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HISTORY 



OF THE 



MAUMEE RIVER BASIN 

Fr(1m the Earliest Account to Its Organization 
INTO Counties 



BY 



ClIAKLliS i:Lllir SLOCUM, M.D., l^i.D., LL.D. 

Mkmukk ok Thk Amf.rican Historical Association. Thk New-England Historic Gknkalogical 

Society. The 'Old Nokthwkst' Gknkalogical Socikty, The Ohio State Akch- 

^ological and Historical Sociktv. Thk Maumee Valley Pioneer 

ANO Historical Association, Etc. 



Il.I.rSTRATED. 



BOWEN & SLOCUM 

Indianapolis 

Toledo 






(wu Copies rttxeiveu 

JUN 20 iWt) 

Couyriicni cjiuy 
I XUVSS 'a- XXc. Nm 

copr b/ 



To ///s Friends 

Of Many Years Continuance 

This Bool< is Dedicated 

By the Author 



Copyright, 1905. 

By chares ELIHU SLOCUM. 

All Rights Reserved. 



CONTENTS 



For reference to Illustrations see the page figures followed with asterisk (*) in the In- 
dex at the close of this volume. For Preface see page vii. 



CHAPTER I. Pagb 

Inthoductory with Table of Counties and Statistics 1 

The Maumee River Basin distinguished from the Maumee Kiver Valley - 
Situation, Latitude and Longitude, Extent in square miles — The former Forest 
— Topography — Climate — Products — Healthfulness — Counties, Principal 

Towns. Population. 

CHAPTER IL 

Geology of the Maumee River Basin 6 

Source of the Rocks — The Geologic Column in comparison with that of 
other parts of Ohio, and elsewhere — Chart — Lacking in several strata — Tren- 
ton Limestone — Natural Gas and Petroleum and theories of their Origin — 
Wells and their Products — Process of Drilling — Rock Water supply — Eleva- 
tions and Depressions of Rock Strata — Early Surface Conditions — Prehistoric 
Drainage Channels — Age of Ice and Theories of Cause — Glacier Markings and 
Extent of — Foreign Rocks brought by Glaciers — Glacier Phenomena and Ef- 
fects — Glacial Lakes, and their Drainage Channels — Time and Duration of 
the Ice Age — Benefits of the Glaciation. 

CH.VPTER III. 
The Earliest Evidences Found of Prehistoric Man -17 

Before, during and subsequent to the Age of Ice — Co-existent with the 
Mastodon and other long-extinct Animals. Prehistoric Stone Implements — Pre- 
historic Mounds and Circles of Earth — The Aborigines as first described — the 
Fiercest Savages known to History. 

CHAPTER IV. 
The First Explorers and Cartographers, The French and British . . . 7.t 

Champlain — French Coureurs rfe So/s — Earliest French Maps — LaSalle 
-Later French Maps — The British-French wars. Wars with the Aborigines, 
and the Fur Trade as an ever-present Incitement — Conspiracy of Chief Nicholas 
against the French — British and French purchase each other's Scalps — The 
British Succession — Conspiracy of Pontiac against the British, and his Capture 
of the western Forts — Armies of Wilkins, Bradstreet and Bouquet against the 
Aborigines — Captives returned to Bouquet — Croghan's successful Peace Mis- 
sion — Fort Miami and Detroit described. KiH-VTOO. 

CHAPTER V. 
Hostilities of Aborigines and British Against the Colonists 124 

The Colonies Impoverished — Rebel against British Impositions — The Rev- 
olutionary War — British form Savage War-parties against Pioneer American 
Settlements, Furnish them Leaders and Supplies, and pay for American Scalps 
brought by them — American Deserters and British Officers often with the Sav- 
ages in their Maraudings — British remove the Less Savage Officers — American 
successes in the Southwest, and Organizations for Civil Government — Futile 



iv CONTENTS. 

plans of Americans against Detroit the headquarters for this Basin — Americans 
Massacre reputed Peaceful Aborigines — Close of Revolutionary War — Aborig- 
ines not satisfied without continual supply of Intoxicants and Excitement — Con- 
tinued Aggression of the British. 17(i()-178'i. 

CHAPTER VI. 
Organization of the Territory Northwest of the Ohio River 152 

Cessions of Claims by States to the United States — Jefferson's plan for Div- 
ision of the West Rejected — Desire for Land in the Territory — Hostilities of 
the Aborigines and Expeditions against them — British Refuse to surrender the 
western Forts according to Treaty at Paris — Treaties with Aborigines disregarded 
by them — Unfriendly action of the Spanish in restricting Navigation of the Mis- 
sissippi leads to Disaffection in Ohio and Kentucky — Further British Aggres- 
sions — Civil and Military Activity — American Efiorts for Peace with the Aborig- 
ines prove futile— Gen. Harmar's Expedition against the Hostiles by the Mau- 
mee and his Defeat by them — Further unsuccessful efiorts for Peace — Gen. St. 
Clair's Expedition against the Savages and his overwhelming Defeat. 1784-1791. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Preparations of the Aborigines, Aided by the British, to Drive the Ameri- 
cans BACK East of the Alleghenies, and for Army to Resist Them . . . 170 

Aborigines would not accept Peace — Gen. Wayne chosen to command 
Northwestern Army — Hamilton County extended to embrace this Basin — More 
unsuccessful Efiorts for Peace, and more Savagery by the Aborigines — The 
largest Councils ever held by the Aborigines, at the mouth of the Auglaise River 
and by the lower Maumee, for Federating them under Direction of the British — 
Advance of Gen. Wayne's army — Further Intrigues of the Spanish and French 
— Wayne builds Forts Greenville and Recovery — British build Fort Miami by 
lower Maumee — Battle of Fort Recovery — Wayne's successful Expedition to 
and along the Maumee — Builds Forts Adams and Defiance — Great daring of 
American Scouts — Yet further Efforts for Peace prove Unavailing — Battle of 
Fallen Timber, a wholesome Defeat of the Aborigines and British — Return of 
army and the Strengthening of Fort Defiance — Fort Wayne built. 1792-rrfl4. 

CHAPTER VIII. 
General Wayne'.s Reports of his Maumee Campaign to the Secretary of War 207 

Report of his March, Forts and Efiorts for Peace — of Battle of Fallen 
Timber — of Correspondence with British Commandant of Fort Miami — Testi- 
mony of Prisoners Criminating the British — Needs of the Northwestern Army — 
of his and Colonel Hamtramck's Diplomacy in turning the Aborigines from the 
British and Favorable to the .Americans — Letters of Colonel Hamtramck from 
Fort Wayne — The Aborigines' first Object-lesson in Fourth of July Celebrating 
— The most Important Treaty at Greenville. 17!)4-179.'i. 

CHAPTER IX. 

TRE.4TIES, Civil Organiz.^tions, Conspiracy of Tecumseh and the British . 236 

Treaty with Spain counteracting Tendency to Secession from the Union of 
Inhabitants west of the Alleghenies — Immigration — Colonel Hamtramck's 
Letters from Fort Wayne concluded — Wampum and its Uses — The Military 
Stations — The British Surrender their Forts in .American territory — Scarcity 
of Food — Wayne County Organized — Death of Gen. Wayne — Gen. Wilkinson 
succeeds to Command of Northwestern Army — Court at Detroit for Wayne 



CONTENTS. V 

County including{this Basin — 'Further Intrigues of France and Spain cause un- 
rest — First Territorial Legislature — Ohio and Indiana Territories Organized — 
Desire for Land, and Land Oflices Ohio Organized as a State — The Louisiana 
I'urchase quiets Secession tendencies Fort Industry — F'urther Treaties with 
Aborigines — Conspiracy of Tecumseh and the 'Prophet' aided by British against 
the Americans — United States Trading Agencies among Aborigines - Battle of 

Tippecanoe. 17i).")-1812. 

CHAI'TEK X. 

The First Year of the War of 1812 .... 208 

Gen. William Hull chosen to command Northwestern Army composed of 
Ohio Soldiers- Builds Forts M'.\rthur. Necessity, Findlay and Miami (No. G) — 
Despoiled by British through his Thoughtlessness — Surrenders Army to British 
without battle — Siege of Fort Wayne by Aborigines — Relieved by Gen. Har- 
rison — Gen. Winchester appointed commander Northwestern Army- British 
force Ketreat before him Forts Barbee, Jennings, Amanda, Winchester, Feree, 
Ball and Stephenson built Gen. Harrison succeeds Gen. Winchester in Com- 
mand and appoints him Commander of Left Wing — Winchester's five Camps at 
Defiance and great Scarcity of F'ood and Clothing at, with much Sickness and 
Death - Gen. Harrison's Report — Winchester's Advance, and Defeat, with 
Massacre, at the River Raisin — Fort Portage built. 

CHAPTER XL 

The Second and Third (Final) 'Vears of the War of 1812 . .... 318 

The Center and Right Wing of Northwestern Array drawn from to Protect 
the Maumee region — Fort Meigs built — Military Supplies increase - Difhculties 
in keeping Army Recruited — Large gathering of Savages by British — Fort Meigs 
Besieged by British and their Savage Allies — Imprudence, Defeat, and Massacre 
of many of Col. Dudley's troops — Siege of Fort Meigs abandoned by British — 
Incidents of Army Life at Fort Meigs — Supplies — Much Sickness and Many 
Deaths at Fort Meigs — FoCirth of July Observance —Fort Seneca built — Second 
(bloodless) Siege of Fort Meigs — Brilliant repulse of British at Fort Stephenson 

— The Naval Squadrons on Lake Erie — Battle and Capture of Entire British 
Squadron — Advance of Northwestern Army into Canada — Defeat of British 
Army at the River Thames — Gen. Harrison goes to Niagara to aid the .\rmy of 
the Center, Returns to Ohio and Resigns Command — Proctor's Selfishness — 
Report of Gen. Gano — More Sickness at Fort Miegs with short Supplies — Re- 
port of Gen. M'Arthur — Treaty closing War of 1812 — All Forts in this Basin 
Abandoned excepting Fort Wayne. 1813-1814. 

CHAPTER XII. 

The Aborigines, Treaties with. Missionaries Among, and Removal of . . 304 

Again turn to Americans to be Fed — Important Treaties with — Expenditures 
for — Number of — Difficulties in Civilizing them — Their Religion — Efforts to 
keep Intoxicants from — Reservations for them and their Captives — Agents for 

— Missionaries among the Aborigines, the F-riends, Presbyterians, Methodists, 
and Baptists — Great Extent of Land Claimed by Aborigines — Wisdom in Con- 
tracting their Range — Further Removal Treaties — United States pays Debts 
for — Vaccination of against Smallpox — Descendants of the Aborigines in Gen- 
eral and in Particular — Cannibalism of —Later Characteristics compared with 
Former — Evil influences of the French and British — Many Fictions promulgat- 
ed and perpetuated regarding — Their Misnaming and Mistraining — Linguistic 



^i CONTENTS. 

Stocks here Represented — Tribes — Had no right to claim Lands for their Con- 
tinuance in Savagery. 1812-1840, 

CHAPTER XUI. 

The Present Drainage System of the Maumee River Basin 443 

Peculiar Courses of the Nine Rivers, and the Causes — Character of the 
Water — The Rivers as Early Thorofares — River Craft —Service of the Rivers 
to the Aborigines and Early Settlers as Food Supply of Fish and Fowl — Changes 
wrought by Clearing the Forest and by Mills — Present Service of for Water- 
supply and as Resorts for Recreation and Pleasure — Description of the Maumee, 
Auglaise, Little Auglaise, St. Mary, St. Joseph, Blanchard, Ottawa of the Au- 
glaise, Ottawa of the Maumee, and of the Tiffin River — Origin of their Names — 
Their Rapids, and former Mills by -Floods — Former Portages to and from — 
Boat building by, and later Commerce along — Toledo Harbor the Best by the 
Great Lakes — Its Shipping, and Shipbuilding. 

CHAPTER XIV. 
TiiK FiKST American Settlers, and the Organization of Counties . . . 513 
First Settlers by the lower Maumee were Driven away by War of 1812 — 
Reminiscences of - Claim Damages of United States jfor Destruction or Use of 
Crops in the War — Survey of the United States Reservations and the Beginning 
of Towns — First Masonic Lodges and Churches — First Newspapers — Wood the 
first County Organized — Waynesfield the Mother Township — Description of 
Site of Defiance in 1792 — First American Settlers at Occupy buildings of Fort 
Winchester — Organization of Williams County with Defiance as seat of Govern- 
ment — Taxes paid by Bounty on Wolf-scalps — Center of Timber Industry in 
Clearing the Forest — First Settlers and Organizations at Fort Wayne and north- 
eastern Indiana, and elsewhere throughout the Basin — The Ohio-Michigan 
Boundary Dispute. 1792-18.")0. 

CHAPTER XV. . 

Development of Communication, Public Lands, Schools, Libraries . . . 579 
First United States Mailroutes and Postoflfices — Public Roads, Ferries, 
Bridges — Survey and Platting of United States Lands — Land Offices — The 
Private and Public Schools — Colleges — The Miami and Erie and the Wabash 
and Erie Canals — The Struggles for their Completion — Their Water-supply 
from the River St. Joseph, the headwaters of the Wabash River, of Loramie aod 
Six-mile Creeks and from the Maumee River — Their Junction — Altitudes — 
Importance of in Clearing the Forest and Developing the New Country — Great 
amount of Freight and Passenger Traffic — As a National Military Highway — 
Enemies of — Cost and Earnings of —Two United States Surveys for their En- 
largement — Speculative and soon-abandoned Towns by — Abandonment of the 
Wabash Canal — The First Railroads — Libraries, Public at Toledo, Perrys- 
burg. Defiance, Fort Wayne, Bryan, Van Wert, Findlay, Lima, Paulding, and 
Private Libraries at Fort Wayne, Defiance, and Toledo. 




Iron, five inches long. Found in Maumee River Basin many years ago. Was used by Aboriyiues 
in spearing fish, and in battle. In Author's Collection. 



PREFACE 



Every river basin possesses characteristics that endow it with 
special interest, and such is particularly the case with The Maumee 
River Basin which is peculiar in its geoloRv, remarkable in its past his- 
tory, beautilul in its landscapes rivers and lakes, and interesting in its 
possibilities. This book has been written to interest and inform those 
dwellers herein who we not already well informed regarding its charac- 
teristics and history, and that all consulting it may be better enabled to 
appreciate the interests and merits appertaining to this favored region. 

From the dawn of its history in the seventeenth century, and prob- 
ably throughout the existence of man in northeastern America, the 
principal rivers of this Basin have been great thoroughfares, within the 
Basin itself and as the most direct route between the northeastern 
Basin of the Great Lakes and the Basin of the Mississippi River. They 
have also often been the scenes of much strife between different tribes 
of Aborigines, even between those of the Iroquois Confederacy of New 
York and the Miamis ot the Maumee and further west, the giants of the 
Aborigines: and twice in the history of the United States this Basin has 
been the headquarters of armies which turned the current of events fav- 
orably to the Union, saving to it from the tightening grasp of Great 
Britain the invaluable territory west of the Allegheny Mountains, to the 
Mississippi River at least. 

The Aborigines and their descendants give prominent coloring to 
the most part of the chronicles, through the efforts of the Europeans to 
involve them in all their quarrels, from the first coming of the French in 
the first half of the seventeenth century, through the long-continued 
British-French warrings, during the British succession, the .'\merican- 
British wars, and until the removal of the trilies beyond the Mississippi 
River in the first half of tlu> nineteenth century. The later record of 
these people here as elsewhere is far from being a pleasant one. It 
continued to be full of savagery, of bloodshed, and of rendings of the 
civilization that would have immeasurably improved their condition had 
thev accepted it: and the saddest part of the record is the aiding, abett- 
ing and prolonging of this savagery by the French and the British partic- 
ularly, and the entailing upon the United States of an evil heritage of 
gigantic proportions in their confirmed evil habits. It has been the de- 
sire of the writer to treat of all these people in the light of authentic 
history rather than in the fictitious way of the sentimentalist. The 
story of the .Vborigines, for the one hundred and fifty years as told on 
these pages, touches every phase of their life, including every phase of 
individual and governmental dealings with them: and the thoughtful 
reader will readily recognize the source of the impulses actuating and 



viii PREFACE. 

I 

continuing their antagonism to civilization and the source and transmis- 
sion of the habit of inebriety which has been the prime factor in the 
continuance of many of their descendants in squalor and wretchedness. 
No other nation has done so much for the amelioration and radical bet- 
terment of the condition of barbaric or savage people as the United 
States has done in general and special efforts from the first for the civ- 
ilization of these Aborigines, the worst of all savages. The most im- 
portant treaties and dealings with them are here given in full as studies 
in the history of the evolution of the ever magnanimous dealings with 
them by the United States. These records, now long out of publica- 
tion, will become of more interest and of greater value to the student 
of Nations and Peoples as the time lengthens into the past. 

The previous writings regarding some of the more common events 
in this Basin have been abundant and often conflicting, involving diffi- 
culty in discrimination. There has not been any desire with the pres- 
ent writer to follow anyone among the vanities of fiction or undue sup- 
position; or in the 'graphic' style for the rounding out of a 'good' 
or oft repeated story to the distraction of the reader's mind from the 
main point, or to the impairment of accuracv. So far as practicable 
original documents and reports, not readily accessible to the general 
reader, are literally presented as possessing a value that no recasting 
can equal.* When necessary, notes or inserts are used to elucidate 
obscure places in the documents and to give them local application. 
Full references to authorities are given for the enquiring reader who de- 
sires to confirm the statements or to pursue the subject further. 
Events distantly relative are briefly treated. 

The purpose of the work has been practical, and its method has 
been largely in consonance with the sentiment of Francis Bacon as ex- 
pressed in his writing on the Advancement of Learning, that "it is the 
true office of history to represent the events themselves together with 
the counsels, and to leave the observations and conclusions thereupon 
to the liberty and faculty of every man's judgment." 

The writer gratefully acknowledges the courtesy shown him by the 
elderly people and those in charge of the different libraries East and 
West from whom he has sought data for this work. He also disclaims 
responsibility for its long rest in the press and for errors that have 
thereby been committed. 

The photographs reproduced in the engravings were generally 
taken by the writer excepting when otherwise mentioned. 

Defiance, Ohio. CHARLES E. SLOCUM. 

*It is probable that many other records of interest in the history of this first ' Northwestern Terri- 
tory' will yet be brought to light from the British. French and Spanish archives, and possibly from the 
bundles of MSS. saved from the British hre of 1814 and now held by different departments at Washing- 
ton. 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN 



cnAPTi:R I. 

Situation - Extent — Climate — Surface Features. 



The Maumri River Basin — tlie territory within the watersheds 
draining thrcivif^h tlu- Maumee RivcT - includes all the regions that are 
drained into the Maumee River throuj^h distant streams as well as the 
lands drained directly by the Maumee ; in other words, it includes the 
Maumee River Valley and the valleys of all streams the waters of 
which immediately, and remotely through other streams, debouch into 
the Maumee River. 

It embraces Northwestern Oliio, Northeastern Indiana, and contig- 
uous parts of Michigan, being situated between parallels 40° 23' and 
42° 5' North Latitude, and between Longitude 6° 20' and 8^ 1.^)' west 
trom Washington, and H3 20' and H'l l.'i west from Greenwich, 
England. 

Its greatest length and breadth are, from north to south about one 
hundred and ten miles, and from east to west about one hundred miles, 
with less extent and irregular outline between these points. The area 
embraced within these limits is near (i.'iOO square miles. 

Previous to its clearing in the nineteenth century, this Basin was 
quite generally covered with dense forest growths which, from the size, 
solidity and variety of the timber, with its nearness to navigable water, 
made it the most valualile of forest regions. 

The conditions were then favorable for all kinds of wild animals, 
large and small, then abounding in this latitude in .America.* 



* The foHowiny is a list of the animals that have become extinct, and the dates of their extinction : 
BadBer. Taxidea americana. 1870; Bear, brown, black or cinnamon, Ursus americanus. 1872; Beaver, 
Castor fiber, 1837; Bison, 'buffalo,' Bison americanus. 1812; Cat, Wild, Lynx rufus, 1866; Deer, red, 
Cariacus v;rg/n/am;s, 1889; Deer, large. Wapiti, Cervus canadensis Erxleben, 1834; Elk, Alee alces. 
1823; Fox, black and silver, and cross. Vulpes vulpes. varieties argentatus and decussatus. 1886: Fox. 
uray. Urocyon cinereo- argentatus. 1896; Lynx, Lynx canadensis. 1840: Otter, Lutra hudsonica. now very 
nearly or «iuite extinct ; Panther, concar or puma, Fe//S conco/or, 18;V); Rat, Wood, Neotoma /loridana. 
1880; Sable, pine martin, Mustela americana. 186.i; Turkey, Wild, Meleagris gallopavo. 188,t: Wolf. 
Cams lupus. 186,5; Wolverine, Culo gulo. about 1825. Probably the Moose also ranged throueh this 
region. The prehistoric animals will be mentioned on later page. See the writer's check-lists of 
mammals, birds, and fishes of The Maumee River Basin. 



2 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASfN. 

There are no hills within or surrounding^ this Basin, nor do its 
horizons present any abrujit lines. The general surface is called flat by 
persons coming from hilly regions. Its glacial plains are, however, in- 
terspersed and abutted by moraines or low ridges which rise gradually 
on the northwest rim of the Basin to an altitude of six hundred and 
fortv-seven feet above Lake Erie which borders it on the northeast, and 
into which it drains, while on the east the highest altitude is two 
hundred and forty-five feet : on the south three hundred and eighty-six 
feet ; and on the west three hundred feet above Lake Erie, which is 
five hundred and seventy-three feet above tide water. The varying 
altitudes throughout the Basin, shown on the morainic map on a later 
page, indicate sufficient slopes for thorough drainage, and to afford 
variety of beautiful landscapes even in its most level parts. 

The climate is here less severe in winter than that experienced a 
few miles to the north, and less variable than that beyond the divide to 
the south. Cold waves and severe storms occasionally announced by 
the United States Weather Bureau as advancing from the West and 
Northwest, do not regularly extend to this region: and when they are felt 
it is in moderated degree. The prevailing winds come from the South- 
west. The snowfall is always moderate in quantity, a foot in depth 
being of rare occurrence in the central part of the Basin, and fifteen 
inches being the greatest depth experienced within the last third of a cen- 
tury at least. Occasionally the fall has been greater near Lake Erie. 
Within this period of time there have been several weeks of fair sleigh- 
ing from frequent light snowfalls in some winters, with ice on the deeper 
waters in extreme to the thickness of thirty inches, succeeded by other 
winters when sleighs could be used but little if at all, and some of these 
winters so mild that ice did not form in sufficient thickness for storing 
for summer use. The temperature observed some years ago for a period 
of ten years showed a mean of 49.55 degrees Fahrenheit, average. 
The mean average fall of rain and snow (melted) during ten years 
observation has been 38.9087 inches. The last few years the precipita- 
tion has not been so great. Careful observations during a great num- 
ber of years may vary these records, as long cycles of time may be 
necessary to show all the extremes in any region. 

The earlier tillers of the soil found it very wet. The clay and solid 
subsoil, which abound in many parts, retained the water without ditches 
and in forest shadows a long time, often throughout the year. On this 
account much of this Basin was termed the Black Swamp, a name 
which was in common application to all of the more level surfaces 
until the last few years. The clearing of the land and the digging of 
large ditches with tributary tile drains, have dried and aerated the soil 
and brought it into good condition for profitable cultivation. The 



INTRODUCTORY. 3 

constituents of the soil are such as to make this a rt^iion of tiieat and 
(luiiiiiU- Icitilitv, with (|uiti- uniform production of tiie varied crops usu- 
all}- cultivated in this latitude, winter wheat, maize (corn), hay, 
potatoes, oats, rye, and barley hein^ the i)rincipai cro]>s. Flax, 
tol)acco, hrooni-corn, sor^liuni, suyar luits, etc., have also been proved 
profitable tor cultivation. 

Good apyiles, peaches, ju-ars, iihuns, and (grapes are i)roduced in 
larjfe (|uantities, and increasing attention is beinti K'iven to the cidtiva- 
tion of various kinds of smaller fruits ; also to market jiardeninj;. 

A ttoodlv number of cattle, horses, ho(.(s, sheep, and latterly goats, 
have been bred, and the numbers are increasing' from year to year, 
showing that the soil and other conditions are well adapted to stock 
raising. Defiance, the central part of the Basin, has also become one 
of the shii)ping i)oints of the largest amount of |)oultry to the New York 
market. 

Svvamii miasms were rife from the first records of this Maumee 
region and during the period of ckaring away the forest, the oi)ening 
of the ground to the direct rays of the sun, during the earlier turnings 
of the soil in its cultivation, and in public works. Ague — intermittent 
fever — in its different forms, and the severer remittent fevers, were 
quite general and severe until the year 1875 in most parts of the Basin ; 
and in the less developed parts these diseases continued for several 
years later. The writer, in the practice of his profession, has treated 
virulent types of these affections in many families where there was not 
a member in good health to nurse those dangerously sick. These 
diseases were most prevalent and severe in dry summers : and the fol- 
lowing winters inflammatory diseases were numerous and virulent on 
account of the weakened condition of the peoiale from the malaria. 
The death rate, although no higher than in other places throughout the 
country, was greater those years than it has since been. In fact, since 
the passing of the swamps and their miasms the healthfulness of this 
Basin ranks very favorably with that of any region in America. Most 
parts have been comparatively free from the severer forms of contagi- 
ous diseases, including tuberculosis. In later years longevity has 
attained a high standard. The death rate averages comparatively low, 
it being by the thousand inhabitants in the year 1901 or 1902 as follows: 

In Ohio for 1901: Ada, 12.03: Bryan, 14.37: Ottawa, 6.80: 
Maumee, 9.1t): Lima, 13.30: Delphos, 14.17: Grand Rapids, 9.11: 
Napoleon, 7.97; Wauseon, 7.91: Fayette, 15.80 : St. Marys, 18.25. 

In Ohio for 1902: Defiance, 8.50: Van Wert, 9.87>^ ; Findlay, 
11.381; Toledo, U.oiyi ; Wapakoneta, 15.33'3. 

In Indiana for 1902: Angola, 8.84,"^: Fort Wavne, 11.50. 



THE COUNTIES COMPOSING THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



Name 



From Whom or 
What Named 



Formed 



From What Taken 



Attached to for 
Government 



1 


Adams, Ind. 


Pres. John Adams 


1886 


Randolph and Allen Counties 


Allen County 


9 


Allen, Ind. 
Allen, Ohio 
Auglaize. Ohio 
Defiance, Ohio 
De Kalb. Ind. 
Fulton. Ohio 
Hancock. Ohio 


Col. John Allen 
Col. John Allen 
Auglaize River 
Fort Defiance 
Baron De Kalb 
Robert Fulton 
John Hancock 


Dec. 17. 1S23 
April 1. 1820 

1848 

March 4, 18-15 

1837 


Randolph and Delaware 

Aborigine Territory 
Allen. Logan, Darke. Shelby. 
Mercer and Van Wert 

Williams, Henry and Paulding 

Allen and Lagrange 

Lucas, Henry and Williams 

Aborigine Territory 




3 

4 


Mercer County 


5 




fi 






Feby. 38, 1850 
April i. 1830 




8 


Wood County 


9 


Hardin, Ohio 


Col. John Hardin 


April I. 1830 


Aborigine Territory 


Logan, Champaign 


10 


Henry. Ohio 


Patrick Henry 


April !. 1820 


Aborigine Territory 


Wood, Williams 


11 


Hillsdale, Mich. 
Lenawee, Mich. 
Lucas, Ohio 
Mercer. Ohio 


Topography 

Aborigine 

Gov. Robert Lucas 

Gen. Hugh Mercer 








)'* 








13 


June . 1835 
April 1, 1830 


Wood County 
.aborigine Territory 




14 


Darke County 


1f> 


Noble. Ind. 
Paulding, Ohio 










16 


John Paulding 


April 1. 1820 


.Aborigine Territory 


Wood, Williams 


17 


Putnam, Ohio 


Gen. Israel Putnam 


April 1, 1H30 


Aborigine Territory 


Wood, Williams 


18 


Seneca. Ohio 


Aborigine Tribe 


April 1, 1820 


Aborigine Territory 




I"^ 


Shelby, Ohio 


Gen. Isaac Shelby 


!8l9 






*>0 


Steuben. Ind. 
Van Wert, Ohio 


Baron Steuben 
Isaac Van Wert 


18;17 


Allen County 
.Aborigine Territory 




21 


April 1. 1830 


Darke and Mercer 


oo 


Wells, Ind. 
Williams, Ohio 


William Wells 
Daniel Williams 








23 


April 1, 1830 


Aborigine Territory 


Wood County 


0.1 


Wood, Ohio 
Wyandot, Ohio 


Col. Eleazer D. Wood 
Aborigine Tribe 


April 1. 1830 
Feby. 3. 1845 


Aborigine Territory 
Crawford. Hancock, Hardin 
and Marion Cos. 




i>r> 










AMERICAN BISON I Bison americanus). 
Became extinct in this Basin about the year 1813, 



WITH SOMETHING OF THEIR DATA. ARE AS FOLLOWS: 





Population 


Part 

IN THE 

Uasim 


Where 
Governed 


H 

B, 

s. 




Ok(;ani/ki) 


1820 


1830 


1»I0 


1R30 


I860 


1870 


1880 


1890 


1900 




IKItU 






2.26-1 


5.7S>7 


9,3.53 


11,382 


15.,385 


20.181 


22,2.32 


3-lths 


Decatur 


4,142 


1 


Dec. 17. 1823 




996 


.').942 


16,919 


29,338 


43,491 


,54,763 


66.689 


77.270 


4-5ths 


Fort Wayne 


4.5.115 


2 


June , 1H31 




r)78 


9.079 


12.109 


19,185 


33,623 


31,314 


40.644 


47.976 


Entire 


Lima 


21,723 


3 


IWH 








11.33H 


17,187 


30,011 


35,444 


28.100 


31.198 


g-lOths 


Wapakoneta 


3,915 


4 


March 4. 1845 








6.96B 


11,886 


15,719 


33,515 


25.769 


26..387 


Entire 


Defiance 


7,657 


5 


1837 






1.968 


8.251 


13,880 


17,167 


30,225 


24.307 


2.5,71 1 


Entire 


Auburn 


3,396 


8 


l-cl>y. 3H, \HM 









7.781 


14,013 


17,789 


21,053 


22.023 


22,801 


Entire 


Wauseon 


2,148 


7 


April 7. IHSX 




813 


9.986 


16,751 


32,886 


3:1,847 


27,784 


42.. 563 


41,993 


,3-4ths 


Findlay 


17,613 


8 


Jany. 3. IS:i3 




210 


4.598 


8,251 


13,570 


18,714 


27,023 


38.939 


31,187 


l-4th 


Kenton 


6,852 


9 


1M4 




262 


2..503 


3.434 


8.901 


1 1,(>>8 


20,585 


25.080 


27,282 


I9-20ths 


Napoleon 


3,639 


10 








7.240 


16, I.V.I 


35.075 


31, (SW 


31,695 


30.660 


29,865 


1-2 


Hillsdale 


4,151 


11 






1.491 


17.889 


20,372 


38,112 


45,,595 


49,324 


48.448 


48,406 


Kith 


Adrian 


9,6,54 


1? 


Juiw: . is:t,-i 






9,382 


12,363 


2.5,831 


46,722 


67,377 


102.296 


153,559 


Entire 


Toledo 


131,822 


13 


April 17, 1S34 




1.110 


8.277 


7,713 


14,104 


17,2.54 


31,808 


27.220 


28.021 


34ths 


Celina 


2,815 


14 








2.702 


7,946 


14,915 


20,389 


22,956 


23.359 


23.533 


l-5th 


Albion 


1,324 


15 


ISill 




1(!1 


l.lKil 


1 jn; 


4,945 


8.1)44 


13,485 


25.932 


27,528 


Entire 


PauldiuK 


2,080 


16 


18;)4 




2;» 


5.189 


7,231 


12,«)8 


17.081 


23,713 


30.188 


32,535 


9-lOths 


Ottawa 


2,322 


17 


April 1. 1824 




.'j.lM 


18.128 


37,104 


30,868 


30.827 


36,947 


40.869 


41,163 


l-20th 


Tiffin 


10,989 


18 


1819 


2,106 


3.671 


12.1.>l 


13,9,58 


17,493 


30.748 


24.137 


34.707 


34,625 


1-lOth 


Sidney 


5.688 


19 


1837 






2.578 


6,104 


10,374 


12.8,54 


14,645 


14.478 


1,5,319 


l-4th 


Angola 


2.141 


20 


1836 




49 


1 .577 


4,793 


10,238 


15.823 


33,038 


39.671 


30,394 


Entire 


Van Wert 


6.422 


21 








1.822 


6,1,52 


10,848 


13.585 


18,442 


31.514 


23,449 


l-20th 


Bluffton 


4.479 


22 


April . 1824 




387 


4.465 


8,018 


16,633 


20.991 


33,831 


24,897 


24,953 


Entire 


Bryan 


3.131 


23 


April 1, 1820 


733 


1.102 


5.357 


9,1,57 


17,886 


24..596 


34,022 


44,,392 


51,555 


l-3rd 


Bowling Green 


5.067 


24 


Feby. 3. 1(^5 








11,194 


15„596 


18.553 


23.395 


21,722 


21,125 


l-15th 


Up'r Sandusky 


3.355 


2S 







^«^fe^.l^ 



-W- 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



CHAPTER II. 
Its Geology — Peculiarities — Valuahi.e Features. 



It is not within the limits of this hook to treat of the geology of the 
Maumee River Basin in detail as discussed technically by geologists. 
The object of the writer is to briefly outline the suliject so that the local 
reader, for whom this work is undertaken, even though he be as yet un- 
interested and uninformed, may get somewhat of a desire, an impetus, 
and a bibliography for further reading. 

The historic period of this region occui)ies but a brief time in chro- 
nologv in comparison with the great length of time which must have 
elapsed during the formation of the topography as seen by the first 
European explorers in the latter half of the seventeenth century. 

The ocean is the mother of continents. The inland State of Ohio 
bears unmistakable evidence of having been covered by the sea during 
the long geologic periods that the rocks of her underlying strata, so far 
as e.\])lored, were formed. The character of these rocks, including the 
fossils found embedded b_\' them, in common with similar formations in 
other parts of the earth, plainly bespeak their epoch in the earth's geo- 
logic history. Animal life in the sea varied in different epochs as well 
as life on the land. The remains were subjected to the continued action 
of the waves, in the more shallow parts, which washed some shells and 
bones into i)lastic recesses, there to become petrified, while others were 
ground into powder to be deposited and cemented to the accretion of 
rock strata. The study and classification of the varying strata and their 
fossils have shown results sufficient to enable geologists to name the 
period of formation of even dislocated fragments of strata wherever 
found. All the rock strata of this Basin were deposited from the 
waters of a sea which is understood as having been an extension of the 
Gulf of Mexico, as its most fossiliferous strata, the Upper Helderberg 
or Corniferous Limestone for example, bear evidences of having been 
deposited from clear waters of troiiic warmth.* 

Study of the accompanying Chart will show the geologic relations 
of the Maumee River Basin to the more complete parts of Ohio, to 
those of other parts of North America, and of Europe. This Chart 
shows that the geological column of this Basin is the shortest of the 



* See the Geological Survey of Ohio. 1890, page 45. 



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M o U 



PECULIARITIES OF THE GEOLOGIC STRATA. 7 

comparatively short structure of Ohio. The jiriiicipal rock strata miss- 
ing in this Basin are the Sub-Carboniferous, the Carbonift-rous, Permian, 
Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, and the Tertiary. The cause for the ab- 
sence here of the rocks of those periods in geologic history is, that at, 
or soon following, the close of the rock ])eriod now represented here, 
this region was elevated above the sea In- some internal agency and 
could not receive any more dejiosits therefrom, while other parts of the 
continent witli later rock strata, remained relatively longer submerged. 
Exposures of the rock Hoor by water erosions and by excavations, and 
of the various underlying strata by cjuarrying, and by deep drillings for 
water, oil and gas, have demonstrated the absence here of the strata 
elsewhere formed during tlie later geologic periods, and determined the 
strata here existing. 

These rock explorations have also brought to light, and to the con- 
sideration of geologists and chemists, features and characteristics of the 
rock strata here existing that have opened new pages in their marvelous 
history. It is thus demonstrated that they have been subjected to vary- 
ing changes, not alone by pressure and chemic action, but by elevation 
and depression, during the epochs since their deposition, as is shown 
by varying densities, crystallizations, by the fossillization of the shells 
and bones that escaped comminution in whole or in part, and by the 
irregularity observed in the strata. 

The lowest rock formation in Ohio exposed in quarrv is supposed 
to be at Point Pleasant, Clermont County. Latterly the rock of this 
quarry has been classed as of the Trenton Period.* 

The discovery of unquestioned Trenton Limestone in Ohio, how- 
ever, was made by drillings in this Basin where it lies from 1000 feet 
on the east to 2000 feet on the northwest below the surface. The 
Trenton is the lowest stratum that has been entered in Ohio. Wells 
have been drilled into it in nearly every county in the Basin with varying 
results as to depth and product. The results of these drillings to the 
depth of and into the Trenton stratum have also been the source of 
surprises to geologists from their yield of Petroleum and Natural Gas, as 
in other particulars. The comparatively level surface of most parts oi 
this Basin had led to the belief that the underh'ing rock strata were 
also level; but these drillings have revealed the surprising fact that the}' 
are characterized by a far greater irregularity of structure, and b}- 
greater suddenness and steepness of dip than the strata of any other 
portion of Ohio. The most marked irregularities have thus far been 
found toward the east side of the Basin where the well records show 
that the strata dip at some points at the rate of three hundred feet to 



* See the Geological Survey of Ohio. vol. i, paee 437. and vol. vi. page 5. 



8 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



the mile. The entire rock floor of this region bears evidence of 
changed conditions from the elevations and depressions to which this 




THK LK\1-,I, I.A.NDSI- All 
LookiiijJ east of north from the Baltimore and Ohio KaiUvay. ami between Sections 35 and 3fi. Dela- 
ware Township. Defiance County, Ohio. October 3IHh, 1901. The while buildiny to the left of the tall 
tree is a United Brethren Church, and the building near the central distance is a Sehool House, both 
about \H miles distant. The Mauinee River flows from left to right on the proximal side of the large 
building on the left in a channel about forty feet in depth. The road in the foreground is a private, 
farm wagonway. 

Basin has been subjected. It is not uncommon to find the strata 
descending at an angle of from two to ten degrees, but the descent is 
not generally long continued, and all irregularities are included in the 
main dip to which they are subordinate.* 

The data of drillings given on another page afford some 
measurements for study of the irregularities of the rock strata in 
dip and, also, in surface abrasion. The lower strata decline toward 
the westward and the upper strata are exposed, mostly in water 
courses and quarries, in the eastern half of the Basin. On the rim 
of the Basin to the east, south and south-east, the Niagara or Lower 
Helderberg formation is uppermost. Along the course of the Maumee 
River to the western line of Lucas County, Ohio, and thence north- 
easterly into Michigan the Hamilton Group, or Upper Devonian, is 
uppermost. To the south of the Maumee for a varying width of from 
twenty-five to thirty miles on the west to two or three miles on the 
north, the Corniferous Limestone, or Upper Helderberg, is the first 
exposed. To the north and west of the Hamilton Group, overlying 
all others is the Ohio Shale, the Huron Shale of the early geologic 
surveys, and this is covered directly by the Glacial Drift of the 
Quarternary Period. 

* See the Geological Survey of Ohio. 1890. page 46. 



NATURAL GAS AND PETROLEUM. 9 

HIkIi pressure Natural Gas was discovered in the Trenton Lime- 
stone at I'indlav wliile drilliuK for water in November, 1884.* 









1 


t 




^H 


/J 



I'.tl^e ot the I'L'Iroleuiu Distiicl. l-iiullay, Ohio, oTit- iiiiiu iimth ot tlit; Blaiichaid KivtM. l-ixikiiiv; 
southeast 1st May. 1903. Tlie Lake Erie & Western Railway in foreRround. Manufactory of Fire-clay 
Pots on rii-ht. Petroleum wells being pumped under the Derricks which serve as supports for tlie Drills. 
Ward School Huildiny to riyht of center, and tower of Findlay Colleire between cluster of Derricks and 
teleyraph pole to left of center. 



In May, 188."), Petroleum was first obtained in quantity- at Lima, 
also in the Trenton Rock, and soon thereafter both gas and oil were 
found in great quantity. These products had been found before 
in various strata, but not with sufficient pressure and quantity in 
this Basin for profit. This large quantity of gas and oil from a Lower 
Silurian Limestone was unexpected. Geologists in common with the 
well-drillers were surprised at the discovery. t 

It was supposed that the deep Ij'ing rocks were too dense to con- 
tain any quantity of fluid. The drills, however, demonstrated high 
degrees of porosity in places, which were estimated as equal to one- 
tenth to one-eighth of the volume of the rock. I 



* Natural Gas pressure has been registered as high as 8tK) pounds to the square inch ; and 
other wells estimated as high as 1000 pounds. 

t See the Geological Survey of Ohio, 1890, page 106. 

tThe Rock Waters of Ohio, Nineteenth Annual Report of the U. S. Geological Survey. 1897-98. 
Part IV, Hydrography, page (540. 



10 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

This porosity is due to chemic reaction and crystallization in the 
rock, the later conditions requiring less space. Thus porosities, 
caverns or ]50ckets are formed, and their size or extent governs the 
quantity of jjas, oil or water obtainable. The drillers 'gas sand' and 
' oil sand ' is composed largely of fragments of this changed rock. 
The elevations and depressions to which the rocks have been subjected 
have, also, contributed fissures and cavities in which these products 
may be stored ; but generally, in this Basin at least, these products are 
found in the natural (crystalline) porosities of the rock. 

The great quantity and value of Petroleum and Natural Gas found 
in this Basin have endowed them and the Trenton Limestone with such 
great interest and imjiortance that lurther i^oints in their story will be 
briefly given. This limestone was given the name of the place of its 
most picturesquely eroded outcrop at Trenton, New York. It gener- 
ally lies deeply buried, but it has outcrops in different States. When 
disintegrated by natural causes, such as rain, frost, heat, wind, etc., it 
])roduces very fertile soil — the Blue Grass region in Kentucky being a 
well known illustration. The numerous deep drillings in this Basin 
have demonstrated that Petroleum and Natural InfTammal)le Gas are 
verv widely distributed in the porosities of the difft'rent strata of its 
rocks, as is the case in other countries. Gas is exhaled from shallow 
water wells, and from the surface of the ground in numerous places, 
even where the uppermost stratum of rock is deeply buried. These 
jiroducts have, however, as yet been found in this Basin in sufficient 
quantity for profit, only in the Trenton Limestone, and at the north- 
eastern, eastern, and southern parts of the Basin — in Lucas, Wood, 
Hancock, Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, and Van Wert Counties. It is dif- 
ferent in other parts of Ohio, and in other States. In Fairfield County 
gas is obtained with high pressure from the Clinton Limestone ; in 
Pennsylvania oil and gas are obtained from the Devonian formations ; 
and the Tertiary formations yield these products in large quantity in 
California, Italy, the Island of Trinidad, and about the Caspian Sea. 

These ]iroducts of the rocks are not of recent origin, nor of rapid 
accumulation. Their formation has been going on during long geologic 
periods, in different parts of the earth. The ruins of Babylon, Nineveh, 
and many other places, evidence by the asphaltic mortar there found, 
that Petroleum was known to the ancient builders thousands of years 
ago. Marco Polo, the Venetian traveler, was probably the first to 
mention, in his writings of the early part of the fourteenth century, 
Natural Inflammable Gas ; and others soon thereafter described ' fire- 
wells ' in the far east. The early white settlers in our Appalachian 
Mountain regions and elsewhere were astonished, and appalled, by 
occasional explosive conflagrations when starting their fires in ravines, 



ORIGIN OF NATURAL GAS AND PETROLEUM. 11 

ami 1)\- ' sprin^js ot watir that woukl l)uin ' from the- exhalation of gas 
or oil, thr orij^in and naluri- ol which was not thun understood. These 
stran^t' exhibitions were productive of sui«-rstitious fear, and served 
to more deeply fix superstitious legends. 

The discovery of hiuh i)ressure Gas and Petroleum in great cjuan- 
tities in .\merica, and their extensive application to the use of man, 
however, are of recent years. The increased supply and application 
of the oil began in l'enns\ Ivaiiia about the year IHfJO, and in West Vir- 
ginia, Ohio, and California, trom lM7t) to IHTf). 

The Natural Gas of some regions is closely associated with Petro- 
leuni and consists largely of marsh gas (CH, ), varying in different 
localities from varying temperatures and its more or less association 
with the lighter ingredients of the oil. The Gas from the Trenton 
Limestone, however, presents more uniformity of constituent parts, 
and it generally contains hydrogen sulphid ( HS ) which is indicative 
of bituminous origin. 




Petroleum Retinery and Storaiie Tanks at Lima. Ohio. Lookinn sontli of west 1st May. 19t)3. The 
Petroletini is transferred to and from the Refinery and Tanks through iijider-croiind Pipe Lines. 

Several theories ha\-e been advanced regarding the origin of 
Petroleum and Natural Gas. .•\ few persons have thought they, or the 
Petroleums particularly, are the product of chemic action among inor- 
ganic substances under great i>ressure r* others have contended that 
thev originate from chemic reactions of the ingredients of animal re- 
mains ; and \et others have held that the chemic reactions producing 
them are among vegetal>le remains. There are additional theories 
regarding their origin. It seems most probable that they result from 
primary or secondary decomposition through Nature's process of 
destructive distillation of both vegetable and animal matter that was 
stored with the rocks at the time of their deposition. t The full nature 



* See the writinus of the French and Russian chemists Berthelot and Mendelejetf. 

t See the writings of Hans Hoefer of the Royal School of Mines, Leoben. Austria; of J. S. 
Newberry, Geological Survey of Ohio. vol. i; of S. F. Peckham in the U. S. Census Reports 1880; of 
T. Sterry Hunt; and G. P, Wells Report of the Trinidad Asphalt. 



12 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

and detail ot this process is not understood, nor the influences that 
inorganic substances exert in the process, if any. The}-, or the 
Petroleums, are complex combinations of chemic elements resulting 
from the decomposition and transformation of organic matter probably 
in connection with thi- inorganic, possibly as catalytics.* They belong 
to the bitumens and the hydrocarbons, with an average proportion of 
the two elements in the mixture of carbon eighty-five and hydrogen 
fifteen to the one hundred. Petroleum is thought to be the first pro- 
duced in Nature's laboratory in the rocks. It is more complex and 
unstable in composition than gas although the elements carbon, hydro- 
gen and oxvgen in varying combinations form both, with occasion- 
ally small quantities of nitrogen, sulphurous gas, (HS) and other 
elements attending. 

The present Petroleum business in northwestern Ohio has been 
summarized as follows ;t 

During the first week in June, 1903, the number of wells com- 
])leted in Wood County was 24; production of Petroleum from these 
wells for the fragmentary part of the week, 710 barrels; number 
of non-i^roducing wells, 2; in Hancock County, 21-670-1; Allen, 27- 
910-1; Auglaize, 1-20-0; Sandusky, 6-180-1; Lucas, '4-20-0 ; Mercer, 
.■.-120-1; Van Wert, 12-310-1; Seneca, 2-45-0; Wyandot, 2-15-1; 
Ottawa, 3-300-1. Total, 107 wells, yielding in the part of week of 
their completion, 3480 barrels, with 9 'Dry Holes.' 

Omitting Wvandot County, the activity in this field during the last 
week in June was: Wells completed, 129; product of these wells, 
4197 barrels; non-productive wells, 9. During this week Allen 
CountN Kd with 28 wells with two dry, and 1120 barrels initial pro- 
duction. 

During the first week in July the report shows Wood County, 23 
wells, 745 barrels, 2 dry holes; Hancock, 26-835-2; Allen, 32-1210-2; 
Auglaize, 3-60-0; Sandusky, 17-310-2; Lucas, 5-105-0; Mercer, 8- 
245-0; Seneca, 2-15-1; Van W.ert, 12-390-2; Wyandot, 2-40-1; Otta- 
wa, 3-110-1. Total, 133-4065-13. 

For the second week of July, 1903: Wood, 40-610-4; Hancock, 
35-1180-5; Allen, 31-960-2; Auglaize, 1-15-0; Sandusky, 8-65-1; 



* Sabatier and Senderens reported to the Academy of Sciences, 26th May, 1903. a theory of subter- 
ranean chemical action amonk' inorganic substances alone as the possible origin of Petroleum. In their 
laboratory experimentations, startinc with acetylene (C2 H2] and hydroyen (H) they, by the aid of finely 
divided nickel and its related metals, obtained a liquid similar to Petroleum. It is only necessary to 
admit that in the depths of the earth are found, diversely distributed, alkaline-earthy metals, as well as 
the carbids of these metals. Water, coming in contact with the former, sets hydrogen free; and with 
the carbids acetylene is set free. These two gases, in variable proportions, meet nickel, cobalt, and iron 
— metals widely diffused in nature — and give rise to reactions that produce the various kinds of Petro- 
leum. This explanation is in harmony with the theories of Berthelot and Mendel^jeff referred to above. 
See Cosmos, 23rd May. 1903. 

t From The Toledo Bee. June 7, 1903, and the Toledo Blade, of various dates in June and July. 



PRODUCTION OF NATURAL GAS AND PETROLEUM. 13 

Lucas, 3-45-0; ML-rccr, 6-120-1 : Seneca, 1-25-0; Van Wert, 8-205-1 ; 
Wyandot, 2-15-0; Ottawa, 2-00-0. Total, 137 wells completed, with 
3300 barrels initial flow of Petroleum, and 14 wells non-productive. 

The process of drillinji wells for Natural Gas and Petroleum, is as 
follows: .\ derrick is erected (see illustration on page 9), and the 
'big hole bit' is used to ojien the way through the Glacial Till to the 
rock, when thi' 'drive pipe' incasing this hole is settled on the rock. 
The heavy drill is now set at work, it being elevated and dropped by a 
rope working over a pulley at the top of the derrick and connected 
with a beam near the ground which is worked h\ a steam engine some- 
what removed from the well to avoid igniting the Gas and Petroleum 
that may be found. Water is added to the hole from time to time if it 
be too dry: and the drill is removed and the bailor is used as often 
as desirable to take the comminuted rock from the hole. If a great 
flow of water is encountered, or large opening in or between the 
strata, a casing-pipe about six inches in diameter is intruded to make 
the well whole and exclude the water, and the drilling is continued. 
When the crystalline rock, forming the 'oil-bearing sand' and Petro- 
leum are found, and the flow is not satisfactory, the well is 'shot' with 
nitro-glycerine. Tliis explosive is lowered carefully to the bottom of 
the well in from three to fifteen tin ' shells' each usually containing 
twentv quarts. A heavy iron, shaped for the jDurpose, and styled a 
' go-devil ' bv the operators, is then dropped upon these shells. The 
explosion which ensues, and which usually causes but little eruption 
of water, stones, mud. Gas and Petroleum above ground, fissures the 
rock and enlarges the chamber at the bottom of the well. This is 
often followed by a good flow of Petroleum. Occasionally the gush is 
so great as to throw the casing out and demolish the derrick, in which 
case a great flood of Petroleum accumulates on the ground before the 
well can be recased and a head put on the casing to control the flow. 
Generally, however, it is necessary to use a pump to obtain the Petro- 
leum, even from nian\ jirofitable wells. 

The Petroleum and Gas Fields present a weird appearance at night 
from the many large Gaslights, burning from pipes and casting deep 
shadows of the derricks and their appurtenances. These lights often 
burn during the day, also, from neglect, or want of convenient stops. 

The magnitude of the Petroleum business of the Buckeye Pipe 
Line Comjiany from all of their wells in northwestern Ohio during 
the first five months of 1903, is reported as follows: January, 1,551,- 
215 barrels shipped, 1,353,40H barrels run through pipes; February, 
1,49H,194-1, 250,337; March, 1,526,041-1,398,348; April, 1,507,108- 
1,303,415; May, 1,597,693-1,386,866. Total, 7,680,252 barrels of ship- 
ments, and 6,687,374 of runs. 



14 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

About ir),(KKt Petroleum and Gas wells have been drilled in Wood 
County. Some of these were non-productive, and many were soon 
apparently exhausted. In March, 1903, about HOOO of these wells 
remained productive and yielding owners of the land at the rate of 
$2,000,000 per year in royalties. The capital invested is about $10,000,000. 

The numerous drillings for Gas and Oil have developed in places 
excellent water supply. It is regretted that more careful observation 
and record were not, and are not, made of the character of the rock 
waters and of the varying depths and conditions of their flow. Most 
of these favorable opportunities for observation regarding water supply 
were unsought, and the flow of water was a hindrance to be overcome 
by casing as soon as possible. Rock strata to be water producing must 
be porous, with large caverns or subways connected with porosities 
or joints ; and a large sujiply of water at a higher level is necessary for 
flowing fountains, and for continuous supply at the well. The Niagara 
Limestone often affords a liberal supply of stored water. It has numer- 
ous seams and joints open sufficiently for this purpose. The Onondaga 
Limestone, however, accommodates some of the most noted springs 
from its larger channels. The Devonian series also affords in places a 
good quantitv of water, but it is often highly mineralized by solution of 
iron pyrites (iron sulphid, FeS), calcium, sodium, aluminum, mag- 
nesium, and potassium, carbonates and sulphates. The iron in the 
Corniferous Limestone usually comes from the overlying Ohio Shale. 
At greater depths, below 100 feet, and generally below 1000 feet for 
quantity, the water often contains chlorids, sodium chlorid (table salt) 
predominating in such quantity as to make the water unpotable. Par- 
ticularly is this the case in the Trenton Limestone. Such water flowing 
in quantity, formerly stopped the drilling in quest of Petroleum : but 
pumping, or casing off the water, and deeper drilling sometimes secures 
a good oil well. In the Gas and Oil regions the upper surface of the 
Trenton -Rock varies from about 1000 to about 1400 feet below the 
surface of the ground ; and many productive wells extend but a com- 
paratively few feet into this rock — from 200 to 450 feet below the sur- 
face of tide water (the level of the Atlantic Ocean). 

The great increase in the number of Petroleum and Gas wells 
about the city of Findlay, and particularly above and along the Blan- 
chard River from which the water supply has been largely obtained, 
has led to intolerable pollution of the water in the ditches, creeks, and 
river, by the pumpings from these deep wells of great quantities of 
water highly charged with the mineral salts before mentioned, and by 
impure Petroleum. 

This pollution became so general that a new source of potable 
and culinary water supply became imperative. Upon consideration of 



THE GEOLOGIC STRATA AND POTABLE WATER. 15 

thu subject, tlu' 'Limtstonc Rid^o ' about ti-n mik's southeast of 
P'indlay was chosen as the most i>iacticable and desiral)le source for 
this sujiply : and in the sjirin^ of litOiS, work bet;an foi the laying of a 
lint' of i;"ia/.ed cla\' i>iiH , thirtv iiiclus in diameter, Irom the l'"india\- 
Water Works southeastward to tliis Limestone Kid^e for th(.- pur- 
pose of conducting; to the city, by gravity, water irom wells at this 
])oint. 

This Limestone Ridjfe, which extends northeast-southwest 
throufih Amanda and l!in Lick Townsliips, Hancock County, as part 
of the irregular sinus between the 1 )eliance and St. Mary Moraine's, is 
but a few^ fet't above the countr\- to the eastward, and somewhat more 
above the land to the westward and northwestward which was formerly 
swam])v. It is based on the Niagara Limestone which is here upjier- 
most and affords good potable water, constantly flowing from springs 
near the liase of tin- Ridge and from wells on the Ridge of varying 
dei)ths, Irom those to the level of the land to the west down to l.'iO 
feet. The water supjily hert' is supjiosed to l^e sufficient : but the 
place of its source, or fountain head, is unknown. 

In the year 1875 a persistent drilling for artesian water in the Court 
House Square, Fort Wayne, Indiana, i)enetrated the following strata, 
viz: Drift, 88 feet; Niagara Limestones, 802; Hudson Shales, gray, 
260; Utica Shales, black, 2(H); and into the Trenton Limestone, Li90 
feet. The surface of the ground hers is 772 feet above sea level, and 
this well of 3000 feet depth extends 2228 feet below sea level. Good 
drinking water w-as obtained by means of a strong pump. From a later 
well of far less depth drilled near the Maumee River, there has been a 
constant flow of good potable water. Neither Gas nor Oil was obtained 
from these wells. ' 

A well drilled in the year 1886, in the Coe Run Glen at Defiance, 
the center of the Basin, has the following strata record : Drift, 18 feet; 
Ohio Shale, 60: Devonian and Upper Silurian Limestones, 850; 
Niagara Shale, 52 : Clinton Limestone, 60 ; Medina, Hudson River 
and Utica Shales, 630 : Trenton Limestone struck at 1670 feet, or 
about 975 feet lielow tide water. A small quantity of Gas and Oil was 
yielded. There has since lieen constant and full flow of clear, potable 
w-ater, slightly sulphureted. At Deshler, twenty-five miles east, a well 
drilled in 1886-87 ran through the strata as follows : Drift, 71 feet ; 
Limestone, 610 ; Niagara Shale, 5 ; Clinton Limestone, 95 ; Shales, 
700 : Trenton Limestone found at 1485 feet, 765 below tide water. 
This well was continued 115 feet into the Trenton Rock with but slight 
yield of Gas.t 



* See Sixteenth Annual Report Indiana Geology, pace 127. 
t See Geological Survey of Ohio, vol. vi, pages 2.V2. 253, 



76 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Later wells have shown l)ut little variation in thickness of strata 
other than of Drift or Glacial Till which averajfes from forty to fifty 
feet in thickness in the central part of the Basin. 

The varying composition of the rocks may be stated as follows : 
Calcium (lime) carbonate from 50 to 95 per cent : Magnesium carbon- 
ate, from to 50 per cent ; Silica (sand) generally physically blended, 
and in cherty cryptocrystalline (flinty) form, from to 25 per cent; 
Iron and Alumina from to 7 per cent ; Insoluble Residue, from a 
trace to 10 per cent. 

Following its elevation from the sea this Basin evidently attained 
a considerable altitude, estimated at from three hundred to four hundred 
feet or more, higher than it is at present ; and it remained thus ele- 
vated during a great length of time, as evidenced by deep erosions in 
the rock — probably through the periods before mentioned to the 
Quarternary period.* 

Whether these geologic periods occujjied sixty million of years or 
but fifty million, is material to us in this connection only to impress 
our minds with the immensity of geologic time, and the consequently 
great amount of rock disintegration, and erosion, that the elements had 
time to effect. There were probably several elevations and depressions 
during these and succeeding periods. t 

As yet but little has been determined regarding the character and 
conditions of the surface of this Basin during the changing periods of its 
elevations and subsidencies, and of the system of drainage channels. 
Many careful and intelligent observations, and records, must needs be 
made of drillings throughout the Basin, through the overlying mantle of 



* See the Geolocic Chart facing page 7. 

t The many and marked chances in altitude that have occurred in different parts of the earth 
have led to the theory that the exterior of the earth is but a comparatively thin crust, variously esti- 
mated at from twenty-five to fifty or one hundred miles, surrounding a molten interior ; and that the 
cooling of the inner surface of this crust causes its contraction which, in turn, produces depressions in 
some parts of the exterior surface, and uplifts in other parts from lateral pressure. Other eeolOEists 
hold to the theory that the earth is a solid. This process of corrugation is usually slow, but it is much 
faster in some places and under certain conditions than others. Clianges in the relative altitude of 
different parts of the earth's surface is still being effected as formerly, sinking in some parts and rising 
in others. It is estimated that the rock strata at the eastern end of Lake Erie are yet rising and that 
the Lake is thereby increasing in depth. It is evident that the Lake is now higher than formerly from 
the fact of the submerged caves of its islands containing bones of land animals that undoubtedly once 
lived therein ; and from the deep mouths of drowned river tributaries, the channels of which bear evi- 
dence of running water erosions that could only have occurred at a lower stage of the Lake or during 
elevation of the river valleys. (See articles regarding earth movement in this region by B. F. Taylor 
in Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, vol. 46, 1897; by G, K. 
Gilbert in the IStii Annual Report o/ the U. S. Geological Survey, etc.) The land south of Hudson 
Bay is now higher than when first records were made. The preglacial elevation of the Saguenay 
region, Canada, appears from the depth of its fiord to have been at one time at least one thousand feet 
higher than now. The depth of the submarine fiord at the mouth of the Hudson River indicates that 
the vicinity of New York and Philadelphia at one time stood two thousand and eight hundred feet above 
the present sea level, and that they afterward sank sixteen hundred feet. See the Appendix to The Ice 
Age in North America by G. Frederick Wright, 1891 ; American Journal of Science. June. 1885. For 
account of remarkable upliftings of land in Europe, see Prof. James Geikie's Prehistoric Europe. 



PREGLACIAL DRAINAGE CHANNELS. 11 

earth and into the underlyinK rocks before sufficient and satisfactory 
evidence regarding this subject can be accumulated. The discover^' of 
large quantities of Petroleum in the southern part of the Basin, and the 
impetus therebj' given to will-drilling, has opened up the subject of 
such early or pre-glacial drainage and its deep-channel erosions, in a 
most interesting way by demonstrating the fact of a deeply eroded 
channel in the rocks underlying Shelby, Auglaize and Mercer Counties, 
Ohio, and Adams, Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana.* This deep 
channel ])n)bal)ly has further extensions to be determined in the future; 
and other like channels will doubtless be discovered, and it is hoped 
that most careful observations will be noted at every opportunity. The 
northern branch of this buried channel is found at Anna south of Wapa- 
koneta, with dei)th of live hundred and fourteen feet below the surface 
of the ground, and in places about three hundred and seventy feet 
deeper than the upper face of the rock within a mile to the north and 
south of the channel. A southern branch exists a little west of Berlin. 
Following their course northwestwardly, they are found to unite 
under the large Canal Reservoir in Mercer County, and thence to continue 
as one channel northward to Rockford on the St. Mary River, thence west 
into Adams County, Indiana, thence southwest, crossing under the 
Wabash River at about a right angle, and under Geneva, and thence 
near Pennville, and on to near the center of Blackford County where a 
tributary is received. The rock floor of this channel varies from about 
fifty feet below the present water level of Lake Erie to something over 
one hundred feet below in the channel's western explored part. There 
may be several causes for the variation of this channel's apparent bed. 
Rocks carried before the glacier the detritus of which filled this channel, 
may have been taken as its true bottom; something of a pothole ma}- 
have been entered by the drill in other parts, or a fissure of the dis- 
turbed strata; or the floor of the channel may have been unevenly 
raised or depressed by the changes of the earth's crust. The walls of 
this channel are generally sloping; but the drill discovered a nearly 
vertical wall near the City of St. Marys. The width of the channel 
could be only approximately determined by the places drilled: but it 
appears to be about one mile — with no place narrower than three- 
quarters of a mile — and widening to one mile and a half under the Grand 
Reservoir and at Rockford. The erosion of this channel at Anna 
extends entirely through the Niagara and Clinton Limestones, and into 
the Medina or Hudson Shales. t 



*See the article on "A Deei) Pre-GIacial Channel in Western Ohio and Eastern Indiana," by J. A. 
Bownocker, in The American Geologist for March, 1H99, vol, xxiii. page ITS. Also the pamphlet 
entitled The Preglacial Drainage of Ohio. Special; Print No, 3, Ohio State .Academy of Science. 
December, 1900, 

t For mention of buried river channels in other parts of Ohio, see the Geological Survey of Ohio, 
volumes i and ii. 



18 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



This ancient water-way bears evidence of long-time erosion by a 
considerable stream of rapid flowing water, and some data has been 
adduced indicating that this was the ancient channel of the Kanawha 
River. Water well drilling indicates a similar channel in the rock in 
Delaware Township, Defiance County.* 

The depth of soil accumulated within the territory of the present 
Maumee River Basin in preglacial times, by the decomposition of the 
rock surface from water, frost, sun, wind and other of Nature's agencies, 
and the full character and extent of vegetable and animal life that existed 
here during those long periods of time, will never be known. 

In the Ouarternary or Post Tertiary Period, a most remarkable and 
important change occurred which again subjected different, and some- 
what variant, parts of the earth's crust to like geologic conditions. 
This Basin, in common with the northern and southwestern parts of Ohio, 




Glacial Groovin«s in the Bed Rock ot KelU-> Island, Lake Erie. This small part, with overlying 
Drift, was saved from Rock Uuarriers by the Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio. 



many other parts of North America, and of the Eastern Continent, was 
overrun by heavy masses of ice. There is abundant evidence of this 
powerful ice invasion in the vast quantities of finely ground and mixed 
rock material of different kinds, in scratchings and groovings still 
existing in the rock floor, in the presence of scattered granite, igneous, 
or archaean boulders which are foreign to all rocks native to Ohio, yet 
exposed as shown on the Chart facing page 7. These erratic, lost, or 



* Persons desiring to study the effects of long continued action of water, and weather, on rocks 
should visit the plateau and canyons of the Colorado River, in Arizona. Before making this visit one 
should read Explorations of the Colorado River of the West, by Messrs. Ives and Newberry, 1861 ; E.\- 
ploration of the Colorado River of the West, by J, W. Powell, 1H75: and Tertiary History of the Grand 
Canyon of the Colorado, by Captain Dutton in Monograph II U. S. Geological Survey. 1SS2. Also The 
Preglacial Drainage of Ohio. Special Paper No. 3, Ohio State Academy of Science, December, 1900. 



GLACIAL GROOVINGS AND GLACIAL EPOCHS. 



19 



fonifin boulders are recognized as liavinsi been transported hundreds 
of miles from the north and northeast. The most extensive and 
remarkable ^roovings yet found in the rocks near this Basin, evidi-nc- 
infj movement of a s^lacier bearing hard rocks firmly embedded in its 
substance, is on Ki 11\ Island in Lake ICrie. But a small section of 
these groovinfis has been jsreserved bv the Western Reserve Historical 
Society, Cleveland, from the destructive hands of rock quarriers. These 
dei|) and extensive fjrooves may have been partly formed by water 
erosions, and the effects of the >,daciers were to enlarge, mold and 




Glacial Grooves in Granite Boulder in hiiih Channel of Mauinee River, Defiance County. Ohio. 
Lookinc southeast, ISth October, 1S»1. 



polish them to produce the remarkable result shown in the accompanv- 
ing engraving. Numerous other scratchings of less depth and extent, 
and with varying bearings, have befn exposed in the rock floor in dif- 
ferent parts of the Basin: and many of the erratic boulders found above 
and within the ground-uj) mixed drift, still bear evidence of the great 
grindings and scratchings to which they were subjected. 

Six Glacial Epochs, with alternating Interglacial Epochs, charac- 
terize the past glacial succession, Ice Period or Age, of Europe.* 

• The Great Ice Age. by James Geikie, 3rd Edition, 1896, pace 607. In the tTnited States GeoIoB- 
ical Survey, Monograph XLI. Washington, 1V)(>2, Eleven Epochs or Stages of the Glacial Period are 
enumerated as having occurred in and surrounding this Basin, 



20 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



These are evidenced by different glacial groovings in the rocks, 
water channel erosions between layers, changes in flora and fauna 
according to the alternations of climate shown in buried forests and 
animal remains in varying strata, peat bogs, etc. American geologists 
are not entirely agreed regarding the number and character of the 
Glacial Epochs in North America, particularly regarding the time and 
extent of deglaciation in the interglacial tpoch or epochs. The 
area covered by the ice is vast, and the field work has been limited. 
More time must be given to active workers in which to accumulate and 
fully consider the evidences found in all parts of the glaciated area. 
Much has already been accomplished, however, in a general way, and 
careful work has been done in some local areas. The following group- 
ings of Glacial Epochs, by Prof. T. C. Chamberlin,* embrace different 
interpretations entertained by experienced geologic field workers who 
believe in the differentiation of the Glacial Drift series. The upper 
la_yer, at least, of the Drift in the Maumee River Basin has been 
assigned to a dependency', glacial lobe, or retreatal oscillations, of the 
Wisconsin stage, reference to which will be again made : 

FIRST GROUPING ON A TWOFOLD BASIS 

Unknown 



1. Concealed under-series {theoretical} 

2. Kansan stage of elaciation t 

3. First interval of deglaciation 

4. East-Iowan stage of glaciation 

5. Second interval of deglaciation 

6. East-Wisconsin stage of glaciation 

7. Retreatal oscillations of undetermined importance 



I" Early glacial epoch 



Chief interglacial ciioch 
> Later glacial epoch 



Glacial 
Period 



SECOND GROUPING ON A TWOFOLD BASIS. 



1. Concealed under-series (theoretical) 

3. Kansan stage of glaciation 

3. First interval of deglaciation 

4. East-Iowan stage of glaciation 

5. Second interval of deglaciation 

6. East-Wisconsin stage of glaciation 

7. Retreatal oscillations of undetermined importance 



Unknown 

Early glacial epoch 

Chief interglacial epoch 

1 

)■ Later glacial epoch 
I 

J 



Glacial 
Period 



GROUPING ON A THREEFOLD BASIS. 



1. Concealed under-series (theoretical). 

2. Kansan stage of glaciation. 

3. First interval of deglaciation. 

4. East-Iowan stage of glaciation. 

5. Second interval of deglaciation. 

6. East- Wisconsin stage of glaciation. 

7. Later oscillations of undetermined 

importance. 



Unknown. 
First (represented) glacial epoch 
First interglacial epocli 
Second glacial epoch 
Second interglacial epoch 
( Third glacial epoch 
■I embracing possibly 
I a fourth glacial epoch 



Glacial 
Period. 



* The Great Ice Age, by James Geikie. pages 773 and 774. 

t This first stage is, probably, more properly termed the Illinoian. It reached its most southern 
limit in that State. See T. C. Chamberlin's article in the Journal of Geology, vol. iv, 1S%, pages 
872 to 876. 



THE ICE AGE IN AMERICA AND ITS CAUSE. 21 

The general conclusions regarding the Ice Age in America and 
Europe, harmonize, and the above grouping of the ice period in 
America on a three-fojd basis runs quite closely parallel to the evidences 
of successive stages of glaciation apparent in Europe. In both coun- 
tries the maximum glaciation, in extent, occurred at an early stage of 
the Period.* 

Louis Agassiz, late of Cambridge, Massachusetts, was the first to 
announce a past Glacial Period in geologic history. This he did be- 
fore the Helvetic Society of Natural History in 18.37. In 1840 he pre- 
sinti tl the subject before the British Association for the Advancement 
of Science and, later in the same year, before the Geological Society of 
London. Since that time geologists have generally agreed regarding 
the former existence of such Period in parts of the earth which have 
long since been of temperate climate, and been sustaining large popu- 
lations. Professor Edward Hitchcock, in April, 1841, t was the first in 
America to accept and apply the glacial theory to the Eastern United 
States. 

There have been, however, diversity of opinions regarding the 
cause of the climate that produced the glaciers that overran these 
rt-gions. That eminent English geologist, Sir Charles Lyellt advanced 
the theory of changes in the distribution of land and water, and eleva- 
tion of great expanses of land at or toward the North Pole, as the 
cause of glaciers. Sir John Herschel in 1832, M. Adhemar in 1840, 
and notably Doctor James Croll in 18G4, suggested astronomic causes 
for the variations in glacier accumulations and dissipations. The ele- 
vation of the Northern lands that was in progress during the Tertiarj' 
era is naturally a favorite theory with geologists in general in explan- 
ation of the cause of the great glaciers that overran Ohio and other 
States; and adherents to the theory have probablj^ been increasing in 
number during late years that oscillations of the earth's surface was the 
chief cause of the oscillations of these glaciers.il Doctor James Croll, § 
Professor James Geikie,! and Sir Robert Ball,** hold that it is more 
probable that the relative changes in the land and sea level were due to 
the alternate appearance and disappearance of the great snow-fields 



* The Great Ice Age, by James Geikie, page 774. 

t In his address as retirini; President at the second annual meeting of the Association of American 
Geolodisls arid Naturalists, held in Philadelphia. 

t Principles of Geology. 18.10. chapters vii and viii. and Elements of Geology, sixth edition, 1868. 
chapters xi and xii. 

II See the Ice Age of North America, third edition, 1891. by G. Frederick Wright; also his smaller 
book on Man and the Glacial Period, second edition. 1896. D. Appleton & Co., New York. 

8 In his books on Climate and Time, and Climate and Cosmology. 

H The Great Ice Age. third edition, 1896. 

** The Cause of an Ice Age. 1897. D. Appleton & Company, publishers. 



22 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

and ice-covfrings : that it is improhahle that such vast portions of the 
earth's crust were uplifted thousands of feet and equally depressed 
again and again with sufficient frequency to account for the complex 
alternation of cold and warm epochs, as is shown to have been the case 
by the northern deposits of southern marine and other animal life, and 
the growth of forests, during the interglacial epochs. In brief, their 
theory is that the climatic changes of the glacial epochs resulted from 
the combined influence of the precession of the equinoxes and secular 
changes in the eccentricity of the earth's orbit. 

According to the theory and computations of Doctor CroU, the last 
great cycle of eccentricity, to which he assigned the Glacial Period, be- 
gan about 240,000 years ago and lasted 160,000 years, thus terminating 
about bO,000 years ago for the more strongly contrasted glacial and 
interglacial epochs. Others have varied but little from these computa- 
tions. G. K. Gilbert, G. Frederick Wright, Warren Upham and others 
incline to the opinion, however, that the last ice sheet disappeared from 
the lower lake region about six thousand to ten thousand years ago, 
judging from the Niagara River Gorge, other gorges, the character of 
certain glacial deposits, etc.; and that this recent time, together with 
the want of evidence of glaciation in the Tertiary and former Eras, 
militates against the astronomic theory of causation. Sir Robert Ball, 
on the other hand, exploits the astronomic theory as the most complete 
explanation of the cause and, in corroboration, advances an 'accurate 
law' by which the distribution and retention of heat is regulated in the 
alternation of climatic zones between the earth's hemispheres. By this 
law he 'corrects and supplements' the theories of Sir John Herschel 
and Doctor James Croll. None of the more definite, and more exclus- 
ive, theories of causation, however, have fully borne the test of general 
consideration. It is probable that the various elements affecting 
climate, geographic, atmospheric and astronomic, are so well balanced 
that untoward influences affecting and holding a comparatively slight 
change or maladjustment might produce serious climatic effects, even 
to a period of ice in our present temperate zone.* 

All agree that a simple low temperature will not produce a glacier. 
Snow in great quantity is necessary for such formation; in addition to 
the shortened summer and increased length of winter there was a cold 
under-current of air passing from North to South, and currents of 
warmer, mist-laden upper strata of air passing from the South to the 
North, causing an unusually great amount of snow — a quantity in ex- 
cess of melting power of the sun, but which melted sufficiently during 
the short summer of each year to aggregate the glaciers, and this great 



* See Professor Herman L, Fairchild's Address, Proceedings of the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science. 1898. vol. xlvii. page 27U et sequeniia. 



THE GLACIATED AREA AND ITS SOUTH LINE. 25 

amount of moisture thus congealed on the land, produced a change in 
the ocean level by depressing the land or attracting the ocean from 
southern latitudes, or both. Great accumulation of snow and ice from 
its partial melting and its weight, has been in progress towards the 
South Pole for many years, and theories of grave results to present 
temperate latitudes have been adduced therefrom. 

The area covered by these ice sheets is, in North America, about 
four million square miles, and in Europe about one-half this extent. 
Beginning in Labrador and south of Hudson Bay, as probable chief 
centers of the American ice distribution, the general course of the prin- 
cipal glaciating mass was to the south and east in the Eastern States, 
extending as far south as Long Island, to New York City, then the 
extreme southern limit in the East, excepting narrow extensions down 
drainage channels, and assuming a general northwesterly course through 
New Jersey and Pennsylvania to near Southwestern New York, thence 
in a general southwesterly course through Pennsylvania and the south- 
ern edge, ranging through Ohio near Canton, Danville, Newark, Chilli- 
cothe and Winchester to near the Ohio River, which is crossed from 
Clermont County: thence extending near this river to Cincinnati, thence 
southwest in a varying line which is crossed and recrosscd bv the Ohio, 
to near Louisville, where the boundary turns to the northward at about 
a right angle and extends to within a few miles of Indianapolis, where 
it again turns to the southwest, crossing the Wabash River at New 
Harmony into Illinois and reaching the most southern limit about fifty 
miles north of Cairo, whence it again turns to the northwest, extending 
nearly parallel to the Mississippi River and a few miles distant from it, 
to within a few miles of St. Louis, where it crosses this river and ex- 
tends westward along or within a few miles of the Missouri River, en- 
tering Kansas a little south of Kansas City and continuing nearly west 
a hundred miles to near Topeka, thence northward across Nebraska 
approximating the Missouri River, and crossing the south line of South 
Dakota near the mouth of the Niobrara River, thence along the west 
bank of the Missouri to the mouth of the Cheyenne River, and thence 
westward.* 

The marks of the glacier, and rocks transported by it, are found 
near, if not quite on, the top of Mount Washmgton, the present high- 
est point in New England, 6347 feet above the sea, also at the tops of 
the other highest mountains in its course. The question of the force 
necessary to propel the ice over these great heights, if they were so 
high at the time of the glaciers, and to propel it so far from the north- 
ern places of distribution, has given rise to interesting inquiries regard- 



* See The Ice Age in North America, by G. F. Wright, ihird edition, I89I, page I2t> er seq. 



^4 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

ing the thickness of the ice sheets and the character of the propelling 
force. About the year 1861 Professor Louis Agassiz, in a conversation 
with Professor J. P. Lesley, stated as his opinion, from studies of the 
movements of existing glaciers, that such masses of ice could not go 
over a barrier unless its extent above the crest of the barrier be at least 
one-half of the height of the barrier.* It is readily seen that moun- 
tains which bear on their summits glacial markings or rocks foreign to 
the locality, serve as glaciometers, and are among the best means of 
approximating the thickness of the ice sheet. This evidence with the 
hundreds of miles distance to the terminal moraines and glacial mark- 
ings south and west from the northern centers of the glacier distri- 
bution, signify a necessary thickness of thousands of feet to the 
northern ice. Estimated from slopes of existing glaciers, the thickness 
of the glacier over Lake Erie has been computed to have been about 
eleven thousand feet, and that part north of Lake Superior thirty thou- 
sand feet.t Ice will move of its own weight, and particularly glaciers 
composed of crystals or 'glacier-grains' formed as they are, from 
snow. When the most solid parts of ice are exposed in a glacier to a 
peculiarly violent strain, its limited plasticity necessitates the formation 
of countless minute rents, and the internally bruised surfaces are forced 
to slide over one another, simulating a fluid character in the motion of 
the parts so affected. Reconsolidation of the bruised glacial substance 
into a coherent whole may be more or less effected by pressure alone 
similar to its effect upon granular snow, and upon ice softened by im- 
minent thaw into a condition more plastic than ice at lower tempera- 
ture.! Doctor Heimll has estimated that the average annual flow of 
the glaciers of Switzerland and Norway, and the smallest of the Green- 
landic glaciers, ranges between one hundred and thirty and three hun- 
dred and thirty feet. The great glacial tongues that are protruded from 
the inland ice of Greenland move on an average in summer not less 
than fifty feet in twenty-four hours with often great declivity to the land 
and the open sea as a strong frontal attracting force. In mountainous 
countries the movement is accelerated by the declivity. Undoubtedly 
the movement of the glaciers that invaded this level region was far 
slower than the minimum above given. Doctor Geikie states that 'in 
many cases glaciers flow no faster than from three or four to eighteen 
inches a day, while in others the rate exceeds four feet in twenty-four 
hours.' 



* Second Geological Survey oj Pennsylvania, vol. Z. paee xiv. Wright's The Ice Age of North 
America, page 167. 

t The Ice Age of North America, 3rd edition, page 173. 

t See ]^mes D. Forbes' Occasional Papers on the Theory of Glaciers, page xvi; The Great Ice 
Age. by James Geikie, page 31 ; The Ice Age in North America, by G. F. Wright, etc. 

II HSndbucl^der Cletscherkunde. quoted in Geikies The Great Ice Age. page 36. 



PHENOMENA ATTENDING MOVEMENT OF GLACIER. 25 

The phenomena attending the formation and movements of glaciers 
are endowed with several of Nature's laws of great interest. They 
have been studied by many geologists and physicists during later years 
not only in tlu- effects of the past glaciers, but in the active processes 
of existing glaciers in Alaska, Greenland, the Alps, and others. From 
these studies we understand that the center for the formation of the 
glaciers that overran this region was on the most elevated points to the 
north and eastward ; that during their formation they became firmly at- 
tached to the earth and rocks, which in much of the movements of the 
ice worked upward through its heights; that as the ice volume increased 
and advanced, filling the valleys and creeping up the hills and moun- 
tains, the accumulation of crushed and resisting rocks increased; that 




A Front of tlie Muir Glacier in Alaska a few years aye. From Gates' Tours. 



avalanches from the higher peaks and ridges brought frt(|uent and 
material additions of snow, ice, earth and rocks down upon its surface; 
that it amassed to thousands of feet in thickness and, with its enor- 
mous weight, it was irresistibly impelled forward, carrying before and 
under it ridges and hills of earth: grinding and mixing the softer rocks 
into their component parts of lime, sand, gravel and clay; smoothing 
and grooving furrows in and by the more solid parts; filling deep water 
ways with this broken and ground material and thus changing the for- 
mer drainage systems ; creeping up and over the hills and mountains 
that withstood its force; dipping and scouring the bed of Lake Erie; 
moving along over the rocky elevations to the south and westward and 



26 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

leaving in its course a litter of detritus from its mill-like and mixing 
action, much being loosened by friction and by the melting of the ice 
and by the water that trickled through its crevices, but principally by 
the arrest of the glacier's progress and its dissipation by climatic 
changes, as the forward part of the glaciers in level regions possessed 
the greatest amount of detritus from their plowing and pushing every- 
thing movable before them, and from the constant dropping of the ac- 
cumulations from the melting ice above. 

Ridges of this ground up or transported material left by glaciers 
are called Moraines; and it is readily understood from the former state- 
ment that, later action of water being equal, the Terminal Moraine or, 
rather, the place where the front of the glacier rested the longest, 
would be the highest. The last glacier, usually connected with the last 
(often called Wisconsin) stage, that covered the Huron -Erie region 
was divided along its southern border into five lobes, tongues or 
fingers, which projected from the main mass.* The Western Erie or 
Maumee and Wabash lobe, which covered, and formed, the Maumee 
River Basin, moved in a southwesterly direction as shown by scratch- 
ings and groovings in the bed rocks. Markings of four distinct ice 
movementst have been observed on the islands in the west part of 
Lake Erie, but only those attributed to the third movement will be 
mentioned here, further than a few intersecting. The direction of 
these grooves vary somewhat according to the obstructions met and 
the flexibility of the ice. The table on opposite page shows location 
and direction of the principal groovings observed by members of the 
Ohio Geological Corps. t 

The Terminal Moraine of this Erie or Maumee Basin Glacier was 
thought by G. K. Gilbert in 1871 to be the St. Joseph-St. Mary 
Moraine II shown on the map page 28; but Professor T. C. Chamber- 
lin's survey § locates the Terminal Moraine proper, or extreme limit of 
this glacial lobe, near the southwestern border of Indiana. The highest 
moraines near the Maumee River Basin are those forming its north- 
western and western borders, in Hillsdale County, Michigan, and in 
Steuben and De Kalb Counties, Indiana. There are in this region a 
confusion of moraines from tlie contact and blending of the northwest 
side of the Erie Glacial Lobe with the southeast side of what has been 



* These glacial lobes have been given the names of the rivers now coursing most nearly in the 
direction of their trend, viz: 1. The Grand and Mahoning at the east; 2. The Sandusky and Scioto; 3. 
The Great Miami — all in Ohio; 4. The White River in Indiana, and 5. The Maumee and Wabash. See 
T. C. Chamberlin's Preliminary Paper on the Terminal Moraine of the Second Glacial Epoch. 

t See The Ice Age in North America, 3rd edition, pages 235. 236. 

J Geological Survey of Ohio. vol. i. page 53H; vol. ii, pages 9, 10. 

II Geological Survey of Ohio. vol. i, page 542. 

§ United Slates Geological Survey. Third Annual Report, page 291. 



GLACIAL MOVEMENT. ANDlMORAlNES. 



27 



County 


Plack 


Rock 


No. OF 
Obs. 


Bkarinc 


Erie 


Kelly Island 


Coriiiferous Limestone 


4 

12 
1 


S. 78° VV. 
S. »0° VV. 
S. 60° VV. 


Ottawa 


Putin-Bay Island 


VVaterliine 

intersecting 


20 
1 


S. «0° VV. 
S. 1.5° W. 




South Bass Island 


.. 


Many 


S. H0° W. 






intersecting 


1 


S. 1.5° VV. 




West Sister Island 


•■ 


Many 


S. H0° VV. 






intersecting 


1 


S. 


Lucas 


Sylvania 


Corniferous 


6 


S. .50° W. 




Monclova 


Waterlime 


4 


S. 62° VV. 




Fish's Quarry 


Corniferous 


1 


S. 5.5° W. 




Whitelioiise 




1 


S. .50° VV. 


Defiance 


Ucliance 


Ohio Shale 


I 


S. 45° VV. 


Pauldiiii; 


Junction 


Corniferous Limestone 


3 


S. 4.5° W. 


Allen 


Lima 


Waterlime 


3 


S. 35° VV. 




Amanda 




1 


S. 35° VV. 


Van Wen 


Middlepoint 




2 


S. 1.5° VV. 


Hancock 


Findlay 


Niagara 


1 
2 


S. 45° W. 
S. 40° W. 




Amanda 




: 


S, 32° VV. 


Putnam 


Blanchard 
Suear Creek 


Waterlime 


1 
1 


S, 2H° W, 
S. ,50° W. 




Auglaize 


Corniferous 


1 


S. 48° W. 


Seneca 


Seneca 


Waterlime 


1 


S. 23° W. 






intersecting 


1 


S. 5°E. 


Wyandot 


Crawford 
Crane 




1 
1 


S. 20° W. 
S. 5° W. 




Marseilles 


Niagara 


1 
1 
1 


S. 10° VV. 

S. 10° E. 

N. S. 


Wood 


Portage 


Waterlime 


3 


S. ,50° W. 




Otsego 


Corniferous 


1 


S. 68° VV. 
S. 60° VV. 



OBSERVATIONS OF GLACIAL GROOVINGS IN BED ROCK. 

termed the Saginaw Glacial Lobe, thus forming the Erie-Saginaw Inter- 
lobate Moraine.* The Saginaw Glacier is recognized as having been 
the lesser lobe or edge of these two, and the first to disappear. The 
survey of the western and northwestern border of this Basin, shows 
considerable complexity in its glaciation. The accompanying map 
shows five morainic loops of the Maumee-Wabash Glacial Lobe, divided 
into North and South sections by the Maumee River and the Wabash 
and its tributaries, viz; the Defiance Moraine, the St. Joseph-St. Mary, 
the Wabash-Aboite, the Salamonie and thi' Mississinewa. The two last 
named are so blended in northeastern Indiana with the Saginaw as to 



* See the I6ih Report of Indiana Geology. 1888. pages 119-125. and the 17th Report. I8»2. pages 
115 to 118. 



28 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 




GLACIAL LAKE MAUMEE AND ITS OUTLETS. 29 

hu inilistinmiishabk- to otlu-r than skilk-d K'aciaologists. North of 
Manmef Bay there arc- two other moraines extending northward. 

It is still an unsettled (|uestion w^hether the different glacial evi- 
dences were separated li\ long intervals ot mild climate, marking 
distinct glacial epochs, or whether there were a continuity of oscilla- 
tions — advances and recessions — of the ice with only a modified 
glacial climate during its recessions of, perhaps, one, two, three hun- 
dred years, or more. Both theories have able advocates. t A further 
descrijjtion of these moraines will he given in the chapters on the 
Glacial Drift, and the rivers. 

The causes leading to the melting of the glaciers were but the 
reversal of the causes that produced them. Theories of the subsidence 
or great depression of the glaciated area f perhaps from the great weight 
of the ice) and theories of ocean elevation, and of astronomic varia- 
tions, have been advanced as causes of the modification of the glacial 
climate. 

Wherever the drainage ways in iront of an advancing glacier 
were not sufficient at lower levels, bodies of water formed and accumu- 
lated in relative quantity from the constant melting of the ice. As the 
glacier advanced from the northeast the drainage channels of the areas 
of the present great lakes and tributaries, were dammed and the accu- 
mulating waters from them, and from the glacier, found outlet through 
the preglacial channels to the southward and southwestward. When 
the glacier finally stopped on the borders of the present Maumee River 
Basin the waters from the melting ice were discharged through the St. 
Joseph River which, cutting through the moraines southwestward from 
its present mouth, flowed into the Wabash River near Huntington, In- 
diana. Other points of discharge were southeastward into the Scioto 
River and southward into the Miami. As the glacier receded, by melt- 
ing, there was formed between its front and sides and the St. Joseph- 
St. Mary Moraines, a body of water which constantly increased in 
extent as the ice disappeared. This body of water has been designated 
as the Maumee Glacial Lake. It had outlets southeastward through 
the Tymochtee Gap, 912 feet above tide water, to the Scioto River ; 
southward near Lima and Wapakoneta, at an elevation of aliout 900 
feet and later, at the formation of the River St. Mar}^ and its junction 
with the St. Joseph at Fort Wayne, southwestward, at present erosion 



t For a discussion of the latter theory see The Ice Age in North America, 3rd edition, IK5)1, and 
Man and the Glacial Period, "ind edition. 1^96, both by G. Frederick Wright. Regardinc the former 
theory see The Great Ice Age in which the author. James Geikie. discusses six distinct glacial epochs 
in Europe. In 1899 Dr. .\lbrecht Fenck, in a pamphlet published in Vienna, recognizes four distinct 
epochs of glaciation in the Alps, instead of three as heretofore recorded. This subject, as well as others 
maybe found more fully discussed in the proceedings of geological and other scientific societies, and 
serial publications, a number of which are referred to by name in this work. 



30 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



level of 767 feet, to the Wabash River: and still later, until the glacial 
ice dam melted in the Mohawk River Valley, New York, and in the St. 
Lawrence Valley, the drainage of the Maumee Glacial Lake was north- 
ward to the Thumb of Michigan, and thence southwestward south of 
Saginaw Bay, at an altitude of something over 700 feet above tide 
water, through the Grand River to Lake Michigan, and thence through 
the Illinois River to the Mississippi. 

With the melting of the ice the great number of granitic Imulders, 
large and small, tiie immense quantity of finely ground rock material 
of different kinds, forming clay, gravel, sand, and lime, and all 
kinds of debris and detritus that had been received and gathered in 
its course, became liberated to settle to the bottom of the water or 







'^ I^^^^H 


M 






'^ ^^^^SSSs 


jpe 








''^^-^^^^s 


■1 


I|||mJ| 




■ :'J9^8BSn^^^|^^H 


H 


^H^HIBHI 


W>-— "^ 




■Hi 



Defiance Glacial Bay Beach in Foreground, and Crest of Defiance Moraine in the distance. Look- 
ing east. 24th October, 1902. in Richland Township, three miles east of the Defiance Court House, and 
one mile south of the Maumee Water Gap. A very fertile country. 



drifted to the shores. Icebergs and icefloes were broken from the 
glacier by the processes of Assuring and undermining, and either soon 
became fixed on the bottom to melt and deposit their loads of earthy 
material in a limited area, or were drifted about to its wider disperse- 
ment. The Maumee Glacial Lake gradualh' subsided into the present 
Lake Erie. 

As the lake level declined the waters of the Rivers St. Joseph 
and St. Marj' followed the receding lake, thus originating and forming 
the Maumee River. Following its continued recession the Defiance 
Moraine became the western and southwestern shore of the Maumee 
Glacial Lake, leaving to the westward and southward a bay, named 
Defiance Glacial Bay in the year 1899 by Frank Leverett assistant in 
the United States Geological Surve}-, at the suggestion of Charles E. 
Slocum of Defiance. This Bav in its full extent was about 1100 



DEFIANCE BAY. LAKES WHITTLESEY AND WARREN. SI 

square miles in area, somewhat crcscentic in form with its north and 
south points and concave shore lines to the eastward, with altitude of 
near 170 feet above the present level of Lake Erie, and 743 feet aliove 
the sea. Much of its shore lines may now be seen with more or less 
distinctness at or near tlu' following; named i)laces : Be^inninK at 
Ayersvillc, five miles southeast of Defiance and at the Bay's j^rincipal 
connection with the recedinf? Lake Whittlesey, and extending north- 
ward along the convex west side of the Defiance Moraine to 
Archbold, Fulton County, Ohio, the most northerly point ; thence 
irregularly in a general southwesterly course along the slope east of 
Bryan, Williams County, and of Hicksville, Defiance County, to 
Antwerp, Paulding County, where it turns southeast to Scott, and 
near Delphos, Allen Countv , th< iice in a curving northeasterly course 
to near Columbus Grove and Pandora, Putnam County, thence north 
to Leipsic and Kelmore, and thence northwest through Henry County 
to the mouth ol the Bay opposite Ayersville. Its deepest part was at 
Defiance. Four lake beaches have been noted in this Basin by G. K. 
Gilbert,* by whom it was first surveyed. The first beach, the western 
shore of Glacial Lake Maumee, marks a water level of 220 feet above 
the j)resent level of Lake Erie ; the second at 195 feet, and the third 
at 170 feet, being the level of Defiance Glacial Bay, and Lake Whittle- 
sey on the east side of the Defiance Moraine. The fourth beach lines 
record a slow descent from the eastern shore of Lake Warren, 90 feet 
to 65 and 60 feet above the fifth beach or present shore of Lake Erie, 
which is recorded as 573 feet above tide water. 

With the subsidence of the glacier and its waters, the Maumee 
River Basin became defined ; and it was quite well drained before the 
present Niagara River had origin. It was not until the breaking away 
of the glacial ice dams in the Mohawk River Valley, and in the \alky 
of the St. Lawrence River, and the settling of Lake Ontario below 
the level of the land thirty-eight feet above the present Lake Erie, that 
the Niagara River began to form a channel: and as that level of Lake 
Ontario subsided, the Falls of Niagara had a beginning at the escarp- 
ment of Lewiston. With the erosions of the overlying till and the 
softer underlying eighty feet of shale, the upper eightv feet of lime- 
stone was undermined and broken to fall in fragments and be carried 
down the channel by the increasing height and force of the Falls and 
current. Thus the Falls receded and the Gorge was formed accord- 
ingly. This Niagara Gorge has been recognized by geologists for 
several years as the best practical measure of the time that has elapsed 
since the subsidence of the glacial waters that is convenient for their 



■ Ohio Geological Survey, vol. i. page 549. Also see Map. paee 28. 



32 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

study. From the studies given to the erosions bj' the Falls, diverse 
opinions have, however, been advanced. R. Bakewell, Jr., in the jear 
1829, alter consulting residents of the vicinity of forty years duration, 
estimated the recession of the Falls at three feet a year. E. Desor 
later estimated the recession as probably nearer three feet a century 
than three feet a year, making the time for the wearing of the Gorge 
1,232,000 years. Prof. James D. Dana'^ estimated the more probable 
time as 380,000 years. Sir Charles Lyellt concluded that ' the aver- 
age of one foot a year would be a much more jirobable conjecture' or 
35,000 years. American geologists of later years have, also, variously 
read this chronometer, some deducing a period of time for the erosion 
as low as 7000 years, while Professor James W. S])encer in 1894, 
sums up the time necessary for this stupendous work of water at 32,000 
years. In this estimation it is necessary to take into account different 
facts and agencies once potent, but not now apparent in the local 
study. There was far more moisture in the air and the ground, for- 
merly than now, and then for a long period (estimated by Professor 
Spencer at over 17,0(J0 years) the upper lakes were drained through 
Georgian Bay and the French River to the Ottawa and St. Lawrence, 
and only about three-elevenths of their water passed through Lake 
Erie and over Niagara Fails. It is, also, probable that more water 
passed over the Falls during the Champlain periodll than at present. 
And again, little of definite evidence has been obtained regarding the 
extent of the preglacial erosions above the occluded whirlpool channel 
and their effect on the present erosions. In this connection it is inter- 
esting to note that N. H. Winchell's studies of the post glacial erosion 
of the Falls of St. Anthony, Minnesota, have led him to the opinion 
that it has required a period of 8000 years for the results there shown. 
The Ohio River is a preglacial stream, with its present bed at least one 
hundred and fifty feet above its preglacial bed, the channel having 
been much filled during the glacial period and since then eroded, in a 
somewhat wandering course to the present level. The trough of the 
Ohio River affords interesting opportunity for further study in this 
inquiry, and in fluvial history. § 



* Manual of Geology. 2nd edition, 1875. page 591. Dr. Dana, in his last {4th) edition, 1896, con- 
tents himself with quoting the deductions of later geolosists. and inclining to lower estimates than 
formerly. 

t Travels in North America, vol. i, page 32; vol. ii, page 93; Principles of Geology, vol. i, page 
358. 

II See Geological Chart, facing page 7. 
§ See Geological Survey of Ohio. vol. ii. page 13. 

A writer in McClure's Magazine for August, 190', vol, xvii, page 304, estimates the age of the 
earth in years, counting from the surface downward so far as known, as follows : 
Recent, Post Glacial, and Glacial . . ,500,000 

Pliocene, Miocene, Eocene .... 2,800,000 

Chalk, Jura, Trias 14,30O,0(X) (Continued on 

Permian, Cambrian. Laurentian . . 100,000,000 page 33.) 



BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF THE GLACIERS. 33 

It is to the Glaciation and the Drift or Glacial Till that this Basin, 
in common with other glaciated regions, is indebted for its admirable 
topography, from an agricultural and commercial standpoint, and for 
its variety of fertile soils. Its study in connection with unglaciated 
regions will place this highly favored Basin in pleasing contrast. The 
more uneven parts of Southeastern Ohio and contiguous parts of West 
Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, that are south of the glaciers' 
course, although interesting in their relation to this subject, do not 
afford, in their additional geologic strata and their relation to the Appa- 
lachian chains of mountains, good illustrations of the topography that 
would now be exhibited in this region but for the mountains of ice that 
were moved over it. There is a limited unglaciated area embracing the 
northwestern part of Illinois, the northeastern part of Iowa, and the 
southeastern part of Minnesota, which presents in comparison with 
contiguous and other glaciated regions of these States, excellent illus- 
trations of the great benefit now being derived from the results of the 
glaciers. Notwithstanding the fact that the ice passed around the cor- 
ners of the three States here mentioned, an area of several hundred 
square miles in extent, and for several hundred miles beyond it, 
there are no well marked evidences of glaciation within its borders, nor 
of till, to obscure the contrast with other parts of those States; but it 
did receive a flow of loess or porous clay rich in carbonate of lime, 
from one of the later sheets of ice drift thus being modified, and im- 
proved, by the near passing of the glacier. 

Although the diggings and borings through the Till with careful 
notings, have not been numerous enough thus far to demonstrate the 
system of preglacial drainage, it is probable that this Basin, being the 
first of its vicinity elevated above the sea and therefore the oldest on 
the surface in its preglacial history, became deeply and sharply chan- 
neled in the rock by the larger streams, and latteralh- by their tribu- 
taries. Gorges of great breadth and depth must have abounded in the 
rock beside multitudinous and diverse inequalities from the unequal 
decomposition and wear of the layers of varied and varying degrees of 
hardness of the rocks, by the rains, the drouths, the sun, the freezings, 
the thawings and by the floods. There were not only rugged cliffs 
abutting the streams and their vallevs, but narrow gorges, isolated high 



Still greater length of time has elapsed, in the estimation of others. See McClure's Magazine for 
October. 1900. vol. xv. page 514. 

"On the contrary, the present tendency both among astronomers and geologists, is to diminish 
estimates of geological time in almost every period. The hundreds of niiliions of years claimed not 
long ago as necessary for the deposition and metainorifhism of geological strata, and for the elevating and 
eroding forces to produce the present contour of the earth's surface have on geological evidence, been 
reduced to much more moderate limits. Thirty million years is now shown to be ample for the deposi. 
lion, by forces still in operation, of all the sedimentary strata of which we have knowledge." The /ce 
Age 0/ Wort/? America, by G. F. Wright, U. Appleton & Co., 3rd ed. page 449. 



54 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



points of harder rock, and a general ruggt'dness throughout the entire 
surface. The comparative short time that has elapsed since the melt- 
ing of the last glacier has sufficed for our sluggish streams to erode 
considerable valleys through the Glacial Drift, and, in many places, 
through the shale and several feet ir>to the rock. The far greater 
length of the preglacial time during which the rocks were probably ex- 
posed to the changes mentioned above, must have resulted in producing 
a topography rougher than our imaginations can well jiortray it. Trav- 
eling across such an irregularly eroded region, if possible, would be 




Glaciated Granite Boulders in liiiili channel of Mauinee River, '^oiith iiart of Section il'. Noble 
Township. Defiance County, Ohio. Looking eastward. IHth October. 1901. This region, and the low 
channel half a mile below, afford the best display of such bouldfers in the larger streams of the Maumee 
River Basin. Small and more or less polished pieces are found along all streams. 

attended with at least many difficulties and inconveniences. The way 
would be very tortuous and exhausting from many descendings and as- 
cendings, and with many bridgings of chasms. Cultivation of the soil, 
where possible, would be in restricted areas, uncertain on account of 
the drouths, and laborious to prevent undue washings of the soil in wet 
seasons. The glaciers were like huge planes in their effects, leveling 
the high points, pushing everything breakable and movable before 
them, or crushing, grinding and triturating all between the basic rocks 
and the ice floors studded with granitic and softer rocks, and leaving 
all the old channels filled that were not otherwise obliterated. Here 



THE GLACIAL DRIFT DEPOSITS OR TILL. 



55 



was the roniniiiuitiiiK anti coniniini^lin^ processes of tin- ditfcnnt rocks 
- of the ar^iillaccous, the limestones, the feldspars of the granites 
with, generallx', just enough of tiieir silica to preserve the good degree 
of congruity tliat distinguishes much of the inexhaustible soil of this 
Basin. 

During tlie nulling of tin- glaciers and the deposition ol the Drift, 
the effect of water was great ujion the superglacial and englacial Till; 
and the subglacial was more or less washed and reassorted in the loca- 
tions of ><nlit;la('i:il streams of water. Nlmvi tlie l^irst 1" arh. w.-st 




Looking down tlie Auglaize River in Jackson Township. Putnam County. Ohio. 28th May. ISK)2, in 
low stage of water. The Corniferous Limestone Boulder seen beyond the boat is the largest seen in 
the river channels of the Basin. Before it was drilled and blasted into three pieces a few year-; ago. 
its height above the ground was fifteen feet. 

and northwest particularl\-, Erie Clay still lies in undulations, un- 
changed only by subsequent natural washings, showing that the 
Maumee Glacial Lake, if it really covered this region following the 
subsidence of the glacier, must have soon receded to the First Beach, 
a distance in some places of twenty miles with a fall of about two 
hundred feet. The glacial deposits within the beach lines were sub- 
jected to great and continued washings by which there was much of 
sortings, rearrangings and levelings of the inequalities. The present 
surface is largely independent of the underlying native rock surface, 
which is of itself irregular and the thickness of the Drift varying from 



56 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

nothing to 550 feet, varies both from irregularity of its deposition and 
irregularity of its subsequent washings. The chief constituent of the 
Drift is a finely laminated clay, the Erie Clay of the earlier geologists, 
containing generally more or less sand, gravel and boulders. The 
latter are of various kinds and sizes uj) to twenty feet in diameter, 
many of them being smoothed on one side and showing straight and 
nearly parallel scratches received from their fellows during the move- 
ments of the glaciers. The channels of the larger rivers afford the 
best exhibition of these boulders, though some fields contain occasional 
outcroppings of them. The Drift or Till is best seen, for study of its 
irregularly stratified and specially washed conditions, in the precipitous 
banks of the rivers and in the deeper and more extensive cuttings for 
private and public works. Examination of a goodly number of small 
' stones found in different later washings and in different parts of the Till, 
leads to the conclusion that the Laurentian rocks (metamorphic rocks, 
those intruded or foreign to Ohio in their origin and brought by the 
glaciers) are most numerous in the upper portions of the Drift, and the 
sedimentarv rocks (of the character of those native to this Basin) pre- 
dominate in the lower portions, while the middle jiortion exhibits a 
more even division of both kinds. "^ 

Flowing water is the best of separators. Wave action separated 
the sand and cast much of it upon the shores of the glacial lakes and 
bavs. The finer material of the Drift, generally free from sand and 
much of it known as Lacustrine Clay, settled to the bottom and now 
forms the level country between the ridges or lake and liay beaches. 

Another form of clay, more delicately assorted, is found in defined 
areas, of consideralile extent. Its character is attractive on account of 
its smooth and unctious surface when cut with a sharp instrument; its 
compactness, being susceptible of a glass-like polish: its great tenacity 
when wet to a certain consistency; and its imjialiiableness, being suit- 
able as a fine polishing agent. Its color is generally light gray, dark- 
ening a little on exposure to the air. This is of the finest comminutions 
of the glacial grindings. Its chemic composition is ([uite like that of 
the coarser sediment above mentioned, viz: Silica 37.32 per cent; 
Alumina 29.85; Calcium carbonate 15.00; Combined water 11.47; 
Ferric oxid 4.52; and Magnesium carbonate 1.84 per cent. (Dryer). 

The Till, or Drift in general, is often peculiar in its arrangement. 



* The erratic stones, or those brought from a threat distance from the nortli and east by the claciers 
and distributed here, are denominated chlorite schist, quartzite {of which liiere are white, gray and 
flesll colored), cneiss (in color yray to pink, with less mica than hornblende \ and greenstone. Those 
belonginK to the Ohio column of rocks have been detached from the upper layers, including the Ohio 
Shale with varying size nodules of crude iron pyrites, or iron sulphid, Corniferous Limestone with some 
chert or impure flint, Waterlime near and below its exposures, and some Sylvania Sandstone near the 
Michigan line in Lucas County, Ohio. See Geologic Chart, pace 7. 



MORAINES. LATERAL. INTERLOBATE AND TERMINAL. 37 

alfoidiiiK cause for sevtral tlnories regardinj( the mode of its deposi- 
tion, none of wliicli is entirely satisfactory to all geologists. 

Several haltings of the Maumee-Wabash (lobe of the last) Glacier 
are marked by Moraines within, bordering on, and near to the southern 
and western sides of this Basin. These several Moraines were probably 
each deposited by the glacier, not altogether in its advance movement 
but when arrested in its recession by melting by a return for a time of 
the glacial climate. This being the oi)inion, they will be mentioned in 
the order of their formation from the west towards the east. The 
Mississinewa Moraine lies aloni; the right (north) bank of the river of 
like name, aiul the Salamonie Moraine along the right bank of the 
river ol its name. North of the Wabash River these two moraines are 




I..H'kiin: soiuli of wc-l. sill JiiiiL', l'.K)3. aciDss llif \'alle\s ,)f Lililir Kiv,-i and of the Wabash one- 
half mile above their junction, from the slope of the Wabash .\boite Moraine to the Salamonie Moraine. 
See Map. paue 2H. This was the ureat early drainat'e channel of the Mauniee Glacial Lake. 

intimately blended with a moraine of the Saginaw Glacial Lobe, thus 
exhibiting a confused Interlobate Moraine. The culmination of this 
impingement and blending is seen at the head of James Lake in 
Jamestown Township, Steuben County, Indiana, and eastward there- 
from for twenty miles. The United States surveying corps erected a 
column near the northeastern angle of this high point, the ground 
having an altitude here of 1141.5 feet above the sea — it being about 
the highest point in Indiana; and northeast in Hillsdale Countv, Mich- 
igan, near Reading, is the highest point in the lower peninsula of 
Michi.gan. The Grass Lake region to the west of these points is 
thought to mark the boundary between the Mississinewa and the Sag- 
inaw Moraines, l)ut no distinctness exists. The western slope of this 
Interlobate Moraine drains into the St. Joseph River of Lake Michigan, 
and the eastern slope north of Allen Countv, Indiana, drains into the 



38 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



St. Joseph River of the Maumee Basin. The next moraine to the 
eastward is the Wabash-Aboite Moraine, lying along the north (right) 
bank of the headwaters of the Wabash River and, from St. Marys, 
Ohio, northwestward, forming the southwestern boundary of the 
Maumee River Basin. North of Fort Wayne this moraine lies west of 
the St. Joseph River into which it drains. The most prominent parts 
of the W'abash-Aboite Moraine are near the line between Hillsdale and 
Branch Counties. Michigan, and the two tiers of the eastern townships 




The Crest of Moraine dividing the Headwaters of the River St. Joseph of the Maumee from those 
of the St. Joseph of Lake Michiean, between Hillsdale City and Bankers Villaae. Michiuan. Lookine 
southwest. 6th June, 1902. In addition to the Stone Fence alone the Public Highway in the foreground, 
two others are seen dividing the fieids in the distance. These fences are composed of granite boulders 
gathered from the Glacial Till here. A small section of country here and another in Steuben County, 
Indiana, are the only parts of this Basin where such Stones can be found in sufficient tjuantilies for 
fences. 

of Steuben County, Indiana. The irregularity and variety of the 
physical features of these chief morainic regions invest them with much 
of beautv and charm. The numerous lakes — over one hundred on the 
map of Steuben County alone — varying in size, depth and setting, and 
abounding with fish of good quality, often with good bottoms for bath- 
ing, with pure atmosphere and wholesome material surroundings, 
make this otherwise interesting morainic region a healthful and choice 
summer resort which will become more and more appreciated as the 
years go by. 



FORMATION AND OBLITERATION OF GLACIAL LAKES. 39 

These lakes resulti d horn the irregular depositions of the glacial 
clav till, leavintj; ridges and depressions. Where the till or wash was 
of a gravelly or sandy character, permitting the waters of wet season 
to percolate, the depressions are dry. Occasionally 'kettle holes' or 
dry, round holes are seen.* One theory of their formation is the 
grounding of clear icebergs or fragments of the glacier, and the wash- 
ing and forming of the gravel and sand around them to so remain 
after tlu melting of the ice. The obliteration of glacial jjonds and 
lakes 111 (lav or iinii-lrakiiig Iiottnms bv washintrs, bv tin- incroactunint 




A \'iL-w of ColIlln^^^iIed Moraines June Uth, 1903, looking noith in tlie nunliwuil pal L ut Vuik Tuvvn- 
ship, Steuben County, Indiana. The tree at the Crest to the ritjht of the Road, one and three-fourths 
miles distant, is at Pace Postoffice, beyond which tlie drainage is into the River St. Joseph of Lake 
Michigan, 

and decay of vegetation and the formation of peat, with other of 
Nature's accumulations, is a sul)ject of interesting study. The moraines 
yet afford many instructive illustrations of Nature's ways of forming, 
and reforming, such features of the earth. The last stage of such lakes 
is often a cranberry marsh or a tamarack swamp. The areas of differ- 
ent lakes are now undergoing the final stages of transformation into 
excellent farms in Farmer and Milford Townships, Defiance Countv, 
Ohio. In some of these small lakes of great depth, a great length of 



* Kettle holes may yet be seen in the St, Joseph Moraine, particularly in the southwestern part of 
Williams County, Ohio, 



40 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



time is necessary for the solidifying by nature's process of the deep 
strata of the filling. The companies building railways over and along 
these moraines have encountered sink holes' which required great 
quantities of gravel and earth to be deposited for the necessary stability 
of the tracks. The builders of the Baltimore & Ohio Railway through 
Eastern Indiana, met with such difficulty in 1873, those of the Wabash 
Railway near Montpelier, Ohio, in 1901, and the other companies were 
annoyed more or less at the time of their building. It has even been 
thought necessary to change the line and build on one side of the 
'sink hole.' 

The first moraine fully within this Basin, and which has been 
probably improperly called the Terminal Moraine, is the St. Mary- 




Clear Lake, clear Lake lowii^iiip, Mt-iintu t iiiiiity, Indiana. Lookini; north ot west Btli June, 
1902. in the rain. There are summer hotels on the Commingled Moraine of the distant shore. 



St. Joseph Moraine, lying along the right (north) bank of the River St. 
Mary, and along the left (south) bank of the River St. Joseph. In 
Hillsdale, and part of Lenawee County, Michigan, it is blended with 
the Saginaw Moraine before mentioned, and forms the beginning of the 
Interlobate Moraine that increases in volume to the southwestward.* 
The next moraine to the east is the Defiance Moraine with northern 
point near Adrian, Michigan, curving southwestward and forming the 
eastern side of the Valley of the Tiffin River. It is cut through at the 
a]iex of its curve by the Maumee River three miles below Defiance, 
and thence curves southeastward forming the east valley of the lower 
Auglaize River and, eastward, the north valle\' of the Blanchard River. 



* For a more detailed description of these moraines see Dr. Charles R. Dryer's survey in the 
jxteenth Report of Indiana Geology, pat'e 119 et. seq. 



THE GRADUAL SLOPINGS OF THE MORAINES. 



41 



All 1)1 these moraines arc nearly ])arallel, and much curved with the 
concave sides to the eastward, facinf^ the direction of the advent and 
departure of the glacier. At the northern inlets of Maumee Bay, in 
tli( 11(11 tlurii ]iart ol the Hasin, is the point ot a small moraine extend- 
ing northward, being parallel outside the Basin to a like moraine. 
Reference to figures on the map on page "2H will show the altitudes of 
these moraines, and of many of the intervening ])arts. The highest 
point is fiHS feet above Lake Erit' at a distance from Maumee Bav of 




Hamilton (Fish) Lake, Otseco Township, Steuben County. Indiana, l.ookiiii: nortliwest from 
.top of tobofican s]idi> at Cold Sprinc. early and wet morninc Till .hllie. 190-2. Moraim? on distant shore. 



75 miles in dirict line: but the drainage waters of this high point flow 
three times this distance or more. Tlie approach to the moraines is of 
such gradual ascent that they scarcely impress the traveler — in fact 
the average traveler crosses and recrosses the moraines within the 
Basin without thought of the elevation or, at most, of there being but 
'a slight ridge.' The crest of the several moraines vary materially in 
their width. A popular public road (the evolution of an early trail 
through the forest) still winds along the crest of the Defiance Moraine 
for much of its extent, both north and south of the Maumee River, and 
is commonly known as the North and the South Ridge Road. In 



42 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



places along this crest the ground declines perceptibly from both sides 
of the narrow roadway, but in most of its course the travelers' view is 
over 'a level country.' A continuous series of undulations, of very 
moderate variation in altitude, exist in the St. Joseph Moraine and 
still higher on tht- watershed west of the St. Joseph River, and to 
lesser heights in other moraines within the Basin; but the inequalities 
are more marked to the northwest just without these limits. The soil 
of these moraines is very fertile. It is generally of sandy loam, and 
quick to respond to the worthy husbandman's efforts with bounteous 




Looking south at Bankers, Cambria Township Hillsdale County. Michigan. June 6. 1902. Biy Bear 
Lake, one of the sources of the River St. Joseph, glimpsed in the distance. The middle ground shows 
vegetation that is fast encroaching upon and tilling in the upper part of this lake. The greatest altitude 
in lower Michigan is but a few miles to the right. 



returns. It is of a good degree of thickness, easy to cultivate, not 
prone to wash away and, on account of the favorable subsoil, it never 
misses a croj^. In wet seasons the surplus water readily disperses, 
largely through the subsoil, and in seasons of drouth the ground water 
is well attracted to the needs of vegetation. Proper underdraining and 
tilling are rapidly producing these favorable and certain results in the 
more distinctive clay soils of all levels. 

There are, further, some ridge and mound formations by the last 
glacier, or deposited in and by its crevicing or its supra or sub-water- 



RIDGES OF EARTH. ESKARS AND KAMES. 



45 



ways, called osars or cskars, ami kamts.* A number of these interest- 
ing formations are found on the westerly part of the St. Mary Moraine 
and near its soutlnvestern border. The first eskar to be mentioned 
forms the western wall of the Six-Mile Creek Gap in Section 15, Adams 
Township, .\llen County, Indiana. t It is comjiosed of }j;ravel in anti- 
clinal stratification, is 20 feet high, about 880 feet wide, and half a mile 
long. An eskar and kame are situated on the crest of the St. Mary 
Moraine in the eastern part of the City of l-'ort Wayne. The eskar 
was a broad, sandy ridge extending from the east line of Section 7, 
Adams Townshi]), westward one and a ijuarter miles. The freight 
yards of the Pennsylvania Railroad occupy a leveled portion of it. 
The kame is just west of this point and rises conically to a height of 
80 feet. A little to the north of this eskar, and parallel with it, is 




Lone Lake, lookiiii^ lun til ol lasl Inuii t. le.ir Lake lowiisliip. Steuben t-Oniity, Indiana, to the 
Michigan Shore. Hillsdale Connty, 6th June. iy02. This lake is near the highest altitude in these two 
States. 



another of symmetrical form and one-fourth mile in length. Another 
extends from near the crossing of the River St. Mary by the N. Y., C. 
& St. L. Railway (the 'Nickel Plate') to the southward one and one- 
half miles as a massive ridge. It has been much excavated as a gravel 
snpply. Another rises 30 feet as the west river bank and curves and 
branches irregularly across the Allen County Infirmary farm to the 



* There has been much confusion in the use of these names, and mucn discussion regarding the 
process of formation of the prominences thus named. Osar is the old European name for ridges of 
gravel and sand of varying lengths that cannot be attributed to the action wholly of the ice. or to the 
action of running water without aid similar to that a glacier might afford, nor to the wave action of 
a lake. Eskar is the term latterly used by geologists to the displacement of osar. A mound or conical 
prominence constructed by the glacial streams, generally in immediate relation to the edge of the 
ice, is the later signification of the term kame. 

t See account of the survey of Dr. Charles R. Dryer in the Sixteenth Report of Indiana Geology. 
page 116. 



44 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



southward, a mile in length. Several other eskars are discernible in 
this vicinity: and associated with this series are several small island- 
like iiromincnces in the broad drainage channel of the Maumee Glacial 
Lake through which the Wabash Railway, and electric cars, run south- 
westward from Fort Wayne. On the largest of these prominences, 
known as Fox Island, is the most symmetrical and graceful eskar of 
this system. It is curved like the letter S. in slighter degree, and 
is three-quarters of a mile in length. It is 25 feet in height and its 
sides are 'as steep as sand can be piled.' 




Crest of the St. Joseph Moraine. Looking west in the west part of Hicksville Township, Uetiance 
County. Ohio, Wth October, 1902. Showine the Baltimore and Ohio Railway tracks as lowered durinK 
the years 19(Xi-OI-02. A very fertile country. 

A verv interesting serpentine eskar is situated in Highland Town- 
ship, Defiance County, Ohio, six miles southeast of the City of Defiance 
and one mile south of the hamlet of Ayersville. This is the most 
extensive in the Basin. It is named Highland Eskar by the writer. It 
was formed in part by direct deposit by the glacier, and by the running 
water in the melting glacier at the time the Defiance Moraine was laid; 
and it is now a much more prominent feature of the landscape than 
any part of the moraine in its vicinity, which has suffered materially 
from washings. 

When the Maumee Glacial Lake had receded to have the Defiance 



HIGHLAND ESKAR AT MOUTH OF DEFIANCE BAY. 45 

Moraine for its western and southern shore, the northwestern, western, 
southwestern sides of the Ilif^hland liskar were washed by tht- Defiance 
l-Jay, and its northeast sidi- faced the connection of this Hny with the 
Lake, it lieinK a proniinen! island in other words, at tlu- moutli of the 
JSay. Its nortlurn end lies one-fourth mile in the southwestern quar- 
ter of Section 10, extending,' to the- south line of this Section where 
the public road rises to and follows its crest eastward and southward 
for three-fourths mile across the northwest quarter of Section If), and 
the northeast (|uarter of Section 14, where it turns south and extends 
oni'-hall mile, and then turns southwest, endinji beyond the south ])art 
of these Sections and alonji the line between them. Its length is 
about two miles. Its highest i)art is 35 to 40 feet in the northern third 




Defiance Moraine Glen, in north banl\ of the Mauniee Water (iap, three miles east'of Ithe iCily of 
Defiance, looking' north, l.^th October. 19()1. 



of its length. It is generally narrow in body, and ridge, so narrow in 
places that there is just width enough for the public road that winds 
along its ridge the entire extent, excepting the north one-fourth mile. 
There are six farm residences, with the other usual farm buildings, 
occupied by old settlers or their descendants, along the crest of High- 
land Eskar ; also a Freewill Baptist church building with its churchj-ard 
cemetery. The base of this eskar is composed of clay to varying 
heights above the level surrounding country overlain with gravel, and 
then with sandy loam of great fertilit\-, affording the best of gardens and 
small orchards on its crest and sides. Wells have been made on its 
sides near the base and supply good water at a depth of 12 to 14 feet ; 
and at its northern end there is a spring of excellent water which is not 
exhausted in dry seasons. Excavations on this eskar have brought to 
view parts of trees and other vegetation that quickly crumbled to dust 



46 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



on exposure to the air, evidencing their burial in the remote past, 
probably at the time of the formation of the eskar. The views from 
the crest of this eskar in all directions are over well-tilled and highly 
fertile farms, brightened with comfortable homes, on the ' elm ' lands 
that were formerly the bottom of the Maumee Glacial Lake, and later. 




Map of Hifihland Eskar in the Month of Defiance Glacial Bay at the Ancient Water Gap in the 
Defiance Moraine, six miles southeast of the City of Defiance. The squares are Land Sections, each 
one mile square, in northeast Hishland Township. The dots mark the situation of houses. 

of Defiance Bay, from the waters of which the rich soil was deposited. 
Thus, in the ideal topography of this Maumee River Basin, and in 
the due admixture of the best of soil ingredients, so commingled and 
conditioned in its Drift as to retain their vitality from dissipation by 
undue oxidation, washing, or leeching, do we realize the beneficent 
results of its Glaciation. 




The Highland Eskar in northeast Highland Township, Defiance County. Ohio.] Looking south 
aeth October, 1901. 



EVIDENCES OF PREHISTORIC MAN. 47 

c:ii.\rri':K in. 

Iv\ IDKMF.S UK PrKMISI-OKU- MaN— IHK A MORICINF.S AS FlRSI' SkEN. 

TIk- .\niLiic;ui or WVstcrn CuntiiiLnt has been dcsiHnaUd by fjood 
authority* as the oldest of continents: and the aboriginal man in 
America has been classed among the Mongoloids, or earliest of peo])le, 
antedating Adam.'*' 

Thire have been many speculations and theories regarding the 
length of time that man has existed. The earliest Stone Age in 
Europe has been recorded + as beginning jirobably more than 100,000 
years in the past, and ju-rhaps many hundred thousand years. 
Other writers regard the beginning of the first Stone Age as probably 
not earlier than 4400 to 5000 years ago, but admit that man probably 
existed prior to that time and left no evidence of his handiwork. 

The existence of man before, or during the Glacial Period, has been 
quite well established- in the opinion of many scientists, both by the 
discovery of his fossilized bones and of stone implements of his shap- 
ing buried in the Glacial Drift. It is very seldom that fossilized bones 
of any animal are found notwithstanding the myriads of mankind, and 
of larger lower animals that have existed through the multiple ages. 
This is not strange when the facility of their destruction, and the 
exacting conditions of Nature for their preservation, are considered. § 



* Louis Acassiz in the Atlantic Monthly, vol. xi, page 373 ; Geological Sketches, pace I. 

t Preadamites. by t^iofessor .Mexander Winchell, LL. D.. pages 66, 304. 

I Haeckel's Natuerliche Schoep ungsgeschichte. page 59,5. Preadamites. 421. 

§ The process of fossilization, or chaiiginc to stone, consists in the replacement and solidification of 
each cell witli minute particles of calcium or silica which are held in solution by the water coverinu the 
bones. This process is one of Nature's very slow, delicate, and all-exacting methods of preserving the 
organic form while replacing or modifying the organic structure of very hard tissues. Soft tissues can- 
not become petrified on account of their ready putrefaction. 

Casts of the human form are sometimes made by the body being rapidly encased in fine lava or 
material that readily adapts itself to the form and iiuickly hardens. A mold is thus formed which may 
become tilled by a semifluid that will harden. Casts have thus been made in the oldest molds found — 
those at Pompeii of persons, and dogs, overwhelmed by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 
A. D. 49. 

Also in favoring conditions of temperature, moisture and ingredients, the soft parts of an animal 
body may become changed to adipocere {adeps. fat, and cere, wax), or ammonia margarate. .An occa- 
sional human body, exhumed after a few score years for burial elsewhere, has been found in this con- 
dition - the most notable instances being at the Cemetery of the Innocents, Paris, in 17H6-87, and later 
in New York City, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of that city yet possessing the body. There 
is, also, a later specimen of this character in the Wisiar Museum of Comparative .Anatomy of the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. These specimens, however, possess nothing of stony hardness 
and are crumbling. Comparatively few fossilized bones have been found, which proves that even the 
hardest parts of mankind and the lower animals generally return to their native elements with great 
facility. 



48 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Thu most ini]iortant discoveries yet made of this character are as 
follows: A human skull found in a cave at Engis near Liege, Bel- 
gium, in 1833, and a like skull found in 1857 by workmen in a lime- 
stone cjuarry in the valley of the Neander* a small stream near Diissel- 
dorf, Germany, which have become known as the Engis and the 
Neanderthal skulls. 

Part of a human skull was found in February, 1866, in gold-bearing 
gravel in Sonora Table Mountain, Calaveras County, California; and it 
is thereby kncnvn to archaeologists as the Calaveras Skull. Other 
human bones, and stone implements chipped by man, were also 
found in this deposit of gravel which Prof. Josiah D. Whitney classed 
in the Pliocene of the Tertiary age.t Some of the geologists of the 
United States Survey, however, have classed these gravels in the 
Quarternary Period. 

Other ancient remains have been recorded in this sx^ecies of evi- 
dence in different countries, including different parts of America; but it 
should be admitted that most of them have not well withstood the tests 
of scientific investigation. Human footprints have, also, been found 
indelibly impressed and hardened in Post- Pliocene stratum, one of the 
most noted being found in Nicaragua.! 

The most numerous, and the most probable of the evidences thus 
far discovered of man's existence in the Glacial Period, however, are 
stone implements that were moved and covered by a glacier. The 
observing and persevering archaeologist, M. Boucher de Perthes, dis- 
covered during the years 1841 and subsequently, chijiped stones which 
were evidently shaped by man for cutting purposes. These rude 
knives were found in glacial gravel which had apparently remained 
undisturbed since the ice placed it on a high terrace in the valley of 
the River Somme at Abbeville, North France. The sciences of 
geology and anthropology were then in their infancy, and the branch 
archaeology had then hardly a beginning. 

Account of these implements and of the depths at which they were 
found, were published by their discoverer in 1h47, and additional 
accounts of the discoveries by his pupil. Doctor Regillot, of Amiens, 
were soon thereafter given to scientists ; but it was not until 1858-59 
that other French and English geologists visited this locality and 
became convinced of the probably true character of the implements 
and of the stratum in w'hich they were found. TRis conjoined inves- 
tigation and discussion led to a more enlightened search and to addi- 
tional discoveries elsewhere. Peculiar stones that had been found in 



* See Dr. Schwalbe's lecture mentioned in llie American Review of Reviews. Jan. }9(.)4. p. 111. 
t Memoirs of the Museum of Conparative Zoology, of Harvard University, vol. vi. 
X American Philosophical Society's Proceedings, xxiv, 1887. page 437. 



EVIDENCES OF EARLIER MAN IN OHIO. 49 

HiiKlaiul in tin- l>^tli ci-nturv and jJii'Sfrvrcl with tlu- bonus of an L'Xtinct 
species of ckpliant were, upon reconsideration, declared to he palaeo- 
lithic, or palanthropic, or shaped by man in the earliest Stone Age. 

In April, iHTii, Dr. Charles C. .Mibot discovered similarly formed 
knives in the t;lacial gravel at Tri nton, New jersey,* and later finds 
in the same jilace have been ])iiblished by him and by othi-rs.+ The 
correctness of the ]uiblishicl deductions regarding the age of these 
iniiiUments has been doubted, however, bv different writers.* 

The first evidence thought to be decisive of the presence of man 
in Ohio ])re\-ious to, or durini; the Ire Age, was found in October, 1885, 
by Ur. Charles L. Metz, at Madisonville, eight feet below the surface 
in the gravel of the Little Miami River \alley one mile back from the 
river terrace. This find is a criuk'ly shajjed black-Hint knilr about the 
size and form of one of the same material found at 'I'renton, above 
mentioned. Doctor Metz found another knife in IHST, thirtv feet below 
the surface in coarser undisturbed gravel one-fourth niilr Ironi the river 
at Loveland, Ohio, twenty-five miles above Madisonville. Petrified 
bones of a mastodon were also found in the immediate vicinity ; and 
the contiguity of similar fossils and relics in other localities are con- 
sidered in favor of the validity of the evidence that man existed in the 
same geologic era as the mastodon. 

In 1896 a grooved axe was found by a well digger near New 
London, Huron County, Ohio, twenty-two feet below the surface of 
the ground, under thirteen feet of tough clay.S 

Since the year 1887, numerous other like implements have been 
found in Ohio and other States under conditions thought by their dis- 
coverers to be well authenticated for their great anticpiity, even beyond 
the Ice Age. Great care is necessary, however, that articles of later 
prehistoric times, and even those chipjied and artificially 'weathered' 
in the present generation, be not sold, and recorded, by imposters and 
incompetent judges, to the confusion of legitimate and commendable 
efforts. Careful and well-attested description of the conditions sur- 
rounding every implement of unusual cliaracter found should be sent 



* The American Naturalist, vol. vii, pane HH : vol. x. page .32i». Winsor vol. i. pace 3,13. 

t Tenttt Annual Report 0/ the Trustees 0/ the Psabody Museum of American Archaeology and 
Ethnology, vol. ii. pai:es 30. 33.^. Wiiisor's Narrative and Critical History of America, i. 334. 

i See the American Journal of Anthropology 18it2 ; Science. November. IH92 ; Journal of 
Geology. 1893 ; The Meeting Place of Geology and History. IS94. wherein William H. Holmes and 
Sir J. William Dawson ctaiin that the evidence of ace is not satisfactory from a ceolocical point of 
view, as the implements found at Trenton were not taken from undisturbed cravel. but from a talus of 
loose debris ; and that the.v resemble the rougher tools and rejectamenta of the descendants of the 
aboricines. The trustees of the Carnegie Institution made a grant of $2(.K)0 in I9(>3 to the Director of the 
Bureau of American Ethnoloc.v. Washington, for further investigation regarding the early history of man 
in America. See Year Book: also Science, December 25, 1903. 

S See the American Geologist, November. 1896. and the Fifth Annual Report of the Ohio State 
Academy of Science. 



so 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



with tlif implemfnt, to the nearest University possessing a well-ordered 
department of archaeology, and every facility should be afforded the 
chief of this department for his personal investigation. 

There are in the writer's collection of prehistoric implements a 
number of rudely chipped flint knives which exhibit on their surface 
the evidence of great age,* and which are not unlike in appearance the 
palasoliths, or palanthrops, mentioned above. The accompanying 
engraving shows one of them of medium size. They have been found 
in different parts of the Maumee River Basin, some of them not widely 
separated from fossil remains of the mastodon : but the character of 
their surroundings when found are not sufficiently attested to warrant 
their classification as belonging to the Age of Ice. 




Prehistoric Flint Knife, full size. Found in the Maumee River Basin. It resembles some of the 

' Palaioliths." Author's Collection. 



While excavating a tunnel into the loess of the Missouri River 
Valley in February, 1902, near Lansing, Kansas, remains of two human 
skeletons were found, one of which being better preserved is treasured 
as of great archaeological value. Warren Upham, in the magazine 
Records of the Past for September, 1902, vol. i, page 273, estimates 
the age of this skeleton at 12,000 years, which he regards "as no more 
than an eighth part of the whole duration of the Ice Age in its success- 



* The degree of weathering or change produced by time in flint, ordinary stones, or in any article 
may and generally does depend upon the character of the article itself, the dryness, moisture, heat, cold' 
lime, soda, sulphur, atmosphere, or other surroundings and conditions to which it has been subjected' 
When conditions are favorable there may be little if any change, consequently the condition of an 
article does not necessarily signify the time that has elapsed since it was shaped or used by man. The 
character of the substance of the article itself, its form, the character of its surroundings and the proba- 
ble changes that have occurred in them if any, should all be taken into the estimation. 



REMAINS OF EARLIER MAN AND HIS WORKS. 51 

ivc Albcrtoii, Altonian, Kaiisan, llrlvitian (or Buchanan), lowan and 
Wisconsin sta^^^'s. ... It can scarcely bf so little as 10,000 years, 
and may indeed, according; to estimates by other ^jlacialists for the date 
of the lowan staye, have been even 20,000 vv-ars, or more. At the 
most, it can be only a small fraction of the anti()uity of man in Europe, 
where he seems surely to have been coeval with the beninnin^ of the 
Ice Age." T. C. Chambcrlin, in the- American Journal of Geology 
for October and November, \W2, accords this Lansing skeleton 'a very 
respectable anti(|uity, but much short of the close of the glacial inva- 
sion.' W. II. Ilnlnies, in the American Anthropologist tor October- 
December, lUO:^, also places these remains in the Post-Glacial .\ge. In 
the April, lilO;!, Records of the Past, Cieorge Frederick Wright states 
that "whili' the glacial age of this skeleton mav, therefore, be confidently 
accepted, it shoukl be ke])t constantly in mind, for the relief of the 
anthropologist, that there is increasing evidence that the closing stages 
of the Glacial jjeriod in North .America did not long jjrecede that of 
the high stages of civilization brought to light by recent e.xplorations 
in Babylonia. Hilprecht and others would carry that date back to 
ilOOO or 10,000 vears, which would be within liOOO vears of the date 
assigned bv Mr. Upham to the deposition of the lowan loess."* 
In Seiitember, 190'2, the engineers in charge of the construction 
of the St. Louis Belt Railwa\', found a granite axe five inches long and 
three and one-half inches wide, three-quarters grooved and well finished, 
under fourteen feet of loess, a half mile northwest of Clayton, Missouri. 
Cyrus A. Peterson, M. D., who describes and ])ictures this axe in the 
Records of the Past for January, 1903, regards this discovery as evi- 
dence of the preglacial existence of man and his advancement in 
handiwork. 

Prehistoric M(iunds of Earth. 

Europeans, upon their advent into the Maumee River Basin, found 
little beside the wandering Aborigines, the wild animals, and other pro- 
ducts of Nature, to attract their attention, or to stimulate investigation. 
As the years passed, bringing an ever increasing population and the 
clearing of the forest, some persons there were who recognized in cer- 
tain tumuli, or mounds, the work of a people of whom the Aborigines, 
as seen at the beginning of the written records of the region, knew 
nothing, even by tradition. These mounds of earth, a very few crude 
articles sometimes found therein, and stone weapons, implements, and 
ornaments, in use when the existing Aborigines were discovered b\- 
Europeans, constitute all the works of man of a prehistoric character 
that have been discovered in this region. 

* See also proceedings of the Congress of Americanists. New York meeting, 1903 ; of the Amer- 
ican Association for the Advan-enienl of Science: the PoT//j- S~,:inci Mon(/l/y for March, 1903; end 
N. H, Winchell in the Bulletin 0/ the Geological Society 0/ America, 1903. 



52 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



Different writers have estimated the number of prehistoric earth 
mounds in Ohio at from ten to thirteen thousand. Probably the 
authentic number, great as it certainly is, is not so large as this. 

Bv far the larger number of these mounds are situated in the 
southern portion of the State. They were probably made for differ- 
ent uses: for burials, for defense, and perhaps, for religious cere- 
monies. Many are large and required great labor in their construction 
which may have been performed by prisoners of war subjected to 
slavery. 




Earth mound in the Northwest Quarter of Section 28, Defiance Township. Often erroneously 
called the work of Prehistoric people — The Mound Builders. Looking northeast across the valley of 
the Maumee River, 25th October, 1901. 



The number, and size, of similar mounds lessens materially 
toward the northern portion of Ohio ; and, probably, many of the 
prominences in this Basin that have in later years been called the work 
of man in the far distant past, are due wholly to natural agencies, 
such as the glacial or subsequent deposits, or erosions of water. 
The mounds, however, that are composed of different layers of earth 
separated in a suggestive way from their kind, with ashes, charred 
wood, etc., and with some anciently formed weapon or ornament of 
stone, or fragment of ancient pottery, found in definite arrangement, 
thus evidence their formation by mankind. 

While the Basin of the Maumee River was probably not the head- 



FEW MOUNDS IN THIS BASIN: THEIR BUILDERS. 55 

qiiaiU IS o( so fireat a nunilur of early ixoplis of somtwiiat sedentary 
or s< ttlicl haiiits as was the country to tlir south and southeast, it is 
probable that the Maumee River and its hirtjer tributaries were threat 
thoroughfares ol tra\-el b\ the prehistoric peoples, as they were by the 
historic Al)ori!iines from the time of the advent of the Eurojx-ans up to 
the time of tile removal of the last tribe to its western reservation in 
1H4;!. Some of those early v>eopli' also here heaped the earth in low 
conical mounds above the bodies of certain ones of their dead. 

The fact that so few artificial mounds are now found in this Basin 
is probablx due to several causes, amoufi which may he mentioned tlie 
sparse, or absence of, fixed population. This may have been due in 
part to th<^ dense forest and the^eneral flatness of the country conducive 
to great moisture and softness of the soil and to much of miasm and dis- 
ease in dry seasons; second, to this region being often patrolled by the 
Five Nations of the east, and its being the middle or enforced neutral 
ground between the wilder tribes to the northward and the more peace- 
ful or stronger, and consequently, more advanced people to the south- 
ward who were represented here only by occasional wandering bands 
that had lew ileaths and buried shallow from want of time, lapse of 
inclination, or fear of desecrations by their foes; third, to many of the 
smaller mounds, containing single or few bodies, becoming obliterated 
by the natural forces, or the plows of the early white settlers; fourth, 
to most of the bodies of those killed in battle, or dying of disease, not 
being interred. 

The belief has become quite general among archaeologists that the 
Mound Builders were the ancestors of the Aborigines as seen by Euro- 
peans, or of the Chereokee tribe particularly, and perhaps of the 
Shawnees also, and that they were distinct from their descendants only 
by their greater advancement toward civilization, they having had more 
fixed habitations which conserved their energy to the interdependent 
studv and practice of peaceful arts. 

It can readily be imagined that the Mound Builders met defeat by 
their distant cousins, the tribes to the northward who had remained in 
wildness and savagery, surging down upon them, like a horde of rapa- 
cious vandals that they were, and putting to death all who could not 
flee from their merciless attacks! This is the probable mode of their 
vanquishment. Their complete overthrow, ejectment or captivitv may 
have been accomplished in one year, or it may have been the result of 
repeated attacks through a series of years. 

Southern Ohio and the Cumberland River Valley, Tennessee, are 
among the regions containing the mounds and graves which have 
thus far yielded hammered native copper, chased gorgets and other 
ornaments that show the greatest advancement in handiwork of the 



54 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



prehistoric people of the more Northern United States of this 
meridian.* 

Undoubtedly the number was increasing among them, who were 
turning away from the wandering and warring habits of their ancestors 
to a more settled, peaceful and happier life, improving in handiw'ork 
and trade in village, or in tilling the soil near by. Their numbers, and 
the influence of their peaceful work, were extending northward; but 
there was not time allowed them to assume a firm and stable hold upon 
Northern Ohio before the irresistibly fatal invasion swept them away 
with all the evidences of their advancement excepting their fortresses 
and burial mounds, and such articles as were preserved therein or were 
lost on the surface to be covered for centuries and then to be turned up 
liy the plows, or like their relics in the mounds be excavated, by a 
different and much further advanced people. The savage, victorious 




Location of Preliistoric Mounds and Circles of Eartli in Noitheui Oliiu and Noitlieaslern Indiana. 



invaders constructed few, if any mounds, nor did they undertake so 
much work as was necessary to destroy those of the vanquished. 

The writer's record embraces something over fifty mounds and 
earthworks in this Basin that can properly be classed as the work of 
prehistoric man. Their situation is on high ground, in small groups 
widely scattered. 

About twenty mounds have been noted in DeKalb and Steuben 
Counties, Indiana. Mastodon remains, some very large and complete, 
have also been found in a half dozen places in DeKalb near some of 
these mounds. In section 27, of Smithfield Township, the remains of a 
Mastodon were found in good preservation at a depth of four feet in 
blue clay, whereas such preserved bones are usually found in muck or 
peat where the animal mired and met its death by asphyxiation or star- 



* See The Antiquities of Tennessee and the Adjacent States, by Gates P. Thruston, 2nd 
edition. Report on the Mound Explorations of the Bureau of Ethnology, by Cyrus Thomas, Washing- 
ton, 1894. Archaeological History of Ohio, by Gerard Fowke. Columbus. 1902. 



PREHISTORIC MOUNDS AND THEIR CONTENTS. 



55 



vation. Thr tiiounds in this vicinity contained considi-rahli- charcoal. 
In one near Waterloo the charcoal was several feet in thickness, and 
covered the remains of twenty-five or more persons, whose bodies were 
deposited irregularly as though hastily and indifferently.* 

Nine mounds of earth have been reported in Allen County, 
Indiana.! Four of these are on high land between Cedar and Willow 
Creeks and near the Fort Wayne branch of the Lake Shore and Michi- 
gan Southern Railway. Two are situate about forty feet apart in north 
and south line, and the other two fifteen rods east about the same dis- 
tance apart in east and west line. The\- were explored many years 
ago and found to contain human remains, charcoal, something of 
crudely hammered coi^per ornaments, and of the ordinary chipped fiint 
points. A large oblong mound exists four miles southward of the 




Type-forms of Prehisloric Flint Knives (Nos. 1, 2). Arrow and Spear Points, Perforators (Nos. 17, 18), 
and Scrapers (No. 16). They vary much in size. Of the ' Points " about oOtX) to 1 are beveled to the left, 
as shown here in the thick Number 11. 



above named; and at Cidarville, mar the St. Joseph River, are three 
mounds about one hundred feet apart parallel with the river in north- 
east line. 

A single small mound existed on the east bank of the river about 
four miles north of Fort Wayne, and this is the most southern part of 
Allen County at which prehistoric earthworks have been determined. 

Nine mounds have been determined on the high banks of the 
Maumee River. Two of these mounds are in Indiana near the Ohio 
line, four also on the south bank at Antwerp, Ohio, the first of which 
is one mile west of this village, the second in the park within the cor- 
poration, the third one-half mile, and the fourth one mile eastw-ard. 

A mound was found on the high south bank of the Maumee River, 
a few rods west of the middle north and south line of Section twenty- 



* See the Sixteenth Report of Indiana Geology, page 104. 

+ By Colonel Robert S. Robertson, reported in the History oj Allen County, and to the writer. 



56 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



seven of Defiance Township, (nearly a half mile above the present 
Water Works pumping station ) by Joshua Hilton, who purchased the 
farm emliracing this land in January, 1H22. This mound was about 
four feet above the surrounding land, about thirty feet in diameter, and 
was covered with oak trees 18 to 20 inches in diameter. Mr. Hilton 
and his son, Brice, who gave the writer this information, opened this 
mound in the year 1824. A small quantity of liony fragments were 
found which readily crumbled between the fingers on being handled. 
Human teeth were found, some of which were of large size. Some 




Riaht Bank of the Auglaize River, looking north, 19th September, 1901, from the southwest corner 
of Section 3, Defiance Township, Ohio, at the mouth of Garman Run. Low stage of water- The Glacial 
Till somewhat stratified. To the right of the central distance a Prehistoric Burial Mound is being 
undermined by the high waters and freezings. This Mound formerly contained eight human bodies in 
sitting posture. The bones disintegrated some years ago. 



dark stone gorgets were also found, about four by two inches in size, 
pierced with slanting holes of goose-quill' size. This mound was 
excavated and used as a cellar liy the family, the first house, built of 
logs, being at convenient distance from it. The site of this mound 
was undermined by the river many years ago. 

The other two mounds along the Maumee were on the north hank 
on the farm of Captain Clayton W. Everett, just above the line of the 
Citv of Toledo. In leveling one of these mounds in the summer of 



ARTIFICIAL MOUNDS BY THE AUGLAIZE RIVER. 57 

I'.KIO, a bar i)r i)itk-sha]Hd aniuU-t, of dark, fine-grained slate, was 
fouiul which measures eijihteen inches in leni^tli, the lon^iest on record. 
Tliis has been dejjosited in the museum of the Ohio State Arch;L'olo(fical 
am! ilistorical Societx', Columbus. 

Alony tin Aujjlai/.e Kiver, five mounds have lieen determined; two 
in the western part of Putnam County, near Duijont, and three in Di-fi- 
ance Township. One, situated on tin- hi^h last liank near the south 
line of Section H, about four miles southwest of Defiance Court House, 
is now nearly obliterated bv infringement of the jiulilic road and under- 
mininti 1)\ the river. (See engraving.) This mound was opened by 
curious neighbors previous to 1870. Decaying bones of eight or ten 
persons who had evidently been buried in sitting posture, were found 
with charcoal . 

A smaller mound, about two feet high and fourteen feet in diameter, 
was situated on the' high west liank of the Auglaize-, ne-ar the middle 
north and south line of Section 34, two and one-fourth mihs southwest 
of Defiance Cejurt House. It was explored in the suinmer of 1878. 
About si.x inches below the surface of the central part a circular group 
of stones varying from two to five inches in diameter were found that 
had been taken from the river channel near by. They rested ui)on a 
layer of clay two inches thick, like the surrounding land in qualitv, 
which had be-e-n sulijected to gre-at heat while wet and was, conse- 
c^uently, very hard and brick-like. P.eneath this layer of clay was a 
layer of ashes two inches thick, and eight or ten sticks of thoroughly 
charred wood about two feet long and two or more inches thick in their 
largest parts. With the ashes were, also, bits of charred flesh and 
small bones, perhaps of some animal, but the kind could not be deter- 
mined, and small fragments of crude pottery which easily crumbled. 
Upon removing the ashes and about one foot of hardened earth, human 
bones were found in an advanced stage of decomposition, consisting of 
parts of the calvariuni and long bones of one person, head lying a 
little east of north. With these bones was found only one plain gorget 
four inches long, one and three-eighths inches wide and one-half inch 
thick, tapering on the sides toward the ends, and with two holes one 
and a half inches apart and equidistant from the ends. These holes 
are of one-fourth inch diameter on one side and taper gradually and 
smoothly to one-eight inch on the opposite side. The gorget is of Ohio 
Shale such as is seen in the bed of the Auglaize River nearby. About 
forty rods north, also on the high bank overlooking the river, was 
another mound of like size and contents, excepting the gorget. 

The only mound, however, that has been generally known and 
talked about as the work of the Mound Builders near Defiance, has 
been considered b\ the writer as a natural mound, caused by erosions 



58 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



of the river around. It is situate toward the southeast side of Blodgett 
Island (see engraving) eastward from the two mounds last described, 
it being near the east line of Section thirt\-four in Defiance Township, 
and a little north of the center of the south-east quarter of the Section, 




Preliistoric Arlicles made ami used by the Aborigines. Found durint: later years in the Maumee 
River Basin, and now in the Author's Collection. Nos. 1 to 6. Fragments of Pottery; 7, Turtle shaped 
Granite; 8. 10. Plumbet and Halt-t'lobe of Haematite; 9, Double Discoid of Granite; 11 to 16, Tobacco 
Pipes; 17, 18. Bird-form Amulets of Slate ; 19, 24, 2.5. 33, 34. Banner Stones of Slate; 21, 22, Awls of Deer 
Bones; 23, 26, 3", 38, 30. Goreets of Slate; 29. Pendant; 31. 32, Bar Amulets of Granite; 35, 36, 37, Wam- 
pum of Shells: 38, Part of Elk Horn used in Planting' Corn: :^9, Celt, * Thunderbolt ' or Tomahawk of 
Granite: 40, Pestle and Roilintr Pin, also 41, 44, Pestle and Stone Base [uncommon], for Cracking and 
Grinding Corn; 43. A\e, H Grooved. Weight, 6'^ lbs.. Length, 9% inches: 43, .Axe. Full Grooved, for 
twisting around Withe Handle: 45, Ball for Games. The articles last named are of the hardest Granite, 
and some of them show long tiine weathering. 



and forty rods northwest of the present Cement Works. This mound, 
in the summer of 1898, was thirty-five feet above the ordinary summer 
level of the river, twenty-five above the land immediately to the south. 



NATURAL MOUNDS ON AND NEAR BLODGETT ISLAND. 59 

and twintv titt al)()vc- that a ft-w rods to tlu' nortli. It is somewhat 
ellii)tical in outline, its longest diamiter hiinn a little north of east 
bv south of west, and measures r)r)x4() feet from i)()ints midway 
from base to summit Irom whicli i)oints the slopings are 
gradual, lulow and above, beini; rather more abrupt on the 
south side, against which the current strikes in high stages 
of the river. 'I'his mound was covered with trees, the same as 
parts of the island and the river banks in tlu- vicinity, until the year 
1874 when it, with the land around not then under cultivation, was 





Blodu'ett Island in the Auglaize River, Defiance Towii^lnp. l.ookins vvest.Snd November, 19()2. The 
main branch of the River is by the distant trees. The larye Mound toward the rinlit has been called the 
work of the Mound Builders, but it is of the same formation as the neiyhboriui: hith places and is, prob- 
ably, a natural mouaduock like the peculiar triangular eminence at the month of Powell Creek a few- 
hundred feet to the left. This island is sixty acres in extent. 



cleared, and the island was i)lant(-d with corn. It has l)een regularly 
cultivated since, occasionall\- wheat being the crop, to the north ]iar- 
ticularly. The plowing has been e.\tended upward on the sides of the 
mound each time and this and the washings of rain have materiallv 
modified its outline. It was partially opened many years ago with 
negative result. In ll-<95 the writer obtained permission from Adam 
Wilhelm, for many years its owner, to excavate it : but in the winter it 
was found that some persons had surreptitiously dug into its eastern 



60 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

summit a hole six feet square to the depth of aliout eight feet. Again, 
in the winter of 1897-98, an excavation was made liy the same persons 
two feet to the southwest of the other, eight feet square and to a depth 
of ten feet or more. These openings were not seen by the writer until 
heavv rains had washed their sides and causid much filling. The 
ground material thrown out by these dii^gings was the same as that 
composing the high banks ot the ri\er in the vicinity, with nothing of 
the alluvium covering the other parts ol the island. 

This work of excavation was done by ignorant jiersons with the 
hope of finding material of commercial value, and, possibly the chest 
of money which rumor many years ago said was buried in this direction 
from Defiance. The tradition of buried money has been perpetuated 
in nearly every section of the country. In and about Defiance belief 
in this tradition has been strong, and the desire for great gain has 
induced many persons to dig into many prominences in field and woods 
without regard for archaeological considerations. 

At the eastern edge of the second glacial lake beach, on the head- 
waters of Bad Creek, in Pike Township, ten miles northeast of Wau- 
seon, Fulton County, Ohio, there were early discovered on the Howard 
farm eleven mounds of small size, arranged in somewhat of circular 
fcsrm. Nearly all of these mounds were dug into soon after their dis- 
covery by persons actuated by curiosity, or the more serious desire for 
articles of commercial value. A few human bones, some charcoal, and 
a few (to the vandals) indifferent articles of flint and slate, were the 
res.ult of their work. In the year 1884, Judge William H. Handy, then 
a resident of Wauseon, led an exploring party to these burial places, 
with somewhat better results. They called several of them sacrificial 
mounds on account of patches of earth, hardened by fire, which they 
termed altars. 

Such places of baked clay in the earth mounds of ancient people 
were called altars by Squier and Davis, in the first volume of the Smith- 
sonian publications. But, if they were altars, they do not necessarily 
imi)ly the custom of human sacrifice : nor does the finding of charcoal 
so generally in these mounds, imply cremation of their dead. Fire was 
used in these places possibly as a funeral rite : but these places were 
probably used for camps in wet seasons, and the fire was used for heat- 
ing and cooking ; also the smallest bones found thereabout are proba- 
bly of the animals there eaten. 

The finding in Tennessee of adult skeletons in stone graves too 
small for the complete body, has been interpreted as reburials of the 
bones after the flesh had disappeared. Likewise skeletons of numerous 
bodies, found in separated and promiscuous condition under ashes, 
baked clay, charcoal, etc., with charred posts, leads to the inference 



EXTINCT ANIMAL REMAINS: CIRCULAR EARTH RIDGES. 6/ 

tliat tin prehistoric i)i()i)lr l>iuii(l tlnir cii;ui unciir the floor of their 
hut, like some of the later aliorit;ines ; or iiad a charnel house, and 
when for anv causi' a chan^ie of location was desired they burned the 
house and sonutinies threw U|) a mound over the remains. 

MASlDhllN \Nll OniKk ICXTIN'CT AmMAI, RkMAINS. 

'I'iie petrilied remains of several mastodons have also bt-en found 
in Fulton County, the most complete and perfect heinn in York Town- 
ship eight miles southeast of Wauseon. In the southeastern part of 
the Basin like remains have been Inund as well as in the western ])art 
before mentioned: also in Auglaize County, Ohio, jiarts of eight 
mastodon skeletons have been found, and the rtniains of the giant 
beaver, both ot which animals were co-existent with man in the Mau- 
mee River Basin following the subsidence of the glacial waters. 

l'kK-1 lis roRU- ClKCI.KS ANIi S K Ml -Cl Rll.KS (IK EaKTU RiDCES. 

Earth enclosures also al)ound in Ohio and in other States. In 
form these vary from square to more or less octagonal and circular. 
Their uses have been discussed as hill forts, geometrical enclosures, 
as sacred and as defensive walls, forming partial enclosures.* 

Of circles, the writer has record of three in the Maumee River 
Basin: also of four semi-circles. It is regretted that full and accurate 
surveys were not made of these ancient earthworks before their obliter- 
ation: but authentic data ot their existence, situation and approximate 
size, have been gathered by the writer from elderly persons residing 
near, and from various other sources. 

Beginning in the northwestern part of the Basin and following 
down the streams, we note first, a circular ridge of earth on the 
moraine in the northeastern and highest part of Smithfield Township, 
DeKalb County, Indiana. The ridge is rather indefinite in part, with 
indications of possibly two original openings, while in other places it is 
yet near three feet in height. Its diameter is about 200 feet. Another 
circle is situate about four miles northeast of Hamilton, Steuben 
County, in Richland Township. It is locally known as the Mystic 
Circle, is 68 yards in diameter, and averages between three and four 
feet in height with a breadth of 12 feet at the base of the earth wall or 
ridge. Both of these circular earthworks show an entrance opening of 
12 to 14 feet wide, a little west of south. Manx large trees are grow- 
ing in and around both these circles. 

The third circular earthwork, now nearly obliterated bv cultivation 



* For a full discussion of Prehistoric Mounds and Enclosures, see the Twelfth Annual Report of 
the Bureau of Ethnology. W'ashincton, 18W. 4to. paces XLVI1I^T42. Also Archaeological History of 
Ohio, by the Slate Society. Columbus. 1902. etc. 



62 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



of the land, was situated on the east (left) bank, in a l)end of the River 
St. Joseph, in the northern ])art of St. Joseph Township, .\llen County, 
Indiana. 

A few miles lielow', on the west bank, 
is a semi-circular ridge with opening;" to the 
about 600 feet in arc, and is yet about two 
fined ditch on the outside. ' Very 
the embankment have fallen and uone to decav.' 



oi>posite Antrap's mill,' 
river. The earthwork is 
feet hiifh, with a well de- 
large trees which have grown on 
de— ' * 



Three semi-circular ridges of earth were found along "the lower 
Maumee River. The first was observed between the years 1837-46, 
and the bookt from which the accompanying engraving is inade, was 
pul)lished in 1848 as the first volume of the Smithsonian Contributions 

to knowledge. The description given at 
that time reads that 

Tliis work is situated on the riglit bank of the 
Maumee River, two miles above Toledo, in Wood 
County, Ohio. The water of the river is here deep 
and still, and of the lake level ; the bluff is about .35 
feet high. Since the work was built, the current has 
undermined a portion, and parts of the embankment 
are to be seen on the slips, a, a. The country for 
miles in all directions is flat and wet, and is heavily 
timbered, as is the space in and around this inclos- 
ure. The walls, measuring from the bottoms of the 
ditches, are from three to four feet high. They are 
not of uniform dimensions throughout their extent ; 
and as there is no ditch elsewhere, it is presumable 
that the work was abandoned before it was finished. 
Nothing can be more plain than that most of the re- 
mains in Northern Ohio are military works. There 
have not yet been found any remnants of the timber 
in the walls ; yet it is very safe to presume that 
palisades were planted on them, and that wood posts and gates were erected at the pas- 
sages left in the embankments and ditches. All the positions are contiguous to water ; 
and there is no higher land in their vicinity from which they might in any degree be 
commanded. Of the works bordering on the shore of Lake Erie, through the State of 
Ohio, there are none but may have been intended for defense ; although in some of 
them the design is not perfectly manifest. They form a line from Conneaut to Toledo, 
at a distance of from three to five miles from the lake, and all stand upon or near the 
principal rivers. The most natural inference with respect to the northern 

cordon of work is. that they formed a well-occupied line, constructed either to protect 




Prehistoric Earthwork at Eajile Point 
near Toledo. 



* The two last named earthworks were but briefly mentioned by Col. Robert S. Robertson, of Fort 
Wayne, in a contribution years ago to one of the newspapers (name and date not known to the writer} of 
his city, with the title Prehistoric Remains. A clippinc is preserved in his scrap book, now in pos- 
sesion of the writer, who is further informed that no definite survey was made of the enclosures or 
mounds mentioned above. 

1 Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley, by E. George Squier and Dr. E. H. Davis, Wash- 
ington, 1848. 



PREHISTORIC SEMI-CIRCULAR FORT EARTHWORKS. 63 

the advance of a nation landing from the lake and moving southward lor conquest ; or. 
a line of resistance for people inhabiting these shores and pressed upon by their southern 
neighbors. The scarcity of mounds, the absence of pyramids of earth, which are so 
common on. the Ohio River, the want of rectangular or any other regular works at the 
north all these differences tend to the conclusion that the northern part of Ohio was 
inhabited by a distinct people. 

TIk- writtT quoted ahoNc ])rt])ancl ;i iiain|)liKt later, wliicli was 
ptiMislii il lor tin W'lsti Til KesfrvL- Historical Society, clescriptivi' of 
this line of I'arth works* showiny tlu' one luri' eiifiraved as the most 
westerly of the series. 

About two miles below the abinc- mtntioned semi-circle, another 
of similar form was later described.'" It was situate also on the ea^t 
bank of the Maumee a little above the present Fassett Street Brid^^f 
and back of the present Cincinnati, Hamilton, and l)a\ton Railroad 
Grain Elevator, in Toledo. When surveyed by Grove K. Gilbert 
the ridfie of earth was little less than two feet above the surface, 
and ditches existed within and without. Its diameter was 'AH7 feet, 
its curve irregular as though its location had been influenced by 
the position of trees. At one point, i)robably the entrance, a 
second short ridge existed inside the principal one. 'I"he northern end 
rested on the river bank a few yards south of the present Fassett 
Street. When Klias Fassett settled at his present residence nearliv, 
previous to the yi ar \x'iiK the site of this inclosure was covered with 
large sugar maple trees. Not a vestige of this ancient earthenwork, 
nor of the one above described, now remains. There are in the 
vicinity of the site of the one last described two small streets named 
Fort and Crescent, suggestive of its use and form. 

The last prehistoric earth- 
work of this series remaining to 
lie described, was situated on the 
south bank of Swan Creek, a few 
s(|uares above its entrance into 
the Maumee River. It included 
the present crossing of 01i\-er and 
Clayton Streets, Toledo, as shown 
in the accompanying engraving. t 
At the time of its survey in 
l^^Tl, it had been nearly obliter- 
ated by the grading of the streets, 
but was restored in this drawing 
b\ aid of old citizens familiar 

Prehisloiic Ka,linv,„k in Toledo. ^^.jfj^ jf^ Outlines. ItS shorteSt 




Toledo, Ohio 



* Ancient Earth Forts o/ths Cuyahoga Valley, Ohio, by Col. Chas. Whittlesey. Cleveland, I87I. 
t Geological Survey of Ohio. Geolony, volume i, paye 586. 



64 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

diameter was 400 feet, and its walls extinded down the lilutf to 
the former channel of the creek which has wandered northward a 
square or more, evidently since this inclosure was built, leaving a 
small flood-plain throuKh which a channel was cut for lake boats about 
the year 1H70. 

A few pieces of pottery and stone implements have been found in 
and about these inclosures; but they are not authentic as relics of 
those who constructed the earthworks, nor of their early occupants. 

The later Aborigines, and the early French fur buyers also occu- 
pied some of them, if not all. The latter ])robalily erected stockades 
Qn their ridges to protect their stocks of brandy and trinkets for trade. 
The number and situation of these earthworks make it improbable 
that the early European traders built them. 

At the dawn of history in this Basin, and for many years there- 
after, the Iroquois or Five Nations of New York were at war with the 
Miamis and the Illinois tribes, and it is probable that those aggressive 
and generally successful warriors used these inclosures, if they did not 
build them, as rallying points, and as means of defense when hard 
pressed, on their long campaigns. The three by the lower Maumee 
were well situated to guard their route against their enemies to the 
northward; and those in northeastern Indiana to guard against the 
Miamis, whose headquarters at the head of the Maumee were within 
easy reach of the two lowest enclosures by the St. Joseph River. If 
defeated at one rallying point, retreat to the next one could be 
easily made.* 

Similar circular ridges of earth in Southern Ohio, and farther 
south, have been termed sacred enclosures; the smallest ones hut 
rings, and the largest ones lodge sites or walls embracing and pro- 
tecting a collection of lodges, to the number of even one hundred.! 

The Aborigines as First Described. 

The American Aborigines when they first saw Europeans were 
awe-struck by the size of their ships, and b\' the accouterments, 
conduct and general ajipearance of their visitors; and for a time the 
foreigners were treated with native reverence begotten of fear and 
wonderment. A short-time association, however, demonstrated to the 
Europeans the savage nature of these primitive peojile. 

Perhaps the best all-sided glimpses we get of some of the first 



* The Iroquois had circular forts with stockades in New York in 1615 : also the Wyandots { Hurons ). 
The Jesuits advised the latter to build their forts in square form so that the French arquebuses at two 
diagonal corners could protect the entire enclosure. The palisaded forts were probably built after the 
suggestion of Europeans who supplied the metal axes for the work. See Parkman's Pioneers of 
France in the New World, page 403. .\lso The Jesuit Relations. 

*Eleventh Report of the Peabody Museum, vol. ii. pages 347. 348. 



CHARACTER OF THE ABORIGINES WHEN FIRST SEEN. 65 

historical AhorinirifS whose ctiscinihints infested the Maumee River 
Basin in later times, are from the Jesuits* who, from the year 1610, 
traveled alonn the St. Lawrence River, north and south, and along the 
Great Lakes. Their altars, chants, robes, and their kindly demeanor 
made a grt-at impression at first upon these Aborigines and, although 
several priests later suffered great violence and death at the hands of 
these savages, they were generally afforded good opportunities for 
observing the characteristics and the wretched state of these children 
of the wilds: and the refined spirits of these priests enabled them to 
write forbearingly of the multiform barbarities they could not prevent, 
and which they were compi'lled to witnt-ss and sometimes personally 
experience. 

While it is given to but few of the civilized and somewhat cul- 
tured people to rise very high above childhood's estate, in many ways, 
there was not one of these primitive people but who was childish in 
the extreme, in most respects throughout life, although at times 
exhibiting the ferocity of a tiger. The early record of them, given in 
the writings of these missionaries, is but a continued series of contra- 
dictions, with a great preponderance of unbridled savagery springing 
from their primitive impulsive sensuousness. In most respects they 
were but little above the savage wild beasts surrounding them, and in 
some of their exuberances they were general!}' fiendish. While they 
were at times somewhat amiable, they were licentious and impure. 
They were lazy, rude, egotistical and boastful. At times generous and 
liberal, they were generally improvident, selfish and full of banter. 
With something of fortitude they were cowardly, importuning and with 
much of inconstancy. Their fidelity was opposed by craftiness and 
treachery ; their charity by ingratitude, hypocrisy and deceit ; their 
modestv bv assertions of their superiority. Their moods were 
very changeable, but not so their filthy habits, pride and arrogance, 
suspicion and jealousy ; and among a long list of other indict- 
ments are those of covetousness, thievishness, foulness of language, 
ingratitude, malice, noisiness of manners, contempt for strangers, 
faithlessness, with much of cruelty and ferocity and, often, worse 
than the savage beasts in their want of natural affection for their 
sick and afflicted progeny and aged kinsfolk, who were often either 
killed outright, or left to starve and die alone and unprotected. 

Thev were styled savages by the missionaries : and a late writer 
styles them the fiercest savages known to history, and the most 
wretched of the races of man.t 



* Jesvit Relations of Travels and Explorations of the Jesuit Missionaries in New France. 
1610-1791. Cleveland, 1K96-1902, seventy-three volumes, 8 vo. 

t The Jesuit Relations. Cleveland, 1896, vol. i, pages viii and 38. 



66 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Their bodies were j^enerally of good height, \vell-V)roportioned, 
lithe and vigorous, as no deformed or weakling one was permitted to 
survive childhood. " Their complexion," wTOte Rev. Joseph Jouvency, 
is the same as the French, although they disfigure it with fat and 
rancid oil, with which they grease themselves: nor do they (the men) 
neglect paints of various colors, by means of which they appear 
beautiful to themselves, but to us ridiculous. Some may be seen with 
blue noses, but with cheeks and eyebrows black ; others mark fore- 
head, nose and cheeks with lines around the eyes and in different 
directions and with various colors derived from earths, roots, etc., all 
mixed with grease, so that one would think he beheld so many hob- 
goblins. Others I'aint the entire body so as to resemble clothing at a 
distance, or otherwise. They believe that in colors of this description 
they are dreadful to their enemies, and that likewise their own fear in 
line of battle will be concealed as by a veil : finally, that it hardens the 
skin of the body, so that the cold of winter is more easilv borne." 
Some of them also indeliblv tattooed the neck, chest, arms and cheeks 
with powdered charcoal, by means of thorns, thus portraying rude 
outlines of birds or animals, such as the snake, eagle, toad, etc. 
Occasional deaths were noted from this practice, probably by blood- 
poisoning from the impure rancid greases and other filth with which 
the charcoal was mixed, and from their general uncleanly habits. 

The hair was worn in different stvles. Some disposed of it from 
the sides of the head and tied the central remaining part together so as 
to stand upward : others trained the hair downward over the temples. 
All persistently pulled out the beard. Men and women alike, pierced 
the lobes of their ears, and some their noses, making the holes as 
large as practicable, and wore therein mollusk shells or whatever of 
bright objects they could get. 

Winter clothing was nearly alike for men and women. It was 
composed of skins of animals fastened together with animal tendons 
or strips of skin, and suspended from the shoulders or over one 
shoulder and under the other and it extended generally to about the 
knees. A belt was often worn and the robe was pouched over the 
stomach thus forming a receptacle for personal belongings. Leggings 
and moccasins were also worn out of doors; and sleeves, which were 
large at the shoulders and nearly came together at the back. These 
limb coverings were removed by all on entering the lodge ; and the 
men usually disrobed to nudity excepting a piece of bark or skin sus- 
pended from the waist in front which was their onlv summer covering. 
Seldom was any covering worn on the head. Belts, necklaces and 
bracelets made of round clam shells or quahaug ( Venus mercenaria) or 
from cjuills of the porcupine, were valued highly. 



HABITATIONS AND FOODS OF THE ABORIGINES. 67 

Tluv niovicl Ironi i)lar< to placi- with j^nat facility. The women, 
assistfcl by the' childnn, did all thu heavy work includinti the drawnnj? 
or carryinti of all tluir mrantr hLJonKintis and the jiuttinn up of a 
lodge or wifiwani, u In n our was necessary in cold weather. They 
would put up a t><])ee ( ti])i i in from half hour to two hours by gather- 
inji poles, sticking them in the ground, fastening the to]i ends together, 
and cove-ring the sides with skins, bark, branches of trees, moss or 
mats made of rushes or tough grass. A hut was even more readily 
built in the fore'st. .\n oinning was left at the top for the smoke of 
the f'lrt' to escape, wliich it did Imt ini])erfe(tl v, causing much irritation 
and injury to the eyes of the inmates with additional repulsiveness to 
thi-ir general ai)])earance and odor. Foliage of trees and grass was 
sometimes laitl on tlu ground and alone usid, or covered with skins or 
mats for beds. .\ piece of bark or a suspended skin served as door if 
such was thought necessary as a protection against cold winds. For 
summer use, if to remain in one place for some length of timi', liroader 
and longer cabins were sotnetimes built in form of arbors, l)ark and mats 
being used for covering. These w-ere often large enough to accommo- 
date several families- as many as tw'elve being mentioned by Cham- 
plain, two families using one fire in common. They had no chairs nor 
other furniture and sat on the ground with their heels close to the body 
and knees close to tlie chin. 

They obtained fire by striking two hard stones together with glanc- 
ing strokes (one i^iece of iron pyrites and one piece of flint were pre- 
ferred ) over the dried skin of an eagle's thigh with the down left on, 
or over spunk or pulverized bark, which caught the sparks and served 
as the first kindling. They also made fire by the friction method of 
rotating a dr\- stick rapidly liack and forth lietween the hands, one 
end bi-ing pressed against a dry stone or stick. 

Their food, in winter jiarticularly, was largely of meat obtained by 
hunting, trapping and fishing, in which the men generally took the 
lead, often making long and tedious journeys and suffering much from 
hunger in the chase. Here, also, the women generally gathered dead 
limbs of trees and made the tire, found the water, prepared the food, 
preserved the meats by smoking and drying them, prepared the skins 
and made the clothing, did much of the fishing, made and repaired the 
canoes, snow shoes and utensils, and went for the game to the place 
where their lords had killed and left it. The meat of the bear was 
jjreferred on account of the large quantity of grease it contained. Eggs 
of wild fowls were eaten, also wild fruits, berries, beans, nuts and 
roots in their season. These people were, however, improvident, and 
dire hunger sorely distressed them in unfavorable seasons. When not 
pressed by enemies, some maize (corn, zea mays) was cultivated by 



68 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

the wonifn, then fither roastt-d on thP ear, or iiounded, wet with water 
and baked between heated stones. The succotash, composed of corn, 
beans and sometimes vegetables, boiled together, was a later dish after 
the receipt of metal utensils from Europeans. Receptacles were made 
of bark (they possessed no metal utensils until sup|ilied 1)\- Euroiieans) 
in which meats and other food were placed with water and then more 
or less cooked by means of heated stones dropped into the mess. They 
had no salt for their food. Their meager culinary utensils were, like 
their game, never cleaned — the more saturated they were with grease 
the better — and they partook of the general filthiness of the lodge or 
camp. They ate from their hand direct: and the hands of the men 
and women, when dripping with grease, were wiped on their hair or 
clothes. When otherwise particularly or obnoxiously covered the 
hands were wiped on the shaggy hair of a dog or rubbed with powdered 
rotten wood or whatever was most convenient. Their nails were never 
cut, nor particularly cleaned. Water for bathing was not in favor; 
vermin abounded on their persons and were eaten when caught. 

These people were bred to savagery and war A slight offense 
or injury, real or imagined, inflicted on any member of a band or 
tribe would excite a desire for revenge, and war would generally 
result. These conflicts were waged by small bands, by the entire 
tribe or by a combination of tribes, according to circumstances 
and conditions. Their weapons for warfare and against the wild 
beasts were bows and arrows, javelins or spears and, for closer com- 
bat, stone axes, stone tomahawks and clubs of wood or stone heads. 
Their bows were made of hickory, oak, ash, and sometimes of softer 
woods, often reinforced along the back with rawhide. These bows 
were operated with strings of rawhide or twisted hemp bark (cannabis 
sativa). The arrows were feathered at the heel and often pointed at 
the head with flint or bone. Possibly some of these points were some- 
times dipped in the juices of poisonous plants and then dried, for use 
against their enemies; but the general uncleanly conditions were suffi- 
cient to account for all inflammations and blood poisonings authenti- 
cally recorded from their use. The weapons were generally carried in 
belt or skin quiver. The axes and tomahawks were halted with withes 
wrapped around them and, later, covered with wet rawhide which 
shrunk, on drying, and formed a stiff, serviceable handle. Firm wood 
was sometimes shaped as handles by burning to the desired length and 
. then scraping with flints. Occasionally one protected himself against 
enemies by a shield made of bark covered with rawhide. A few 
warriors also wore for a time armor for body and limbs made of dried 
rawhide or of braided twigs, strips of bark or hemp. Probably the 
idea of armor and of shield was obtained from the earlier Europeans. 



THE FIERCEST SAVAGES KNOWN TO HISTORY. 69 

Hotli shiilds aiui atrimr were Imt littlr employed on account of their 
interfering vvitli their movements throutjh the woods and the free use 
of their liodies in hattU'. All their powers of deception, stealth and 
treachery were tnijiloyed in their campaigns afjainst and in the attack- 
intfs of their enemies. The chief desire was to surjirise, by amhush or 
stealthy ai)pr()ach, tin- iiarty they wished to assail, and in the confusion 
and panic that followed to slay or cai)ture as many as possible. No 
attempt was made to maintain a regular order and line of battle: in 
fact the war-chief, like their other nominal leaders generally, had little 
if any control after the combat luyan. Those of the enemy slain, or 
wounded so they could not walk well, were scaljied. 

Cai)tives were generally very desirable for slaves or, if jiarticularly 
obnoxious enemies, they were subjected to the most fiendish tortures 
according to the convenience, mood and degree of frenzy of the captors 
and their women or friends. They were generally stripped of clothing 
and forced to run the gauntlet between rows of their tormentors who, 
armed with whips, thorns, sharp sticks, clubs, and other articles, 
goaded, Inat and lacerated the limbs and body until the ]>oor victim 
often fell bleeding and exhausted; when he was left to revive, to be 
again beset with new tortures — his nails torn from his fingers by their 
teeth, the fingers crushed or cut off, his limbs broken, his seal]) re- 
moved, his limbs pierced by shar]! sticks and the nerves drawn out, 
his wounds burned by live coals of fire and blazing torches which were 
applied to the most sensitive ])arts. Pieces of roasted flesh would be 
cut or torn from the limbs, eaten by the persecutors and their children, 
or thrust down the throat of the sufferer. If he showed great fortitude 
and endurance the torment was continued from day to day intermit- 
tingly ; his blood w^as applied to freshly made openings in the skin of 
his tormentors that they might therefrom become imbued with his forti- 
tude : he was made to walk through fire ; his flesh was lacerated and 
burned in new places: he was tied to a stake and a slow fire kindled 
under him and more of his flesh distributed and eaten. Finally, when 
the victim was exhausted and could be made to suffer no more, his 
heart was torn out and eaten that they might thereby receive his 
bravery and endurance. 

Each individual and tribe endeavored to exceed the others in their 
atrocities. The women generally entered into these fiendish acts with 
high glee : and while women cajitives were generally treated with less 
atrocity, and were often adopted into the tribe and married bv their 
captors, they occasionally suffered the same fate as the men. 

Captive children, if strong, were generally kept, and the youths 
and less obnoxious captives were also sometimes saved from mutilation 



70 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

and death and subjected to slavery or adopted. The stronger tribes 
increased in numbers materially by such captures. 

The scalps of enemies were considered great trophies. They were 
at first suspended from the belts of their takers, and then dried, painted 
and displayed liy the women inside the lodges, or outside on poles, that 
all members of the camp, young and old, might continually he im- 
pressed with the prowess of the possessors of the largest number. 

The heads of the vanquished were sometimes severed as trophies 
and their limbs were occasionally removed and carried away for food, 
as all of these warring tribes were cannibals. 

There was no tendency among these Aborigines toward the better- 
ing of their very low, savage condition at the time of the coming of the 
Europeans early in the seventeenth century. They possessed nothing 
that could be called government in general. Individualism and im- 
pulse were the rule, ever varying with the condition and mood. There 
were no laws, no magistrates, no regular marriage ceremony, no code 
of ethics or of morals. Their social relations were meager, consisting 
mostly of their loose combinations for war, feastings and dances. 

Their industries were of the most primitive kind. The forming of 
canoes from bark represented their most skillful handiwork. Some 
there were who fashioned snares and traps for wild animals, including 
fish, of strings and mats. They were not workers of metals other than 
of native hematite or blood iron ore, fragments of which they dressed 
as they did stones, and of native copper fragments which they pounded 
bv stones into somewhat of the forms desired ; but of these there were 
comparatively few articles. 

Their weapons and implements, other than of wood and bones of 
lower animals, were of flint and other hard stones (see anJepage58). 
Some of the knives, tools, implements and weapons of the Stone Age 
used by them were well formed ; but whether the better class of these 
articles were made by these tribes or whether they were obtained from 
the southern tribes by trade or conquest, is not definitely known. But 
few utensils were made, and the ever-ready bark of trees, in various 
kinds and thicknesses, was the principal material employed. Recep- 
tacles for carrying smaller articles were made of skins of animals as 
well as of bark. Occasional pieces of rude pottery were in use, but 
their generally broken condition and the few fragments found here have 
led to the inference that these articles, like their better stone articles, 
were brought from the more sedentary people to the southward. 

Ornaments of stones, shells, bones, birds' claws, etc., were also 
used. These articles, like their weapons, were quite uniform in 
material, form and finish, as found throughout the States, north, south, 
east and west, during later years, which indicates that their manufac- 



THE DOG. AND AMUSEMENTS OF THE ABORIGINES. 71 

tiire was caniid on 1)\ the more nuchanical trihts to the southward, 
and that thr tribes had remarkahlt- wide ranf?e, jierhaps both in trade 
and conquest alternately. Their stone articles were gradually dis- 
carded at the coining of Europeans with metal wea])ons, utensils, 
and ornaments, to trade for furs. 

The\- had no system of writing: but tlure was in occasional use 
somethinj^ of a codt.' of coniniunication li\' means of small sticks, indi- 
cating? number or direction, kit in the probable track of following 
friends; and in imitation of south-western peoples or, later, in imita- 
tion of the l'2uroi)eans. There were also crude efforts in ])ictography 
on pipes, rocks, skins, etc. 

The only dt)mesticated animal they possessed was a shaggy, 
wolfish dog. It was ke]>t in consideralile numbers, was serviceable in 
the hunt, inirticularly of the bear, and was used sometimes by the 
women to assist in drawing on poles their belongings from one camp- 
ing place to another. These dogs were generally close attendants and 
often supplied the family meat by their own bodies, both in times of 
feasting and of scarcity in the hunt. 

Their peaceful hours were mostlx' passed in recovering from the 
fatigues of battle or the chase, or from the ill effects of the feasts. 
Badgerings of one anothi-r were often indulged in, and games in which 
the gambling phase was upjiermost. The game of straws was a favor- 
ite one and was played with great dexterity and vivacity. The straws 
employed were of three lengths, the greatest length being about ten 
inches. The game appeared at times something like that of jack- 
straws, but generally Europeans did not gather an understanding of it. 
A game, designated crosse by the Jesuits, was also frequently played, 
and this is the source of the modern game Lacrosse. A game of 
dish was another common one. It was jilayed with plum seeds, about 
six in number, one side of each being darkened. They were caused to 
bound and turn by striking the bark dish containing them on the 
ground, and the player having uppermost the greatest number of a 
certain color was the winner. The fascination of the gambling feature 
in these games often led to the complete impoverishment of one or more 
players at each game by the loss of his weapons, clothing and trinkets. 

Fastings were compulsory by nature, following their engorgements, 
and at times on account of their improvidence in years of plenty against 
the severe seasons when they could not hunt, or when there was a 
dearth of game and of vegetable products. 

Feastings and dances were common when food was obtainable, to 
celebrate any event or to work off any exuberance of spirit, and glut- 
tony was habitual. Their 'eat-all' or 'leave-nothing' feasts resulted, 
in times of plent\-, in the great gorging and distress of the partakers, 



72 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

tor he who could eat the most was the greatest among them. These 
feasts were great drains on the possessions of their givers. 

The feast of all most generally and widely participated in, was 
called the feast of the dead. The bones of their deceased friends and 
of animals, on account of their enduring nature, were endowed with 
superstitious beliefs of their future rehabilitation, and these supersti- 
tions gave rise to various forms of their deposition, and peculiar rever- 
ence to them and to the place of their deposit. The flesh, on account 
of its ready decay, was an obnoxious substance to be gotten rid of as 
soon as possible. At first the body was enveloped in furs and buried 
in a shallow grave, often in their sitting posture with heels and knees 
close to the body ; or sometimes placed in a tree. On the battle-field, 
or near the enemy, their slain were hurriedly secreted and covered with 
leaves or whatever was most convenient. At irregular intervals feasts 
of the dead were proposed by the older persons, and as many influ- 
enced to participate in them as practicable, even of other tribes when 
good will existed. On these occasions, every eight, ten, twelve or more 
years, the dead, wherever buried, were brought together at the central 
point agreed upon. The flesh still present was stripped from the 
bones- and cast away, and the bones were carried into the family lodge 
or assembled in the largest cabin to await the return of the most distant 
bodies. The bones of as many as one hundred deceased persons were 
thus seen gathered for the final leave taking of the friends ; and some- 
times the emotion there displayed was in great contrast to the indiffer- 
ence manifested at other times in the abandonment of the sick or aged to 
wild beasts or to starvation. The ceremonies at these feasts consisted 
of examination and leave-taking of the bones, the giving of presents, 
athletic contests, dances in which the women often led in song and, 
finally, in the deposition of the bones in one place, either in a pit or on 
the ground, rather promiscuously, and then the covering of them, 
sometimes l)v a mound of earth like the prehistoric mounds described 
on previous pages. These were great occasions in the longer intervals 
of peace when the food supply was plentiful, and many joined in the 
ceremonies with liberal presents to the dead, many of which presents 
were retained by the chief managers and others were distributed by 
throwing them high to be scrambled for by the multitude. Rude drums 
and rattles were sometimes the accompaniments to their dancing and 
chanting. 

The mortality of these savage people from exposure and disease 
was great, particularly among children. The mothers were generally 
prolific, but, having all the heavy work to do and being at a great dis- 
advantage in their nomadic life and from the indifference of the men, 
many accidents and willful mishaps befell them. It was estimated 



THE SORCERERS AND MEDICINE MEN. 



75 



tliat not one cliili! in lliirt\ livid tliroutili cliildhoiul. I-idiii their nor- 
mandiziiiK and other exccsst-s, dist-asc-s werf common amon^ tht- adults. 
There wert' neither nurses nor delicacies for those seriously or lonji 
sick, 'llic onK attention tlie\' n-ceived was Irom the sorcerers, wlio 
were wholly if^norant rtjiardinti diseases and oi the science and art of 
medicine for their curi'. Their followinf^ was wholly from superstition. 
Their efforts lor the cure or advice oi their patrons consisted of the 
crudest jugglery and generally hastened the death of all persons weak- 
ened by disease. These sorcerers were called jjriests, iJro]j|u'ts, 
diviners by dreams Irom something oi hydromancy, necromancy and 
pyromancy; soothsavers, magicians, etc., of primitive tyi)e. They 
were considered more intelligent than the generality of their people 
and were chiefs in most affairs. They invented the legends and 
repeated as much of the traditions as suited their desires. Their 
words were listened to with awe. They were vaguely and variously 
religious: and the\' were made mori' a\ve-ins])iring by the display of 
peculiarly shaped articles of stone and slate, or of unusual lirightness, 
also by hideous attire and trappings, monotonous movements or 




Prehistoric Tubes, fimml aloni; the banks of the Mauniee and Auelaize Rivers near Defiance. 
There are several theories regarding their use. Perhaps they were used by the sorcerers in their 
incantations. The shortest one has been called a tobacco pipe. Like most of the others, it is a nood 
whistle. The hour-Klass form is very rare. It is of hne-crain granite, and the others are of slate. In 
the Author's Collection. 



74 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



dances ' accom]:)anied by intonations of the most unmeaning sem- 
blance of words tliat came to the tongue and which none of the users, 
even, understood. In these and other ways these sorcerers hypnotized 
their auditors to a degree and nourished the superstition in which their 
influence consisted. Witli grotesque accouterments, incantations and 
ceremonial objects they sought or pretended to relieve the sick by 
driving or drawing the pain or malady away, by sucking or blowing 
through tubes, by tappings with crescentic articles of slate ; or by 
efforts to exorcise it w-ith ridiculous tricks, or hideous noises that were 
very prostrating and disastrous to one in low physical condition. Ex- 
tremes of sweatings and then of dashings of or into cold water were 
sometimes employed after seeing the bathings of Englishmen. Also, 
after viewing the medicine chests of the Europeans and witnessing their 
administration of medicines to their sick, the Aborigine sorcerers pre- 
pared and administered comj^ounds without reason or formula, but as 
an addition to their ever varying pretences. Generous payment in 
furs and other articles of trade was expected and received b\- these 
pretenders. 

















^r? 



tipi 







AN ABORIGINE MEDICINE MAN. 
{ From Catlin) 



EXPLORATION OF SAMUEL DE GHAMPLAIN. 



75 



CHAPTER IV. 

Explorers — Cartographers — Ahorioinf.s — The Bkiiish Succession. 

161 f) m 17()t). 



Frenchmen began to ex])lorc ttu- shores of thr Great Lakes larly 
in the seventeenth century. In thi year ll')l."> Saniiul de Chamjilain 
visited the Wyandots (Hurons) at Lake Huron, and passed several 
months among them and in visiting other tribes during that summer 
and the following winter. Hr probably traveled in winter along the 
western and southwestern shores of Lake Erie, and thus obtained a 
better understanding of some of this lake's tributaries and of the 
Aborigines than of the breadth of it, which he represented too narrow 
in his ma]) as i)ublislud in Iti;!!*. While tile lakes of the central part 
of this map, here shown, are out of i)roportion, the readi-r will readily 
recognize what was drawn for the Maumer and its tributaries. 




Central part of Champlain's Map published in 1632. ' Mer Douce' is Lake Huron.* 



*This map and the next eiylu maps of Lake Krie and the Mautnee River, are taken from Winsor's 
Narrative and Critical History of America, volume iv. by permission of Houghton. Mitfln and 
Company, publishers. Boston. 

This map is also eiven in The Documentary History of the State of New York, volume iii. 
Albany. 1850. 



76 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



Pr(il)al)l\- Chamiilain did not exjilorL- all these regions in person, 
but gathered his information largely from the imperfect description 
given by the Aborigines. The very meager and untrustworthy descrip- 
tions given by the Aborigines may account for many of the imperfec- 
tions, including disproportions, of the earl\- maps of this broad forest 
region. The representations of Aborigine lodges, and swamps, and 
the shadings of Champlain's work, are omitted from the outline repro- 
duction of this very interesting map. 




Carte C4nerale des Castes de l' Amirique. by Covens and Moriier, WtATA} The Mer Douce 
at the left is Lake Huron, and southward aie sketched Lake Erie and the Maurnee River. 

Another map without name or date, but probablx- drawn between 
the years 1640 and 1650, shows Lake Erie in better form than does 




.Sanson's Map, l6r»G. 



THE FIRST FRENCH MAPS. 



77 



Ch;im|>lain's map, Imt Laki lliuoii is too widely scparatfd, and dis- 
connecKd. This map like many otlurs of early times, omits portanfs 
or the proximity of headwaters. 

A General Map of the Coasts of America was pulilished in Amster- 
dam, Holland, liy Covims and Moitiei in the \ ear Ki.'T) or liclore. It 
is here reproduced in outline. 

Nicolas Sanson, Royal GeoKrapher of I-'rance from l(i47 to ](>f)7, 
made a maj) i)earinK date HiriH, a ])art of which is here rei>roduced. 

Here du Creux, whose name 
is ofti-n written Creuxius, pro- 
duced a map in 1660 which also 
shows Lake Erie and its trii)u- 
taries. 

Soon after this date if not 
before, the Jesuits sketched a 
mai> in which the Maumee River 
is iirominently shown as the 
only triliutary to the southwest- 
ern ijart of Lake Erie.* 

it ap])ears ])robable that the 
intrepid and illustrious French 
explorer Sieur de la Salk' not 
onl\' i)assed up the Maumee 
Map by Creuxius. iw/i. Central Dart. River and down the Wabash to 

his discovery of the Ohio and 
Mississippi in the fall of 1669, 
but that he returned along these 
rivers during the winter, spring 
or summer of 1670, thence along 
the western shore of Lake Erie, 
and northeastward to the Ot- 
tawa River in Canada, where 
the voyag'eur writer Nicolas Per- 
rot saw- him that summer. + 
The maps of this new couii- 

Tlie Jesuits' Early Map. Central part, 

try produced soon after this 

date show important changes, and evidence the above claims regarding 





* See Francis Parkinan's La Salle and the Great West, page 452. 

tThere has been much of research and speculation by writers re>'ardint: the whereabouts of 
La Salle during the autumn of 1669. and the year or two next following. The reader who desires to 
pursue this svibject is referred to those writings, and to the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quar- 
terly for April, 1903, volume xii. paye 107 ef seQ.. where Charles E. Siocuul has gathered evidence of 
La Salle's travel along the Maumee and Wabash, 



78 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



La Salic. The Ohio Rivtr is in them first traced, but near enough 
to the Maumee for easy portage. This is the case in joliet's smaller 
map of IHTli, and in an anonymous maj) of the Basin of the Great Lakes 

of about the same date. 
Sketches of the central 
parts of these maps are 
here given.* 

The Wabash River 
was traced on Jean Bap- 
tiste Louis Franquelin's 
map in 1682, showing 
its origin in a lake near 
the Maumee, according 
with statement in the 
preserved fragment of 
one of La Salle's lettirs, 
and with the swampy 
condition of the early 
drainage channel of the 
Maumee Glacial Lake 
southwest of Fort 
Wayne, Indiana, which 
swamp remained un- 
drained until the latter 
half of the nineteenth 
century. This map by 
Franquelin, however, 
traced the Wabash into the Illinois River, an error that was corrected 
in his map of 16H4, which map is more in detail and quite accurate 
in many respects. 

The ne.xt year (1685) Minet published his Carte de la Louisiane 
which, though not accurate, shows the Maumee River, the portage 
southwest, the Wabash River springing from a lake, and the route to 
the Mississippi.! Other maps were published during the latter part 




RKNK KOHKKT C.W'l-.LIER, SIKIR DE LA SALLK.t 

Born 25 November, 1648, at Rouen, France. Was assassinated 
19 March, 16ST, in Texas. 



* The legend in Joliet's map was written below the Ohio River at a much later date than the 
making of the map. The figures in the map of the Great Lakes refer to a written list of explanations, 
samples of which are here given, viz: 21, Riviere Ohio ainsy apelike par les Irorjuois a cause de sa 
beaut^ par ou le Sr. de la Salle est descendu. 22, Les Illinois [Aborigines], 2,S, Baye des Kentayentoga 
[Water-way of the Kentucky Aborigines], 24. Les Chaouenons, 25, Cette riviere baigne un fort beau 
pays ou Ton trouve des pommes, des grenades, des raisins et d'autres fruits sauvages. Le Pays est 
decouvert pour la plus part, y ayant seulement des bois d'espace en espace. Les Iroquois ont d^truit 
la plus grande partie des habitans dont on voit encore quelques restes. Narrative and Critical History 
of America. Houghton, Mifflin, and Company, Boston, 1884, volume iv, page 216. 

t From Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History, volume v, copyright. 1901, by Harper 
& Brothers. 

t Narrative and Critical History of America, volume iv, page 237, 



THE LATER FRENCH MAPS. 



79 



of the SL'Vi-ntfintl) riimii\ ;uul larly i)art of the- eighteenth, showing 
more or less of these leatures, iiarticularly the majis by Kaffeix in 1688, 

, , bv Henneiiin in 1()!I7, and bv La 

w^.^ — VTv r-^,. -^. n„„t;„i in ITo;; and ITD'.I. 

Previous to this time the 
British had no special carto- 
graphers in America. The 2wth 
November, 17 0, Richard 
Coote Karl of Bellomont, Gov- 
ernor of Niw York, in his re- 
port to the Lords of Track' in 
London, stated that 

The French have mightily impos'd 




Uasin of tin 
the Map. 



C.I eat Lakes, Ui" 



iitial pan ut 



on the world in the mapps they have 
made of this continent, and our Geogra- 
phers have been led into grosse mis- 
takes by the French mapps. to our very 
great prejudice. It were as good a 
work as your Lordships could do, to 
send over a very skillful surveyor to 
make correct maps of all these planta- 
tions and that out of hand, that we may 
not be cozen'd on to the end ol the 
chapter by the French. 

This suggestion was favor- 
ably actt-'d upon after further 
evidence from Doc' Cadwalla- 
der Colden Surveyor General 
of New York who, in a Memoir 





Franquelin"s Map of Hj.*<3 



Juliet's smaller map, 1672. Central part. The le- 
eiid uiitler the Ohio River is of later date. 

on the Fur Trade of 10th No- 
vember, 1724, wrote that the 
French have been indetatigable 
in making discoveries and car- 
rying on their commerce with 
Nations of whom the English 
know nothing, but what they 
see in the French Maps and 
Books.* 



The Coureurs de Bois. 

These early maps prove conclusively that Frenchmen passed \\\i 
and down the Maumee River in the seventeenth centur\- of whose 



* See London Docuinenis XIII and XXIII, New York Colonial Documents volume iv. paye 796, 
and volume v, page 737. 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 




I-i anqueliii's Map of lfiH4. Central parl.t 



i(iurni'>inys no other record than thest.' maps has been preserved. Prob- 

: ably the swarms of French cour- 

'■ ' — ■■ eurs de bois. bush or forest rang- 

ers* were the first to pass along 
the lake shores and the larger 
ri\ers, in every direction, with 
brandy and small stocks of 
trinkets to trade with the Abo- 
rigines for their more valuable 
furs, even long before the rec- 
ords of the missionaries began. 
On account of the prohibit- 
ing of trade to all others than a 
licensed company or two, and of the many other monarchical require- 
ments of State and the restrictions of the Church, many of the early 
French immigrants preferred life in the forests with the Aborigines, unre- 
strained by any of the proprieties of civilization. Reversion to barliar- 
ism, to turn traitor to civilization, is far easier to many persons than to 
keep step with the rigid, virtuous demands of advancing civilization. 
The character of many of these early immigrants had lieen bad 
in their native land, of many of the coureurs de bois and soldiers par- 
ticularly, prison doors having been opened to people these forests; 
and the open forest ways to libertinism, with the Aborigines who 
knew no morals, were very attractive. These people at once advanced 
to popularity with the savages who soon became addicted to their 
brandy and granted them every privilege. Their communication with 
the Aliorigine women of every tribe and band was without restaint; 
and thus the French blood was early and freely mixed in the succeed- 
ing generations. They became defiant and the Government, and the 
Church, could neither control nor restrain them.4- 



'* More commonly called in New England and New York bushlopers and swampiers and, by the 
Hollanders, bos loopers- In the year 1700. it was lamented by some British officials that they had no 
such representatives in the forests. London Doc. XIII. N. Y. Col. Docs. vol. iv, page 650. 

t This map, and the preceding eight maps showing Lake Erie and the Maumee River, were taken 
from the Narrative and Critical History of America, vol. iv, published by Houghton. Mifflin, and 
Company. Boston. 

V M. Talon, in his Memoir to King Louis XIV, under date of 10th November, 1670, writes regard- 
ing the coureurs de bois as follows: The edict enacted relative to marriages has been enregistered, 
and, proclaiming the intention of the King. I caused orders to be issued that the volunteers (whom on 
my return, I found in very great numbers, living in reality like banditi ) should be excluded from the 
I.\boriginel trade and hunting; they are excluded by the law also from the honors of the Church, and 
from the Communities [Communautes] if they do not marry fifteen days after the arrival of the ships 
from France Iwith women for this purpose!. I shall consider some other expedient to stop these vaga- 
bonds; they ruin, partially, the Christianity of the Aborigines and the commerce of the French who 
labor in their settlements to extend the Colony. It were well did his Majesty order me, by lettre de 
Cachet, to ti\ them in some place where they would participate in the labors of the Comwunaute. Paris 
Document I. N. Y. Col. Does. vol. ix. page 65. 



COUREURS DE BOIS: BRITISH-FRENCH WARS. 81 

Tluir numhirs increased and, as the strictures of the authorities 
became more rigidly enforced in the French market, they carried their 
accumulations of peltries to the ICn^lish markets which caused new and 
great alarm to the l-'nnch companies and Government. Efforts to 
restrain them from this i)ractice led to somethin}< of an or^janization 
amonj; tlum, and to sjjc^cial rendezvous. It was also soon learned l)y 
thv authorities that a hrotlur-in-law of ttu'ir leader l-)u Lhut was near 
the Governor, and an officer in his guards. "^ Force proved a damage 
to the Government and the palliative method was adopted. Amnesty 
was afterwartls ^rantid them and, as the iiopulation increased and tlie 
companies' trade extended in all directions further into the forests, 
they were emjiloyed as guides and voyageurs to and through the wilds 
before visited by them. They had previously penetrated every region, 
near and remote: had dwelt among the Miami Aborigines, the Illinois, 
the Sioux, and even the .Assiniboinst (in the present Canadian 
province of Assinilioia) some having been absent one year, others 
two, tliree, and more years on their private explorations.! 

The British, being now largely deprived of the trade of the coureurs 
de bois, deemed it the more necessary to urge their own traders with 
the .'\liorigines to extend their range; and they employed the Five 
Nations also. The result of this aggressive action contributed a local 
coloring" to the British-French wars that continued to be frequently 
waged, with North America, constantly increasing in imitortance, as 
the prize to the victor. 

The British-Fkkn'ch Wars i-ro.m 1613 to 1747. 

The British have always been an aggressive people, in new coun- 
tries particularly: and the French have not alwa3-s been behind in 
urging their own claims, and in disputing the claims of others. Wars 
between these nations, and between people of these nationalities in 
America, were frequentlv the rule for many ^ears. France claimed 
the right to central North America from her claim of being the first to 
discover it in tfie voyages of Jolm V'erazzano who sailed from lier port 



* Paris Document II. New York Colonial Documents, volume is, page 131. ^Ibid. page I.'jS. 

5 The general stimulus to individual, and clandestine, fur trade is described by Cadwallader 
Colden in 17-24 as follows: The Barrenness of the Soil and the coldness of the Climate of Canada, 
obliges the greatest number of the Inhabitants to seek their living by travelling among the Aborigines 
or by trading with those that do travel. The Governor and other officers have but a scanty allowance 
from the King. A: could not subsist were it not by the perquisites they have from this Trade. Neither 
could their Priests find any means to satisfy their ambition and Luxury without it. So that all heads 
& hands are employeti to advance it and the men of best parts think it the surest way to advance 
themselves travelling among the Aborigines and learning the Languages even the Bigotry & Enthusiasm 
of some hot heads has not been a little useful in advancing this commerce. N. Y. Col. Docs, volume 
v, page 72V. Compare, also, Volney, 371 ; the Jesuit Relations, volumes 69, 70, etc. 



'/ 



82 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

in the years 1523-24. In this claim they ignored the claim of the 
British from the voyages along the Atlantic coast from the Carolinas 
to Labrador in 1497-98 by John and Sebastian Cabot who sailed from 
Bristol, and whose reports of Newfoundland and its Banks induced 
English, Breton and Norman fishernu-n to ])1\- their vocation there 
long before Verazzano's voyages. There were, consequently, disputes 
between the British and French regarding America from their first 
meeting here. January 2, 1613, the French complained of outrages 
committed by the English on the coast of Canada. At the organiza- 
tion by Richelieu of the Company of New France in 1627, four armed 
vessels convoyed a fleet of eighteen transports laden with 135 cannon, 
soldiers, supjilies and emigrants, to reinforce and fortify Quebec. 
They were captured by an English fleet that was already on the way 
to destroy the French settlement there. The capture of the town was 
delayed until 19th July, 1629: but it was soon restored to the French 
on account of the treaty between these nations 24th April, 1629, 
which was not then known to the commander of the distant fleet. 
Notwithstanding treaties, each nation continued anxious to extend its 
domain in America and continued to infringe on the settlements estab- 
lished bv the other. The French claimed not only Canada, but the 
country of the Iroquois (Five Nations) in New York, and southwest- 
ward to the Gulf of Mexico. The British desired to restrict them to 
the country north of the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes. 
King Louis XIV of France became alarmed at the success of the 
English in acquiring New Netherlands from the Hollanders by con- 
quest and, ui>on the English declining to exchange this territory with 
the French or to restore it to the Dutch, the first formal war to materi- 
ally affect these nationalities in America was declared by France aga^inst 
England January 29, 1666. Chevalier de Courcelles Governor of 
New France (Canada) had invaded New York to punish the Mohawk 
Aborigines, and it was there that he learned from his pickets of the 
reduction of the Dutch province to English rule, whereupon he 
exclaimed 'the King of England does grasp at all America.' It is not 
known that this war had any effect upon the French then wandering 
through the lake region or ujion the natives surrounding them. It spent 
its force in the provinces of the East and at sea. It closed with the 
Treaty of Breda, proclaimed January 1, 166H: but the French persisted 
in claiming the Iroquois and their country, and in their efforts to re- 
duce them to their subjection, which resulted in many retaliations by the 
British. Lord Howard, Governor of Virginia, visited Albany in 1684 
and made a treaty with the Five Nations ( Irocjuois) of New York and 
received from them title to their well sustained (by might) claim to 
the country along Lakes Erie, St. Clair and Huron, and westward to 



QUARRELS BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND FRENCH. 85 

the Illiiioit,: and suhstcimnt treaties confirm<cl this urant, and the 
subjection of these tribes to the British.* 

A further glimpse of the increasing desire to retain the favor of 
the Aboriyfines by kt'(])int; them free from the influence of the rival 
nation, and of the teminr of the ciiief Kn^lish official in America, is 
found in Governor Thomas Dongan's K tier from Albany, New York, 
22nd May, IfiHB, to M. de Denonville, then Govirnor of New France, 
which reads in jiart as follows: 

I have sent for the five nations of the Aborigines that belongs to this Government 
to meet me at this place, to give them in charge, that they should not goe to your side 
of the great lakes, nor disturb your Aborigines and traders, but since my coming here I 
am informed, that our .\borigines are apprehensive of warr. by your putting stores into 
Cataract [Niagara] and ordering some forces, to meet there; I know you are a man of 
judgment, and, that you will not attack the King of England's subjects, being informed, 
that those Aborigines with whom our Aborigines are engaged in warr with are to the 
west, and southwest of the great lakes, [in part in the Maumee River Basin], if so, in 
reason you can have no pretence to them, it is my intention that our Aborigines shall 
not warr, with the farr Aborigines, whither they do or not it does not seem reasonable, 
that you should ingage yourself in the quarel of .aborigines ; we pretend, too, against our 
own Aborigines, whither these territoryes belong to our or the French King, is not to be 
decided here, but, by our masters at home, and your business and mine, is to take mapps 
of the Contry so well as wee can and to send them home for the limits to be adjusted 
there. I am likewise informed that you are intended to build a fort at a place called 
Ohniagero on this side of the lake within my master's territoryes without question. (I 
cannot beleev it) that a person that has your reputation in the world, would follow 
the steps of Monsr Labarr.t and be ill advised by some interested persons in your 
Govern! to make disturbance, between our Masters' subjects in those parts of the world 
for a little pelttree [furs] ; when all those differences may be ended by an amicable corre- 
spondence between us. If there be anything amiss, I doe assure you it shall not be my 
fault, tho' we have suffered much, and doe dayly by your people's tradeing within the 
King of England's territoryes ; I have had two letters from the two fathers [priests] that 
lives amongst our .\borigines, and I find them somewhat disturbed with an apprehension 
of warr. which is groundless, being resolved that it shall not begin here, and I hope 
your prudent conduct will prevent it there, and referr all differences home as I shall 
doe.+ 

The French now (KiHi) niimbend 17,(100 in Canada, 3000 of 
whom could be called upon to bear arms, and they became more watch- 
ful against the British. This year twenty-nine 'Christians' (British 
traders) and five friendly .Vborigines were arrested by the French and 
Ottawas along Lake Huron and 'plundered of all the goods and mer- 
chandizes which they had with them, which according to their compu- 
tation would have purchased there about eight thousand Beavers.' 



* London Document v, Af. Y. Col, Docs., volume iii, pases ,'»4, 417, 443. Plain Facts. Philadelphia, 
1781, pages 22, 2.S. Pownall's Administration of the Colonies. Narrative and Critical History of 
America, i. 304. 

t Le Ffevre de la Barre. the former Governor of New France who persisted in invading the 
Enclish territory and alienating the lro<iuois natives of New York. 

t London Document V. New York Colonial Documents volume iii. page 455. 



84 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The French and Ottavvas about fifteen hundred in number, while tak- 
ing these prisoners towards the east end of Lake Erie, met Captain 
Macgregory with his troop consisting of twenty-nine Christians, six 
Aborigines, and eight prisoners whom, by threatening to kill and putt 
to the sword ettc' they also took i)risoners, and 'all their goods and 
merchandizes were also plundered . . which by computation would 
have purchased to that troop eight or nine thousand Beavers.' . 

One member of this last party captured, was shot b\ the French 
on account of his being of French birth and a British subject. The 
others were taken 'to a fort beyond the lake' ( Ontario) where they 
were obliged to work hard in strengthening the tort. Later they were 
sent to Quebec where they were ' put out to farmers and others for to 
work for their victuals.' They were to be held as fjrisoners until 
Governor Dongan desisted from trading with the far Aborigines and 
from supplying the Senecas with ammunition and giving them assist- 
ance against the French.* 

A treats' of neutrality tor America between France and England 
was entered into November 16, 1686. 

In 1689 the 'merchants and adventurers to and in New York and 
the Colonyes adjacent' petitioned the King for the appointment of 
Colonel Slater to the office of Governor of New York, and for soldiers 
and supplies against the French, alleging that they have already 
taken away a great part of our Bever trade, which is the only profitable 
trade of those jiarts, and if they debauch the five nations of Aborigines 
from us, as the want of a sufficient force to protect them will readily 
tempt them to, the whole Bever trade will be lost, and the province 
of New York not able to subsist, but in a short time will fall into the 
hands of the French. 't 

In this year (1689) another formal war began between Great 
Britain and France and, although originating principally from home 
causes, it materially affected their colonies in America. The French 
emboldened by the success of their former plans, became more aggres- 
sive even to the invasion of British settlements for the purpose of 
retaliating for former real or imagined infringements of trade with 
Aborigines, or for direct injuries sustained by marauding bands of 



* London Doc. V, N. Y. Col. Docs, volume iii, payes 436-37. Governor Dongan reported to the 
Privy Council as follows: I am sending a Scotch Gent, called McGreger (that served formerly in 
France ) along with our people. Hee has orders not to disturb or meddle with the French, and I hope 
they will not meddle with him. These expeditions were undertaken for the purpose of carrying back 
tlie captive Aborigines taken by the Iroquois ' in order to the restoring them to their liberty & bury 
their Halchetts with those of their enemys, by which means a path may bee opened for these far Aborig- 
ines to come with safety to Trade at Albany, and our people t'oe thither without let or disturbance' . . 
Ibid, page 395. Colonel Patrick Magregorie was taken prisoner to Montreal; and was liberated by 
orders from France in 1687 when he returned to New "Vork. 

t London Document V, New York Colonial Documents, volume iii, page 653, 



DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRENCH AND BRITISH. 85 

Ahori^inis supposed to he favorable to the British. Tin- latter became 
so annoyed i)y these incursions as to declare that the French 'must be 
rooted out o( America.' 

The efforts of the .\borisines were the ^Tt:a.t source of the peltry 
supply, and the competition in this trade was but a competition for 
the friendship of the greatest number of them. The fickleness and 
treachery of these savages had much to do in causing the bitterness 
and clashings between the rival European nations. May 80, 1696, 
Governor I'letcher reported to the English Lords of Trade that 
'sculking partys of French and .\borigines disturb the people in their 
husbandry- who live u|ion the h'roiitter but our Aborigines do revenge 
that i>art with better success upon the F'rench.'* 

John Nelson, who had had twenty-six years e.\perience with the 
French in Ann-rica, four and-a-halt vears as a prisoner, in a memorial 
to the same Lords of Trade under date of 24th September, 169f'), stated 
the difference- between the English and French modes of dealing with 
the natives, and the cause of the hitter's greater success as follows: 
The Great and only advantage which the enemy [French] hath in those parts doth 
consist chiefly in the nature of their settlement, which contrary to our F'lantations who 
depend upon the improvemi of lands, &c theirs of Canada has its dependance from 
the Trade of Furrs & I'eltry with the Aborigines, soe that consequently their whole 
study, and contrivances have been to maintaine their interest and reputation with them, 
which has been much augmented by that late foolish, and unhappy expedition from 
New England by Sr William Phips . . . wherein by fatall experience we may lay 
it downe as a maxime. That those who are masters of the .\borigines, will consequently 
prevail in all places where they are neglected as we have too much done : the French are 
so sensible of this, that they leave nothing unimproved in this regard ; as first by season- 
able presents; secondly, by choosing some of the more notable amongst them, to whom 
is given a constant pay as a Lieutenant or Ensigne. &<:, thirdly by rewards upon all execu- 
tions, either upon us or our .\borigines, giving a certaine sume pr head, for as many 
Scalps as shall be brought them fourthly by encouraging the youth of the Countrey in 
accompanying the .\borigines in all their expeditions, whereby they not only became 
acquainted with the Woods, Rivers, Passages, but of themselves may equall the 
Natives in supporting all the incident fatigues of such enterprises, which they performe, 
by advancing upon any exploite, the most forward and deserving, unto some office 
amongst the regular troops. ... I have known one of this nature which did create 
such an emulation, that if the Earl of Frontenac had not restrained their forwardness 
for fear of leaving the Country naked, the whole body of their Youth would have per- 
petually been out in parties, &c. F'ifthly, but the great and most effectual means they 
have taken for the confirming their .\borigines, and for the subverting or corrupting of 
ours, is that for some years ever since the war. they have from time to time transported 
into France some of the most eminent and enterprising Aborigines (not only of their 
own, but of ours whom they have happened to take their prisoners) for no other intent 
than to amaze and dazzle them with the greatness & splendour of the French Court 
and .\rmie where the King hath so thought it worth his countenancing as to send them 
into Flanders, where the .\rmies have been expressly mustered before them to show 



* London Document X, New York Colonial Documents, volume iv, page 1.50. 



86 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

their greatness, at the same time they are not wanting to insinuate to them our weakness, 
poverty, and incapacity of protecting them, which they readily beUeve, not having any 
other notion or Idea of Our Nation, force and strength then what they see from our poor 
Settlements about them.* 

Thus, in divers ways of seeking the alliance and trade of the 
Aborigines, these two nationalities were kept in an almost constant 
state of war in America which often assumed general and dire propor- 
tions. Colonel Ingoldsby, in his statement to the Commissioners for 
Trade and Plantations IBth July, 1697, wrote: . . 'This War 
ruins the people: the Inhabitants are decreased in number. The 
English and Aborigines were in very good Correspondence: But the 
French outdo us much in caressing them.' . . The French were not 
only active but ingenuous in their aggressiveness and warfare. It was 
even charged against them that they instructed some of their natives in 
the ways of poisoning natives friendly to the English, and tjiey often 
adojjted the modes of warfare of the natives. They insinuated them- 
selves into the favor of the powerful Iroquois to the degree that Gov- 
ernor Earl Bellomont was assured that ' the French have to the full 
as many friends among the Onandaga Nation as we have.' 

The British were also active in cultivating the friendship of the 
Five Nations. Colonel Peter Schuyler, Dellius, and Major Wessells 
made report to Governor Benjamin Fletcher of New York September 
28, 1697, in part as follows: 

Three Sachims and sevH Capts of the Coyougers [Cayuga] Nation come to 
Albany and made ye following proposalls ; ' Brethren, Wee come here to lay before 
you our poverty and that wee are menaced by the French and Twightwicks [Miami] 
Aborigines, both our enemies. Wee beg that you'l please to assist us with powder and 
lead that we may be capasitated to defend ourselves and anoy ye enemy ( They lay down 
two otters and four beavour skins). Brethren, Wee are sorry to have to tell you the loss 
of ou'r brethren the Sinnikes [Senecas] suffer'd in an engagement wth ye Twichtwichts 
[Miami] Aborigines; our young men kill'd severall of the enerayt but upon their retreat 
some of their Cheife Capts were cut off. You know our custome is to condole ye dead 
by wampom, therefore we desire you to give us some for these Beavours' (soe laid down 
ten Beavr skins). The wampum was imediately given them for the said skins, and the 
day following appointed for a conferance upon the first proposition made by them for 
powder & lead iS:cJ. 

About this time another peace was declared from the Treaty of 
Ryswick in 1697. But this peace was not to be operative for long in 
America. The French, being now free to distribute their soldiers, 
extended their lines of forts and posts. Their Post Miami, at the head 
of the Maumee River, built about 1680-86, was re-built or strengthened 



*London Document X, New York Colonial Documents Volume iv, pages 207, 208. 

f These tribes were at war in this Basin at the time of its discovery, and for man.v years there- 
after. 

t London Document X, New York Colonial Documents volume iv, page 294. 



FRENCH FORTS AND BRITISH TRADERS BY THE MAUMEE. 87 

in Iti'.lT l>v Ca])tain iK \ iiictnms, who was 'very expressly forbidden 
to trade in beaver.' * 

The French also courted anew the favor of the Aborigines in this 
western country, and invited them to a council and treaty in Montreal 
in 1701, when they were feasted and confirmed in their friendship. The 
first fort at Detroit, Fort Pontchartrain, was built this year by Antoine 
de la Mothe Cadillac. 

In 1702 Captain de Vincennes again passed through this Basin 
establishing Posts, military or trading, along the Maumee River, and 
along tile Wabash as far southwest as Vincennes. Posts already 
existitl li\ th< Maumee, but they required repairs, were not favorably 
situated, or wen- not sufificient in number. 

British traders had also been among these Aborigines, quietly: 
also messengers from different Governors- of New York inviting them 
to visit Albany and council regarding trade. 

" Queen Anne's War was declared against France Hth March, 170'2, 
from home causes, and was participated in by the American colonists 
with great energy ; nor did the war stop here with the Treaty of 
Utrecht 11th April, 1713, which closed the war at home. The natives 
of the East early entered into a treaty of neutrality w-ith the British, 
but the French induced them to violate it and, rallying in accumulating 
numbers with the French, they perpetrated a long list of savage 
butcheries including children, women, and members of the Society of 
Friends who had been especially friendly to them. 

The British had become more alive to their trade interests in 
regard to the ' far natives ' and had sent deputations among the Miamis 
and other tribes of this Basin with favorable effect. The French had 
claimed these Aborigines as their own for over half a century and now, 
desiring their aid, sent special presents to them in 1704 for this pur- 
pose. They, however, continued to treat and trade with the British 
whereupon M. de Cadillac moved against them with soldiers in 1707 
and intimidated them, apparently, to the French cause. The following 
year, however, found them again in Albany to council with Governor 
Lord Cornbury and to deal with the British traders. This transit and 
traffic became so regular that, in 1712, Captain de Vincennes was 
again sent among the Miamis ' as a messenger of peace or war' 
whereupon they again promised loyalty to the French. They could 
not, however, yet resist the temptations of higher prices paid for 
peltries and lower prices charged for goods offered by the British 
traders who continued to entice them. 

In the year 1712 the Outagamie or Fox Aborigines, aided bv the 
Kickapoos and Mascoutins, attacked the post at Detroit and contin- 

* Paris Document V. New York Colonial Documents Volume ix, page 676. 



88 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

ued the si(.'f(f with vis'or lor some da\'s. The Ottawas, Wvandots, 
Pottawotamis, Menominis, Illinois and Osages, friendly to the French 
rallied to their aid and saved the |)ost. The French charged that this 
attack was institfated by the British, and they sought to retaliate in 
every opportunit\', and with widespread success. 

The proclamation of the close of Queen Anne's War 11th April, 
171 H, stopped the more open hostilities of the French in the northeast 
and enabled them to more quietly gain in other regions for their loss 
of Acadia. Their widespread operations in this way against the 
British are shown in Colonel Caleb Heathcote's letter to Robert 
Hunter Governor of Virginia under date of 8th July, 1715, which 
reads in part as follows : 

It is undoubtedly by the management ot the French that the fire is kindled in Caro- 
lina, & thcy'le not be wanting in their endeavours to spread the flame through the whole 
Coast. the mischief is intended general. . . It is my opinion that it would be 

very proper, with as little loss of time as may be, for your Excellency to desire a meeting 
or congresse at some convenient place, of all or as many of the Governours on this conti- 
nent as can with conveniency come & attend it ; where it may be considered & 
resolved on, what measures to take for extinguishing the fire already begun, & to pre- 
vent its increase ; for as every part of North .\merica is struck at, so all our interests 
are the same, & what number soever is wounded or hurt, the whole ought to reckon 
themselves agrieved, and not carelessly suffer the French to angle us away, province by 
province, till at last all will be gon ; and as it is impossible that we & the French can 
both inhabit this Continent in peace, but that one nation must at last give way to the 
other, so tis very necessary that, without sleeping away cur time, all precautions 
imaginable should be taken to prevent its falling to our lotts to remove.* . 

In the year 1716 Sir Alexander Spotswood Governor of Virginia 
opened a road over the Blue Ridge Mountain to Ohio lands, and in 
this year the route, known and used by the French for fifty years or 
more, up the Maumee River and down the Wabash was more openly 
V published as the most direct and best way to the southwest : but the 

British were yet few in numln-rs who went so far from their eastern 
settlements. 

In September, 1717, the Illinois country was joined to Louisiana. 
The activity of the French was now greatly increased, and several 
times their successes in alienating the natives from the British, even 
those natives immediate!}^ surrounding the British towns was so great 
that the necessity for active retaliation seemed imperative. The 'Rep- 
resentation of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations 
to the King upon the State of His [Britanic] Majesties Colonies & 
Plantations on the Continent of North .\merica' dated September the 



*London Doc. XX, N. Y. Col. Docs. vol. v, page 430. This letter contains the second suggestion 
we tjnd for united action of the British Colonies, Plantations or Provinces. ' A Briefe and Plaine 
Scheani . . by Mr. IWilliam 1 Penn ' . . Jannary8, 1697, for this purpose, is the first suggestion. 

Ibid, iv, am;. 



TRADE COMPETfTION BETWEEN BRITISH AND FRENCH. 89 

8th, 17'21, shows that th<- I'Vincli liad won thi- (liindship of nearly all 
the Aborigines from New Hampshire to the Carolinas, exce])tinK the 
Iroquois of New York, whose allianci- they several times nearly 
secured. The Lords of Tradi- and Plantations realized the dan^t-rs of 
the situation, and a i)araKrai)h in their rejjort reads as follows: 

Thus, by one view of the Map ot North America. Your Majesty will see the 
danger your subjects are in. surrounded by the French, who have robbed them of great 
part of the trade they formerly drove with the natives, have in great measure cut of 
their prospect of further improvements that way. and in case of a rupture, may greatly 
incommode, if not absolutely destroy them by their native .•Vllies. And although the 
British Plantations are naturally fortified by a chain of Mountains that run from the 
back of South Carolina as far as New York, passable but in a few places, yet should we 
not possess those passes in time, this would rather prove destructive than beneficial 
to us.* . 

The full knowledge of their danger begot the means of their sal- 
vation. The increase in number of the British in America was greater 
than that oi the French. They also rallied to tlu' necessity of giving 
more and more attention to the .\borigines in general from the policy 
of both i)rotection and tradi-. In greater numbers and to farther 
distances they followed the French along the water courses. Their 
presents, their increased prices for jieltries and their cheav>er prices for 
the goods exchanged for them were attractions lor the natives that the 
P'ri'nch could not lull\' continue to meet. The British looms had been 
keiU at work on varit)us fabrics ot the brightest colors expressly for 
the American .Vborigines. The I'renc h Companies could not buy their 
goods as cheap as could tin British, and 'the l)ut\- the French Com- 
pany is obliged to jiay to tlu- King . . enabled the Traders of New 
York to sell their Goods in the Aborigine Country at half the i>rice 
people of Canada can, and nap twice the profit they do.'t Strouds 
were sold at .\lban\ , New York, for L'lD that commanded £25 at 
Montreal. In 17'24 British merchants of New York 'allow Traders 
with the .\borigines double the Price for Beaver that the French 
Compan\- allow.' . . The prices had been advanced from three 
shillings until five shillings New York money, or three shillings ster- 
ling, were ]>aid per poimd for skins in New York, while in Montreal 
the price was two livri'S or eighteen pence. + The I'Vench not being 
able to keep the British traders from the natives in Central Western 
Ohio, endeavored to riiiiove the .\borigines to the north and west, but 
were not successful. 

France declared war against Great Britain March 1.', 1744, again 
from European causes, and the British Colonists in .America, now more 



'"London Document XXII. New York Colonial Documents volume v. pace 633. 
t London Doc. XXVU. New York Colonial Documents, vohune v. pace 730. 

t The Chapter on the Maumce River cives tinther ylinipses of tlie increased activity of the British 
throiich this Basin. 



90 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASf^. 

conscious of their strength, readily entered into the contest here under 
the name of the War of King George II, and with a greater feeling of 
local justification. In Europe this was known as the War of the 
"'''^tpSB+iiii Succession. This vear the British effected another treaty with 
the Six Nations at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, wherein was confirmed 
their cession in 16H4 of claims to lands along the southern shore of 
Lake Erie and to the southwest. They also effected several other 
treaties about this time, including one with the Ohio Aborigines.'^ 
On account of the increased traffic and trade, the Maumee River 
Basin e.xperienced more of this war than of the others that had been 
waged between these contending nations. In fact Ohio had become 
the center for Aborigine warriors, and the increased peaceful successes 
of the British with these Aborigines was becoming a more serious matter 
with the French; and wherever traders of the former were reported, 
parties or troops of the latter were dispatched for their arrest or dis- 
lodgment. At the beginning of King George II's War, M. de Longueuil 
commandant at Detroit, passed up the Maumee River with his body 
guard and a company of Ottawas on their way to capture British 
traders by the White River, Indiana. Many of those western tribes 
were yet friendly to the French and, in the summer of 174('), eight or 
ten of the tribes were represented by warriors at Montreal ready to 
enter upon any savage work to which the French could direct them. 

The Conspir.\cy of Nicholas Against The French. 

A number of the western tribes of Aborigines, however, were not 
active with the French, and other tribes were divided. The Miamis of 
the Maumee were not largely represented at Montreal at this time. The 
Irotjuois of New York were again divided, and the British by the 
friendh' members sent war-belts of wampum to the Hurons ( Wyandots) 
and the war-chief Nicholas with his band accepted the overture. From 
the Paris Documents IX and X which are the French records of occur- 
rences during the years 1747-4H, the following statements relating to 
the widespread influence of Nicholas in this Basin and its vicinity 
are extracted, largely in the words there given, viz: 

The Wyandots under Nicholas killed five Frenchmen who were on their return 
from the post at White River [in the present Indiana] and stole their furs; and all the 
natives of the neighborhood, except the Illinois tribes have formed the design to destroy 
all the French of Detroit on one of the holidays of Pentecost, and afterwards go to the 
fort and subject all to fire and sword. Some Hurons having struck too soon, the plot 
had been discovered by a Huron squaw who came to give M. de Longueuil, Commandant 
of Detroit, notice of it. . . . Other Hurons came to assure him that they had no 
share in the misconduct of Nicolas' people . . who have attached to them several 



'■' Narrative and Critical History 0/ America volume i, pages ;100, ;iO,T; also volume v, pages 4S7, 
566, with notes and other references. 



FRENCH REPORT OF THE CONSPIRACY OF NICHOLAS. 91 

families of vagabond Iroquois, Loups, Sauls, etc. . . We are informed that all the 
[western] Nations in general continue to be ill disposed to the French . . that those of 
the Lake, Saiiteurs and Outaouas (Chippewas and Ottawas] are on the eve of attacking 
Detroit ; . . that the fort has lost almost all the cattle ; and fears that the garrison 
will perish, being all at the discretion of the enemy. 

A party of Miamis have come to dance the Calumet at the fort [Detroit] and 
another section have been to visit Nicolas at Sandusky. The ceremony attendant on 
the former has been very expensive ; their reception, the good cheer for the space of 
fifteen days, and the presents which have been made to them with a view both to destroy 
unfavorable impressions amongst them, and to protect the lives of the French who are 
in their village, have cost a great deal. 

Such was the state of affairs at Detroit on the 2.)th August. 1747. The Mon- 

treal convoy arrived safe in Detroit on the 22nd September, escorted by about l.")0 men 
including the merchants and their servants. This relief is the salvation of Detroit, and 
has apparently made an impression on the Nations [tribes of Aborigines]. The Miamis 
[of the Maumee River] and perhaps also the Ouyatanons [of the Wabash] are in dis- 
order. The former allowed themselves to be gained over by the Belts of Nicolas, who 
represented to them that Detroit had been razed by the Lake tribes ; that consequently 
they could no longer defer killing the French who were among them. The Miamis have 
listened to this message. They first seized eight Frenchmen who were in the fort of 
that post [Fort Miami at the head of the Maumee] whom, however, they did not injure ; 
they afterwards seized the property and burnt a portion of the buildings. Two of the 
eight Frenchmen whom the Miamis had allowed to leave uninjured, arrived at Detroit 
on the 7th of October. 1747. . There are a great many peltries at Detroit, which 

cannot be brought down [to Montreal] until next year. . . These nations £the Ottawas. 
("hippewas and Pottawatamis] are only endeavoring to get their supplies out of us. 
and to discover a favorable opportunity to betray us irrecoverably. Mr. de Longueuil 
is consequently, obliged to ask us for a reinforcement of men and provisions, at 
the very opening of spring. . There are not provisions at Detroit for any length 

of time. . . 

M. Longueuil not being able to send any Traders to the Miamis until the Nation 
return lo its duty, sends back to Montreal Ensign Douville, who commanded at that post 
[at the head of the Maumee] and who was at Detroit at the time the natives com- 
mitted the pillage. The Miamis, who had formerly pillaged the fort and seized 
the Frenchmen have sent [fall or winter of 1747] one of their principal chiefs to M. 
de Longueuil to request him to send back some Frenchmen to them, and not to deprive 
them of their indispensable supplies, promising him that order would be restored in a 
short time. That officer yielded to their solicitation, with a view to deprive the enemy 
[British] of the liberty of seizing a post of considerable importance. Ensign Dubuisson 
whom he sent thither [at th^ head of the Maumee] is to form only a small establishment 
there to winter in. He has been supplied with thirty Frenchmen to maintain himself 
there, and is accompanied by thirty others destined for the Ouyatanons trade [down the 
Wabash], with orders to the latter to rejoin Sieur Dubuisson in the spring,' so as to 
return together to Detroit. 

Nicolas. Orotoni and .\nioton, chiefs of the Huron [Wyandot natives] traitors, 
came there [Detroit] to sue for peace, and to surrender the belts [of Wampum] which 
have been the cause of this treason ; they have made speeches to which M. de Longueuil 
has given an answer, but he doubts their sincerity. . The post at Detroit will, it is 

feared, run short of provisions in consequence of the great number of tribes continually 
there, and who are to come from all parts this spring [1748]. A Frenchman has been 
killed at the gate of the fort of the Miamis [at the head of the Maumee] it is supposed 
by some Iroquois. 



92 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Nicolas' conduct is not free from equivocation; the English of Philadelphia visited 
him twice during the winter [1747 48], to trade, and they were well received. The scalp 
belonging to the Frenchman who was killed near Fort Miamis, has been carried thither 
[to Sandusky]. . . The posts of the Miamis and at the River [St. Joseph] are not 
in want of goods. . The messages and proceedings of Nicolas are too suspicious to 

be relied on. . . Presents are sent [from Detroit] by Cold Foot, a Miami chief, who 
appears trustworthy. 

Count de la Galissonniere [Governor of New France] writes to the commandants 
of the posts of the Miamis, Ouyatanons, River St. Joseph, &c., respecting what con- 
cerns them ; and adds, that they ought to keep an exact and circumstantial journal of the 
occasions wherein they are obliged to incur expenses for presents to natives. . . He 
sends these officers a list of the voyageurs who are wintering with the natives, and of 
the Coureurs de bois in order to their being sent back, so that thev not return any 
more to the Upper country. 

Kinousaki had returned, on the 7th of April [1748], from the Miamis [Maumee] 
River, whither he had gone to bring back the Hurons [Wyandots] who had deserted 
from the village of Ostandosket [Sandusky] and reported that Nicolas, with 119 warriors 
of his nation, men, women and baggage, had taken the route to the White River, after 
having burnt the fort and the cabins of the village ; that the Outauas [Ottawas] had 
given him (Kinousaki) a cool reception, and that a portion only of them would consent 
to return to Detroit, the remainder wishing to settle at the lower end of the Miamis 
[Maumee] River, where the Hurons had promised them the English would supply their 
wants. . . The natives in and around Detroit have all sworn fidelity and obedience 
to Chevalier de Longueuil . . who by four Belts, [of Wampun] put moccassins on 
the feet of all the warriors so that they may be ready at a minute's warning. . 

Numerous -war parties were fitted out in Montreal and at the west- 
ern posts, for incursions against the British and their native allies; and 
many scalps, from one to twenty-five or more per war party, were 
brought in and payment for them collected. Further glimpses of the 
horrors of such ignoble warfare that was sometimes repug'nant to the 
savages are excerpted from the reports to superior officers made at the 
time, viz: June 22, 1748. Thirty-four Iroquois of the Saut have been 
outfitted for a war party, and ordered to divide themselves into two or 
three small sections : but having manifested some repugnance, they 
were authoritatively, told that they were to submit to orders and 
obey.' This policy sometimes acted like a two-edged knife : and the 
definition of murderer hinged upon the relationshij) of the party killed, 
for instance: 

June 2r)th. All these natives [the Sauteurs or Chippewas near Detroit] have 
very urgently demanded mercy for the murderers : they were answered, that it was 
mercy to detain them so as to prevent them continuing their bad conduct ; that the people 
of their nation ought to have confidence in their Father's [the French Governor's, 
through the commandant of the fort] benificence. . . July 8th. The Outaoua 
[Ottawa], Huron, and Pouteouatime [Pottawotami] chiefs at Detroit have requested 
some young men to go on a war excursion [against the British], as well to afford proofs 
of their fidelity as to repair past faults, whilst they, the chiefs, would return home to 
promote peace [toward the French], The first portion of their request has been 
approved ; the young men have, consequently, been equipped, but the chiefs have been 
given to understand that they ought not to think of returning before speaking [inflicting 



BRITISH AND FRENCH PURCHASE EACH OTHER'S SCALPS. 95 

injuries] to the five Nations, who were daily expected. The different Michilimackinac 
Nations made similar requests to those of Detroit. Ninety of these natives, fifty domi- 
ciliated natives and twenty-six Canadians have all been equipped under the command of 
Chevalier de Kepentigny, who is accompanied by several military cadets. 
July Kith. Twenty-four Outaouas and I'outeouatamis of Detroit have been likewise 
fitted out for a war excursion. . . Nine Sauteurs of Detroit have been equipped 
to Ro on a war excursion. Sieur Blondeau, a volunteer, commands them. 
.\uKust lOth. Chevalier de Kepentigny, who went out with a party of natives to light' 
arrives from Montreal ; he made an attack near Corlac and took eleven prisoners and 
twenty-five scalps. . . 

If the British infliclLci luss injury than thf\ fxpcrifnci-ci by this 
honiMi- mode of warfari' it was less from their desire than from their 
limited success in enlistint; the savages as their allies. Governor 
GeorjJ^e Clinton in a letter dated Ne\v York '2'ith .\pril, 1747, wrote to 
Colonel William Johnson that 'In the l)ill I am goinjj to pass, the 
council (lid not think proper to init rewards for scalping, or taking poor 
women orchildri'n prisoners, in it; but the assembly has assured me the 
money shall hv paid when it so happens, if the natives insist upon it.' 

On May litlth Colonel Johnson wrote to the Governor that '1 
am quite pestired every day with parties returning with prisoners and 
scalps, and without a penny to pay them with. It comes very hard 
upon mv, and is displeasing to them I can assure you, for they expect 
their pay and di'inand it of me as soon as they return.'* 

Governor Clinton reported to the Duke of Newcastle, with date 
23rd July, 1747,"i' that 

Colonel Johnson who 1 have employ 'd as Chief Manager of the .\borigine War 
and C^olonel over all the natives, by their own approbation, has sent several parties of 
natives into Canada & brought back at several times prisoners & scalps, but they 
being laid aside last year, the natives were discouraged and began to entertain jealousies, 
by which a new expence became necessary to remove these jealousies & to bring them 
back to their former tempers ; but unless some enterprize be undertaken, which may 
keep up their spiritts, we may again loose them. I intend to propose something to our 
Assembly for this purpose that they may give what is necessary for the expence of it, but 
I almost despair of any success with them when money is demanded. 

I must likewise inform your Grace that by this last trip to Albany, I have got two 
native Nations^ to join us, who are numerous & who were formerly allways in the 
French interest. They have actually fallen upon several French trading parties. They 
may be of singular use to distress the French trade & to cut of! all communication 
between the French in Missesipia River & Canada. 

The Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle, in April, 174H, closed King George 
II's War in Great Britain, but settled nothing between the American 
and French Colonies further than to restore to the French possession 
Louisburg and Cape Breton captured by the British in 174"). 



V 



* History of Detroit and Michigan, by Silas Farmer, volume i ; and Michigan Pioneer and 
Historical Collections. 

t London Dociitnent XXVIII. New York Colonial Documents, volume vi, pane 3,t8. 
+ Probably the Wyandots. and the Miamis of the Maumee River Basiu. 



94 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



The Last British-French War in America. 1754 to 1760. 

King George IPs War exhibited ttu- increasing strength of the 
British in America, and their increasing desire to extend the borders of 
their settlements according to former grants and treaties. It had been 
a good training school for the simiile, brawny colonists in the ways of 
war and they had shown themselves equal to the task of coping with 
the best French regular troops. Further, the home government had 
taught the Colonies the lesson of self-reliance. They had been com- 
pelled to sustain themselves and the armies with food, and to protect 
their borders with comparatively little aid. They had been well 
informed regarding the cause of French successes with the Aborigines 
and, following the treaty of peace at .\ix-la-Chapelle, which was but 
another truce, they were relieved of the task of guarding their coast 
towns against French warships and the invasion of French troops. 
The results were soon observed by the French in the extension of 
British settlements and traders with the Aborigines. The Governors 
of Pennsylvania and Virginia also sought to confirm their purchase of 
Ohio lands at Lancaster in 1744, and the treaties with different tribes, 
by inviting the Six Nations, Delawares, Shawnees, Nanticokes (a 
band of Delawares) and the Miamis to a council 19th July, 1748,* 
when the chiefs and warriors assembled (Kequenackqua, father of 
Little Turtle (?) and two other chiefs, Assapausa and Natoecoqucha, 
for the Miamis) fully committed their tribes to the direction and pro- 
tection of these Colonies. To draw the Miamis and their neighboring 
bands away from the French influence, the British traders had built a 
stockade by the Miami River at the mouth of Loramie Creek in the 
present Shelby County, Ohio, and had been succeeding in gradually 
attracting the tribe thither. This station was sometimes called Tawix- 
twi and Twightwees' 'the British name for the Miamis) town, and 
sometimes Pickawillany. 

The French were quick to perceive the developing aggressiveness 
of the British and, smarting from their apparently weakening prestige 
among the natives, redoubled their efforts along the borders for the 
purpose of obstructing the advance of British company land grants, 
traders and settlers. Hostilities of more or less moment continued 
along the old, and the constantly increasing, lines of travel to the 
westward regardless of the treaty. 

The grants of land in 1748 to the British colonists forming the 
Ohio Company and others, made a new route of travel to the Ohio 



* Alfred T. Goodwin wrote that this treaty was held at Lancaster. Pennsylvania. Journal of 
Captain William Trent. Cincinnati, 1871, paces 22, 40, 95. 



FRENCH EFFORTS TO KEEP BRITISH FROM OHIO. 95 

River desirable as the former routes were well guarded by the 
p-rench. Thr Frcnrh had foreseen this and had established forts in 
the vicinitv ol tin- piobaliK routes ; and now they saw the necessity of 
adopting increased jirecautions to prevent the inroads of their enemies, 
tht> British. In 1749 the Marquis de la Gallissonniere, then Governor 
in chief of New France, sent Captain Pierre Joseph de C^loron* to Ohio 
for this purpose. This command of two hundred French and thirty 
Aborininest left Quebec the I.'itli jum-, 1749, arrived at Niagara the 
6th July, and at the junction of tht- Miami River witii the Ohio 28th 
August, where Cdloron buried the sixth, and last, lead plate stamped 
with the notice that France had taken formal possession of the country. 
Tin i)lates bearing the same notification were nailed to trees, and 
every other means taken to proclaim this event. The 13th September 
the expedition arrived at the mouth of Loramie Creek, the site of 
Pickawillany stockade built b\ British traders about the year 1740. 
.-Xt the time of the coming of Celoron there was here a village and fort 
of a Miami chief of the Piankeshaw band called la Demoiselle (the 
Young Lady) on account of his display of dress and ornaments. 
Celoron requested the chief to take his band, which British traders had 
enticed away from the French, back to Fort Miami at the head of the 
Maumee River. This he promised to do later. At this time there was 
in this village of fort\- to fifty Aborigine men, but one English trader 
(others had departed on their approach); but a number of others were 
met on the route from the headcjuarters of the Ohio River to this 
point, whom Ca])tain Celoron ordered out of the Ohio country, and 
he reported their promises to go. 

Captain Celoron burned at Pickawillany the canoes with wiiich 
his command had ascended the Miami River, and marched across the 
divide and along the right bank of the Ri\'-er St. Mary to its mouth at 
the head of the. Maumee. 

He found Fort Miami in very bad condition ; most of the palisades were decayed 
and fallen into ruin. Within, there were eight houses — or, to speak more correctly, 
eight miserable huts, which only the desire of making money could render endurable. 
The French there numbered twenty-two ; all of them, even to the commandant, had the 
fever [probably the ague]. Monsieur Raimond [the commandant] did not approve the 
situation of the fort [see No. .") on the accompanying map], and maintained that it should 
be placed on the bank of the St. Joseph River, distant only a scant league from its pres- 
ent site [see No. li on map]. He wished to show me that spot, but the hindrances of 



* There has been some confusion renardini; t}iis officer's name. In the New York Colonial Docu- 
ments il is niven as Captain Bienville de Celoron. In another writinp it is shown as HIainville the 
name of an ensign present at the taking of Fort Massachusetts; and others give it as Celoron de 
Bienville. The Reverend Father Bonnecamps accompanied this Ohio expedition, and the name is here 
given as recorded by him in The Jesuit Relations, Cleveland edition. 

t London Document XXIX. New York Colonial Documents, volume vi, page 533. 



96 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

our departure prevented me from going thither. All that 1 could do for him was to trace 
the plan of his new fort. The latitude of the old one is 41° 2'.!'.* 

We bought pirogues and provisions and, on the afternoon of the ^Tth [ September. 
1749] we set out en route for Detroit. t 

A nt'W Fort Miami was built b\- Commandant Comte de Raimond 
after the visit of Cajitain Celoron, in 1749 and during the year 1750. 
It was located on the east bank of the River St. Joseph, and the old 
Fort on the right bank of the St. Mary over a mile to the southwest, 
was abandoned. 

The l^ritish were again stimulated to increased activity by Captain 
Celoron's e.vpedition. The Ohio Land Company, formed in Virginia 
in 1748, sent Christopher Gist to Ohio in 1750, and Governor James 
Hamilton of Pennsylvania sent George Croghan, to explore the coun- 
try and to conciliate the .\liorigines unfriendly to the British. Pres- 
ents of rum, paint, blankets, etc., were carried along as necessary ways 
and means to the end desired. Fealt\' was ]iromised, and manifested 
while the agents were present by the Miamis refusing to receive the 
friendly wampum, tobacco and brandy, presented by four Ottawas di- 
rect from the French at Detroit.! Many presents were also sent to 
the Aborigines in Ohio by the 'Governor of Philadelphia' including 
twelve barrels of gunpowder ' &c' with captivating assertions for 
better prices for peltries and cheaper prices for goods, all made prac- 
tical, and tangible, by the convivial effects of the freely flowing rum, 
which was represented as better than the French brandy while far 
cheaper in price. S 

'Valuable presents' from the French followed those from the British 
in the spring of 1750: and these presents were soon followed by French 
threats to destroy the tribes who continued to favor the British. Evi- 
dences of an iinpending final struggle were fast gathering, and Ohio 
was the skirmishing ground. The Aborigines were fickle and waver- 
ing, with the tendency ahvays toward the side that most freely and 
continuously offered the greater inducements in presents of gaudy 
trappings, intoxicants and weajjons: and while the French and British, 
each in turn, acknowledged exhaustion from such apparently necessary 
policy, we also catch glimpses from their records of fatigue, and even 
of disgust, occasionally manifested by the Aborigines at the continu- 



* This computation is but twenty minutes in excess of the author's computation for the site of Gen- 
eral Wayne's fort sliown on the accompanying: map. and illustrates that the early, and ready, means of 
computing latitude was fairly satisfactory. 

t From Father Boun^camp's diary of Captaiti Celoron's expedition throujih Ohio in 1749. The 
Jesuit Relations, volume Ixix, page 1K5 et seq. 

t London Doc. XXIV, N. Y. Col. Docs, volume vii. pages 267 to 271. Colonial Records of Penn- 
sylvania, volume V. Olden Time, volume i. Dinwiddle Papers. For the Journal of Mr. Gist's journey, 
see Pownall's Topographical Description of North America. London. 1776. 

§ Compare London Document XXIX. New York Colonial Documents volutne vi, page 549. 



STRUGGLES FOR THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE ABORIGINES. 97 



ous solicitations, bribery and threats of force 1>\- these European 
invaders of the forests to keep the Aborigines involved in their lonji 
continued contests for supremacy. It was but a phase ol the old story 
of the a(,'>;rcssiveness and persistency of the Antjlo-Saxon peojjle in 
their concpiest of the world. 

The Six Nations of New York, nou much reduced in numt)er and 
efficiency by past wars, still claimed and held the country to the east 
end of Lake P'rie and, notwithstanding' treaties and inirchases, yet 




claimed alon^ its southern border and were vet ver\' desirable allies. 
Their influence and assistance were still claimed by both the French 
and the British. The temper of the situation is shown in the follow- 
ing excerpts from tlie letter of Marquis de la jonquiere. Governor of 
New France, to George Clinton, Governor of New York, under date 
10th August, 1751, viz: 

You. very unadvisedly, and in opposition to your own understanding, call the 
Five Nations subjects of the King, your Master. They are no such thing, and you 
would be very careful not to put forth such a pretension in their presence. You treat 
them with much more circumspection. It must be concluded that your excellency 

has had no authority to object against the post [in New York] I have caused to be 
established. It has been erected with the perfect knowledge of the Iroquois of the Five 



98 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Nations, who alone are competent to complain of it. They did not oppose it ; they con- 
sented to it. 

You are not ignorant, Sir, of the expedition Mr. de Celeron made in the 
year 1740. . . I had the honor to write to you myself on the 7th March, 17.iO, on that 
subject, and to request your Excellency to issue an order forbidding all the subjects of 
New England to go and trade on the territory of the King, my Master. In the same 
letter I had the honor to express to you my just sensibility at all the secret movements 
of the English to induce the Aborigines, who, from all time, have been our closest allies, 
to destroy the p-rench. . . But the result has undeceived me. The English, far 
from confining themselves within the limits of the King of Great Britain's possessions, 
not satisfied with multiplying themselves more and more on Rock River [the Miami], 
with having houses and open stores there, have, more than that, proceeded within sight 
of Detroit, even unto the fort of the Miamis [at the head of the Maumee]. This pro- 
ceeding, following so many unneighborly acts, the evil consequences we but too sensibly 
feel, have placed Mr. de Celoron. the commandant at Detroit, under the necessity of 
ordering these Englishmen Jo be arrested. . . The capture of these four English- 
men ought not to surprise you ; . . as for John Pathin, he entered the fort of the 
Miamis to persuade the .\borigines who remained there, to unite with those who have 
fled to the Beautiful river [the Ohio]. He has been taken in the French fort. Nothing 
more is necessary. . . John Pathin could enjoy the same freedom [as the others], 
but he is so mutinous, and uttered so many threats, that I have been obliged to imprison 
him at Quebec. 

Governor Clinton replied in a long letter that, 'The Gov"" of 
Canada, by his answer of 10th of August, confesses the things com- 
plained of to be true, does not deny them to be infractions of 
the Treaty of Utrecht [in which the French were not to enter the 
country of the British Aborigines], but advances a number of facts 
groundless and false in themselves. . . This seems to be 
treating his Britanick Majesty and the Treaties of Utrecht and 
Aix-la-Chapelle with contempt. . . The French possession of 
Detroit was not till after the peace of Ryswick . . and these 
incroachments were grieviously complained of by the Five Nations 
to the Gov'' of New York.' . . James Hamilton, Governor of 
Pennsylvania, wrote to Governor Clinton 13 September, 1751, that 
The Gov"" of Canada's letter . . is indeed a singular piece of 
argumentation, but though its reasonings are everywhere false, as 
might be easily proved, yet I think it will be to no purpose to confute 
them, since little regard will probably be had to anything that can be 
said on this side of the Water.' 

In the fall of 1750 the British enlarged and strengthened the stock- 
ade at Pickawillany, which was made necessary by the increase of 
population and business. Christopher Gist, at the time of his sojourn 
there, wrote in his Journal (see ante, page 96) February, 1751, that 
this place was daily increasing and was accounted one of the strongest 
Aborigine towns on the continent. The stockade was then being 
strengthened. During the winter of 1750-51, thirty Miamis were killed 
by the French and their St. Lawrence Aborigine allies. In 1751 the 



FRENCH CAPTURE OF PICKAWILLAMY. CANNIBALISM. 99 

F"r<.'ncli caiitunci m ai ilu MauiiKc KivL-r Luke Arowin, Joseph Forti- 
ner, Thomas Borkr and John Patlun, IV'nnsylvania traders with the 
Aborigines whom thi\ held as ]>risoiiers. Retaliation was sou^jht, and 
was accomiilished the lollowinff sprinj^ by Fifteen French traders fall- 
ing; victims of the Miamis. 

Marquis de la Jon(]uieri> Governor of New France ordered Captain 
Celoron, now commandant of Detroit, to attack and reduce Picka- 
willan\-; luit he coulcl not or would not obey. The threatened condi- 
tion of I'll iK-li affairs at this time in and contiguous to this Basin are 
lurllii 1 told li\ the rejiort of Conite de Raimond, commandant of Fort 
Miami at tin- head of the Maumee, that 

My people are leaving me for Detroit. Nobody wants to stay liere and have 
his throat cut. All the tribes who go to the English at Pickawillany come back loaded 
with gifts. I am too weak to meet the danger. Instead of twenty men, I need five 
hundred. . . We have made peace with the English, yet they try continually to make 
war on us by means of the .\borigines; they intend to be masters of all this upper 
country. The tribes here are leaguing together to kill all the French, that they may 
have nobody on their lands but their English brothers. This I am told by Coldfoot, a 
great Miami chief, whom I think an honest man, if there is any such thing among 
Aborigines. . It the English stay in this country we are lost. We must attack and 

drive them out.* 

War belts of wampum were sent from tribe to tribe until St. Ange 
commandant at V'incennes became alarmed. In tlie winter and spring 
of 1752 small-po.\ disaliled many soldiers at Fort Detroit and Baron de 
Lon^ueuil, acting; Governor, wrote that 'it is to be wished that it 
would si>read amouij our rebels; it would be fully as good as an 
army.t . • We are menaced with a general outbreak, and even 
Toronto is in danger. . . Before long tlie English on the Miami 
will gain over all the surrounding tribes, get possession of Fort 
Chartres, and cut our communications with Louisiana.' 

A force of about two hundred and fifty Chippewas and Ottawas 
was gathered at tlie north and, led by Charles Langlade, were 
reinforced at Detroit by M. St. Orr (St. Our?) with a few French 
regulars and Canadians, and all passed rapidly across Lake Erie, up 
the Maumee and St. Mary, and across the portage to Pickawillany 
where they attacked the town and fort early in the morning of ■21st 
June, 1752. Most of the .Vborigines were distant, and after a sharp 
battle the town and fort were surrendered to the assailants. One 
Englishinan was wounded, then stabbed and jiartly eaten. Five 



* Francis Parkman's Montcalm and Wolfe, Boston, 1898, volume i, page 82. 

Commandant Raimond was, soon after this report, succeeded at Fort Miami by M. de Villiers ^ 
See Paris Document X, N. Y. Col. Docs. vol. x, page 246. 

t The Miamis were afflicted with small-pox in the winter of 1751-52. but the writer has no definite 
evidence of it having: been intentionally propagated among them. Chief Coldfoot and his son, and 
other chiefs, died at this time of this disease. 



100 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Englishmen were taken prisoners, and two, Thomas Burney and 
Andrew McBryer, escaped to tell the particulars. Fourteen Miamis 
were shot, including la Demoiselle (called by the British traders Old 
Britain and Piankcshaw King) whom they boiled and ate. 'Seventy 
years of missionaries had not weaned them from cannibalism.'* 

Possibly the French soldiers stopped at Fort Miami, as one report 
mentions but two Frenchmen in the attack. But the French were 
responsible for it: and this may well be called the first prominent overt 
act in the last British-French war in America which was destined to 
result in the complete overthrow of the French. It awed the Miamis. 
They fled from the region and soon went again to the French, 
attracted by the spectacular display and presents of M. de Longueuil 
in the fall, not regarding treaties, including the recent one at Logs- 
town a tew miles below the present Pittsburg, and the visit and 
l-iresents of Captain William Trent to Pickawillany one month after 
the attack of that place under French direction. Virginia, in effort to 
win back the Miamis, sent presents to their chiefs: and appropriations 
were made bv the Legislature for their benefit. In May, 1753, the 
Legislature of Pennsylvania voted the sum of two hundred y^ounds 
as a present of condolence to the Twightwee [Miami] nation, on the 
melancholy occasion mentioned in the governor's message of the 16th 
of October last' it being their loss of lives at Pickawillany. The 
assemblv also voted six hundred pounds for distribution among the 
Wyandots, Senecas, Shawnees, and other western tribes. These 
Aborigines were apprised of the appropriations and, upon invitation, 
were represented the following autumn in council at Winchester and 
at Carlisle, where they treacherously professed great love and affec- 
tion' for the British. Their fealty to the French was determined, 
however, before the presents were delivered, and fortunately so on 
account of the designed presents consisting largely of powder and 
lead. 

With the building of the French forts Presque Isle, Le Bceuf 
and Venango in 1752-54 by the water courses and portage from the 
present Erie, Pennsylvania, to the head of the Ohio River, and the 
bloodless surrender of Fort Duquesne 17th April, 1754, the British 
were practically shut out of Ohio, notwithstanding the favorable 
treaties before mentioned. 

The breach was rapidly widening, however, between the British 
and French and the determination of both parties boded ill to the 
weaker when the imiJending general resort to arms should be sounded. 
Already greater secrecy had been enjoined from London, 30th March, 



* Reports of Longueuil and Duquesne; Colonial Records of Pennsylvania, v. 599; Captain 
William Trent to Governor Robert Dinwiddie; and Parknian's Montcalm and Wolfe. 



OHIO DESIRABLE AS A BRITISH COLONY. 101 

]7r)2, to the Governors in Amerira by the Earl ol Holderness Secretary 
of State, in the following communication: 'Whereas it may happen 
that circumstances of a ver\- hiuh and important nature may arise 
which mav nquin- the utmost secrecy, it is the King's pleasure that if 
any such should occur within the district of your Government you 
should forthwith with the utmost diligence and exactitude, transmit an 
account thereof to one of Mis Majesty's Princij^al Secretaries of State 
only. And you are in such case to follow all orders and Directions 
which His Majesty shall think jiroper to direct one of His jirincipal 
Secretaries of State to transmit to you in consequence thereof.' 

The British Colonies had been discordant. The people were poor 
and, generally ha\ing little or no interest in hunting or trading with 
the Aborigines for furs, had given their attention to clearing the land 
and cultivating it for their livelihood ; but something more decisive 
must be done to destro\- the embarrassing aggressiveness of the French 
who were continually inciting or abetting the Aborigines to resent the 
cultivation of the settlers' land. 

I'or the purpose of torniulatmg uniform action tor winning the 
Aborigines against the F"rench, the Lords Commissioners of Trade and 
[Plantations, in London, reijuested the Colonies to send delegates to 
Albanv; New York, in June, IT.'il. Hut little immediate good resulted 
from this meeting, further than it was i-ducative for a union that 
eventually bore full fruit in confederation. Soon after this meeting 
Benjamin Franklin wrote for Thomas Pownall, member of the Colonial 
Congress, a description of the Ohio countrx and its desirabilit\' as 
a colony for Great Britain.* 

Major George Washington's journi\ lair in IT.'iM Irom Governor 
Dinwiddie to the F"rench forts before mentioned to warn the French 
to desist in their aggressions, jiroving of no avail, he was sent in Ma\-, 
1754, with a small force against Fort Duquesne at the head ol the Ohio 
River, which was the French bar closing the Ohio country to the 
British. The moderate success of his effort at Great Meadows late in 
May, has been termed the first contest in the final British-French War 
(often called the French and Aborigine War) in America, regardless 
of the massacre at Pickawillany in 1752. Washington's surrender at 
F"ort Necessity occurred vird July, 17r)4. Then followed a series of 
British defeats from unprejiaredness, the slowness of the Colonies in 
getting properly into action from the dictations of, and the deferring 
to, the home government (Great Britain) and the sending of European 
officers and regular troops untrained, and unable, to cope with the 
French and their Aborigine allies in the wilderness. General Edward 



* Papers of Henjamin Franklin, by Jared Sparks, volume iii. 



102 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Braddock's defeat in 1755 while attempting to break the French lines 
on the upj)er Ohio, is an illustration of the latter. 

This, the first British-French War relating mostly to American 
vy affairs was formallj- declared by Great Britain in May, 1756, about two 
3'ears after continued hostilities. It was but the natural culmination, 
as has been seen in the foregoing, of the increasing population and the 
continued aggressiveness of both nationalities. The result of this war 
was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Colonel Caleb Heathcote in his 
communication to Governor Robert Hunter of New York, 8 July, '1715, 
that 'it is impossible that the British and the French can both inhabit 
[rule] this Continent in peace but that one nation must at last give 
way to the other.' 

At this time as heretofore the chief travel and events in the 
Maumee Basin occurred along the Maumee River, and the reader is 
referred to the chapter on this river in this book tor many details. No 
great battle was fought in this Basin between the distinctively British 
and French troops. The contest here was between the British agents 
and traders among the Aborigines and the French agents who were 
often accompanied by French soldiers and distant Aborigines. Each 
in turn i)ut forth strong efforts to reclaim the unstable Aborigines and 
to more closely ally them to the interest represented. Special induce- 
ments had also been offered by Captain de Celoron for French farmers 
to settle in this western country with Detroit as the more northern 
center, and it was hoped that about two hundred and fifty families from 
the lower settlements along the St. Lawrence would accejit the terms, 
viz: Each family to receive free transportation at the King's expense; 
and every settler to receive as free gift one gun, hoe, axe, plowshare, 
scythe, sickle, two augurs large and small, a sow, six hens, a cock, six 
pounds of powder, twelve pounds of lead, and many other favors. 
Only about twelve families consented to remove.'' 

War parties were again formed by the French among the Aborig- 
ines and sent after British agents and disaffected trilies. .Vborigines 
from this Basin were again frequently at Montreal. They were present 
at the capture of Fort William Henry in 1757, and at many other 
points in the East where their services were wanted bv the French. 

But the time had matured for a change in the home government ' 
and a reversal of the series of British disasters. The great friend of the 
American Colonies, William Pitt 'the Great Commoner' was chosen 
Secretarv of State and his change of leaders in America to those imbued 



* Ordinance of 2nd January, 1751). The more permanent population of Detroit and vicinity in 
1750 is recorded as four hundred and eik'hty-three persons. During the following two years a consider- 
able number of youny men came voluntarily, and Captain Celoron wrote to Montreal for girls to marry 
them. Compare Parkman's Montcalm and Wolfe, page 77. 



TRIUMPH OF BRITISH OVER FRENCH. THE ABORIGINES. 105 

with his vigorous and wcll-difinod policy, brouKht honor and success 
to the British arms. French rule in Canada and around the Great 
Lakes vanished with the cai)itulatlon of Montreal 8th September, 1760; 
and British rule then established, was confirmed at Versailles Idth 
February, I7()H, by the ratification of the Treaty of Paris. The nearly 
one hundred and fifty years of almost constant strugtfle between the 
Colonists of these two nations in America was ended at last, excepting 
in local and more clandestine ways through French influence with the 
Aborigines. 

TiiK British Succession. 

Fort Detroit, to which this Basin had been immediately subject, 
was peaceably surrendered to the British Major Robert Rogers '2\hh 
November, ITfiO, with seventeen British prisoners held by the French. 
Soon thereafter Ensign Holmes with a detachment of British soldiers 
was sent to take possession of Fort Miami at the head of the Maumee 
River, and of the posts further to the southwest; and this fall and 
winter a few Colonists again turned their faces Ohioward. 

Comparative quiet now pervaded this Basin for a period of two 
years. Mischief, however, was again germinating. The savages, from 
their nature and their sanguinary training by the French and British 
through five or six generations, could not for long remain cpiiet or free 
from maraudings and the shedding of blood. With the declaration of 
peace the great promises, the large quantities of jiresents, and the 
free flow of intoxicating beverages, formerly dealt out alternatingly bv 
the contending parties, ceased. The Aborigines were at the close of 
the war sore of foot and weary of body from their continued long 
marchings, and cloyed of spirit from the long continued series of 
skirmishings and subsequent debauchings to which both tlu- French 
and British had urged them. But they soon rallied. Their habitual 
revclings in carnage, like their habitual thirst for intoxicants, could not 
long be inwardly repressed. They were spoiled children under the 
adroit and jiolitic management of the French: and now came the cooler 
headed, less versatile English who from conquest claimed their sub- 
jection as a right, and free from the expense of continued present- 
giving and from a continuous and liberal free flow of rum. 

The .Vborigines had been confirmed by the French in the belief 
that the territory between Lake Erie and the Ohio River, with an 
indefinite stretch eastward and westward, belonged irrevocably to them, 
and that they should resist the encroachments of the British who, dif- 
ferently from the French, would crowd them out and clear the land to 
make farms for themselves. 

As Major Robert Rogers and his two hundred rangers were encamped 
for the night about midway on the southern shore of Lake Erie in 



104 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

November, 1760, while making their wav to receive the caiaitulation 
of Fort Detroit and this western country, a rising power among the 
Aborigines confronted them in the form of a band led by Pontiac, an 
Ottawa chief, who demanded to know why they dared to enter his 
country without permission. Major Rogers tactfully appeased him, 
and Pontiac in turn allayed the belligerence of the Aborigines on the 
route, awaiting a more opportune time to make his demands. The 
British, and the Colonists, ere long saw the necessity of making more 
direct and serious overtures to the savages to quiet their increasing 
restlessness. They were becoming more and more displeased with the 
transfer of the western posts to the British who gave few presents, and 
at irregular intervals. 

The disaffection spread and General Sir Jeffrey Amherst sent Col- 
onel William Johnson tht- experienced Superintendent of the Si.x 
Nations to Detroit. He arrived there September 8, 1761, accom- 
panied by Major Henry Gladwin and three hundred light infantry, and 
according to previous invitation about five hundred representatives of 
the different tribes of Aborigines were there (they never could resist 
such invitation ) to attend a ' council ' and to receive the customary 
presents with which the distinguished Sir William was now bountifully 
supplied. The feastings and the drinkings, were to their full satis- 
faction. 

But hunger and thirst soon re-asserted themselves — and tlie 
liberal giver had departed, taking with him most of the troops. 
Further supplies were not immediately forthcoming : in fact the 
finances of Great Britain, and of the Colonies, were exhausted and the 
already great debts were increasing. Now a reversion to the hunt 
became a necessity : and soon new questions of supply and demand 
harrassed the thoughtless savages who could not understand why there 
should be any fluctuation in market prices. When comiietition was 
strongest between the British and French traders, the former advanced 
the price of furs and lowered the price of articles given in exchange. 
Now when external comjjetition was ended the price of their furs 
was depreciated and the jirice of articles they received was appreci- 
ated. From their unbounded selfishness and their ignorance of busi- 
ness relations they could not understand the increased duties levied cm 
trade for the war debts, and the changed relations making greater 
profits necessary to the dealers whose taxes were increased therefrom. 
And now, also, the question of claims to the land assumed new import- 
ance. The wild game, for meat and peltries, was becoming scarcer 
and the Aborigines felt therefrom more keenly the encroachments of 
British settlements on their hunting grounds. 



THE ABORIGINE-BRITISH WAR. 



105 



ThK CoNSIMRACV ok I'oNTIM- AliAINST THK BkITISH. 

Poiitiac schemed for Ireeinti the Al)ori(iines from all their increasing 
difficulties accordinjj to his desins. He had long i>een an interested 
observer of French operations, and his plans demonstrated his posses- 
sion of a master mind amon^j his pto))!e. His i^lan, first promulgated 
by the French, was nothing less than to confederate all the tribes, east 
and West, ,uul to exterminate the British and their Colonists at least in 
all parts of the country which he desired for his people. They were to 
begin at a certain phase of the moon in May, lliS'6, against all the small 
and feebly garrisoned forts, then devastate the frontiers, and then con- 
centrate against the more populous centers. Had it not been for the 
unstable and perfidious impulses then, as generally, actuating the sav- 
ages, the result would have been generally disastrous to the Colonists. 
Pontiac was born by tht- Maunn-r River at thi- mouth of tin- 

Auglaize (according to 
the statement of the Mi- 
ami chief Richardville ) 
about the year 1712, of 
an Ottawa father and a 
Miami mother. He was 
uiiusualh' dark in com- 
lilexion, of medium 
height, powerful frame, 
and of haughty bearing, 
lit- was further describ- 
ed as subtle, patient in 
planning, cruel in ex- 
ecution, and with much 
more than the ordinary 
mental and me4;hodical 
ability of the Aborigines 
while possessing all of 
their few good qualities 
and most of their many 
bad ones. Previously 
he was but little known 
outside his tribe, the Ot- 
tawas. He aided the 
French against an attack 
of Detroit by Aborigines in 1746, arid aided the Aborigines in the defeat 
of General Braddock in Pennsxlvania in 1755. 




I'U.NriAC. 
Born oil the site of tlie present Ueliance. Ohio, about tlie 
year 1712. Was assassinated at Cahokia, Illinois, in 17651, 



*From Harper's Encyclopaedia 0/ United Slates History, Copyright. 1901, by Harper & Brothers, 



106 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

In his consv)iracy against the British forts, Pontiac sought and 
obtained aid from the French. The authorities in New York did not 
obtain information regarding the great extent and full significance of 
the conspiracy until 16th February, 1764, and then by ship from New 
Orleans, where the French Governor D'Abbadie, who had earlv 
apprisement of it, gave Major Loftus a British officer, "A very bad 
account of the disposition of the Aborigines toward us. . . that 
Pontiac, the famous Chief of the Detroit, had declared his designs to 
commence hostilities, and had made a demand of supplies of ammuni- 
tion from M. de Neyon [commandant at Fort Chartres, on the Missis- 
sippi ninety miles above the mouth of the Ohio River]. . . There 
is reason to judge of Pontiac not only as a Savage, possessed of the 
most refined cunning and treachery natural to the Aborigines, but as a 
person of extra abilities. He keeps two Secretaries, one to write for 
him, and the other to read the letters he receives, & he manages them 
so as to keep each of them ignorant of what is transacted by the 
other."* . . 

The conspiracy had been many months in maturing. Near the 
close of the year 1762 Pontiac sent messengers to the different .\bo- 
rigine tribes. "They visited the country of the Ohio and its tribu- 
taries, passed northward to the region of the upper lakes, and the 
borders of the River Ottawa ; and far southward towards the mouth 
of the Mississippi. Bearing with them the war-belt of wampum, broad 
and long, as the importance of the message demanded, and the toma- 
hawk stained red, in token of war, they went from camp to camp, and 
village to village. Wherever they appeared, the sachems and old men 
assembled to hear the words of the great Pontiac. Then the chief of 
the embassy flung down the tomahawk on the ground, and delivered, 
with vehement gesture, word for word, the speech with which he was 
charged. It was heard everywhere with approval: the belt was 
accepted, the hatchet snatched up, and the assembled chiefs stood 
pledged to take part in the war."t 

This work was carried on with great secrecy to avoid its being 
communicated to the British. But early in March, 1763, Ensign 
Holmes, commandant of Fort Miami at the head of the Maumee, was 
informed by a friendly Miami that the Aborigine warriors in the near 
village had lately received a war-belt with urgent request that thej' 
destroy him and his garrison, and that they were preparing to do so. 



* Letter of General Thomas Gaee to the Earl of Halifax Secretary of Stale, London Document 
XXXVI, N. Y. Col. Docs. vol. vii, 619, 620. Tradition says that Pontiac issued as money, pieces of birch 
bark bearing rude sketches of his totem, the otter: and it further says that he faithfully redeemed them. 
There is no statement regarding his ways and means of redemption, however. This fiction is noticed 
here to illustrate the fabulous Qualities ascribed to the Aborigines by some writers. 

t The Conspiracy of Pontiac. by Francis Parkman, volume ii, page 1H6. 



ABORIGINE PLOT AT FORT MIAMI: AT DETROIT. 101 

This information Ensign Holmes communicated to his superior, 
Major Gladwin at Detroit. This was followed by another letter from 

him reading in part as follows: 

Fort Miamis, March liOth, 17(>:i. 
Sir ; Since my last Letter to You, wherein 1 Acquainted you of the Bloody Belt 
being in this Village, I have made all the search 1 could about it. and have found it out 
to be True; Whereupon I Assembled all the Chiefs of this Nation [the Miamis] & after 
a long and troublesome Spell with them, I Obtained the Belt, with a Speech, as you will 
Receive Enclosed; This Affair is very timely Stopt, and I hope the News of a Peac^* 
will put a Stop to any further Troubles with these Aborigines who are the Principal Ones 
of Setting Mischief on Foot. I send you the Belt with this Packet which I hope You 
will Forward to the General [Sir Jeffrey .Amherst]. t 

Major Gladwin was incredulous regarding jireparations of the 
savages for serious hostilities, and so he remained until I'ontiac began 
tht' work of a determined siege of Fort Detroit, notwithstanding a 
general council of the savages held near Detroit 'iTth Ajiril, 17f)3, and 
the advice of friends who could appreciate the different indications of 
gathering mischief. He was aroused to iirejiaration, however, by a 
Chippewa girl who called at tht- fort t5th Mav to deliver to the Major 
moccasins she had made for him, and who hesitatingly told him+ of 
tlu' coming to the Fort the next day of Pontiac with sixty other chiefs, 
ostensibly for a friendly council, but each would carry under his 
blanket a gun filed off to the length of about one yard with which they 
were to shoot the officers at a given signal, and the outside hordes, 
variously estimated at from six hundred to two thousand, would there- 
ujion assail the Fort. The next dav the chiefs appeared as foretold, 
and Major Gladwin received them with the garrison ready for action. 
This disi)la\' of prejiaredness disconcerted thi- visitors and tlu' council 
passed without incident. The chiefs were permitted to de]iart without 
being searched for the shortened guns they carried. Early the next 
morning Pontiac again appeared at the fort with three chiefs and a 
calumet, or sacred I'ipe of jieaceS which was smoked as a sign of their 
love and loyalty; and to further allay the apprehensions of the garrison 
an exciting game of ball was played by the savages during that after- 



* Treaty of Paris 10th February, 176;l, formally closing the war of ttie British succession. 

t Parkman's Conspiracy of Pontiac. volume i, page 1H9. Michigan Pioneer and Historical Col- 
lections. 

t Compare the St. Aubin and Gouin MSS. accounts, quoted in Farkman's volume i. page 218 el 
seq.. with Rogers' Journal ; the Gladwin MSS.; the Pontiac Diary in the Michigan Pioneer and Histor- 
ical Collections, volume viii. Also for a good review of the evidence up to 1867. showing the Chippewa 
girl as a mytli. see the late Colonel Charles Whittlesey's Conspiracy of Pontiac in the Firelands Pioneer 
volume viii, page 9 et setj. 

S The savages claimed that the Calumet should be used only on occasions of peace-making. The 
bowl of this pipe was generally of the ' sacred " pipestone ( Catlinite ), the stem, from two to four feet in 
length in sections, was generally made from a young ash, the pith being worked out with a smoothed 
split of hard wood or, later, a wire. It was abundantly trimmed with quills and feathers from an eagle. 
It was generally kept disjointed and carefully wrapped, as an article of great value. See engraving. 



108 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

noon near the fort. The lollowinj; day Pontiac with his chiefs again 
sought a council within the fort enclosure with their warriors at their heels, 
but entrance was denied them. Then began the murdering of English- 
men living without the enclosure, b\- marauding bands, followed by a 
general firing from a distance of muskets at the fort, whereby five 
memliers of the garrison were wounded. 

Food supplies were becoming short and Major Gladwin, hoping to 
stop the firing and increase his supplv from the near farms, sent 
friendly Frenchmen to enquire of Pontiac why they thus assailed him. 
The reply was that he desired Captain Donald Camjjbell, second in 
command, to visit and talk directly to him. This veteran officer who 
had heretofore possessed a peculiar influence over the Aborigines 
desired to go and do what he could to allay hostilities. .Accompanied 
by Lieutenant George McDougall and some Frenchmen, he went to 
Pontiac's camp, where they were retained as prisoners. Lieutenant 
McDougall afterward escaped to the Fort; but Captain Campbell was 
murdered, with torture, and eaten. 

The siege was continued from day to day, and the food supply 
dwindled with no ho])e of relief but from the arrival of supi)lies that 
had been sent from the East by thi' slow and unci.-rtain small sloop. 
The 80th of Ma\' a sentinel discerned boats coming up the river, and 
soon the weary and hungry garrison was alert and joyous at the sup- 
posed arrival of relief. But this joy was of short duration. It was 
soon to be succeeded by a deeper gloom than had before settled over 
the fort, now apparently doomed to utter defeat. The boats and sup- 
plies were in the hands of thi' .Aborigines who had captured at Point 
Pelee all of the convoy excepting two boats, after killing and capturing 
about sixty of the ninety men in charge. Yet another month was des- 
tined to pass before the suffering garrison at Detroit received any 
relief: and this month brought much of sadness and discouragement 
to the nearly exhausted garrison, and much of exultation to the besieg- 
ing savages and the war-parties sent out by Pontiac. 

May 16th Fort Sandusky was captured and burned by Wyandots ; 
and Ensign Paully with the members of the garrison not killed out- 
right, were taken prisoners to the .\borigine camp near Detroit where 
a worse fate awaited the most of them, Paully escaping. The "iSth of 
May Fort St. Joseph was captured by Pottawotamis. Ten of the 
garrison were killed, and the other three including, the commander 
Ensign Schlosser were taken to Detroit. 

May 27th Ensign Holmes was decoyed from Fort Miami at the 
head of the Maumee by his mistress, a young Miami woman, ostensibly 
to render medical aid to a sick Aborigine nearby, when he was shot to 
death by tw^o Miamis lying in ambush for that purpose. His sergeant 



SAVAGES CAPTURE MIAMI AND OTHER FORTS. 109 

unwisely stoi)i>i(l outside the antv to Ic-arn the cause of tin- firing, and 
was taken iirisomr. The remaininn four or five (the Ghulwin MS. 
reads ei^ht) men comprising tlie garrison, surrendered the fort to the 
savajies at the (K'Hiand oi oni' |ac(|ues Godelrov and other Frenchmen 
from Detroit wlio were in league with Pontiac. Five days later Fort 
Ouiotenon on the Wahash, near the jiresent Lafayette, was cajHured : 
and the next da\ , June 1^, tlie garrison of h'ort Micliillimackinac was 
also deceived and captured by the Chi])pewas who killed over twenty 
and took all others of the garrison ])risoners. June 15th F"ort 
Presiju'ile, at the present Frie, Fennsvlvania, was assailed by about 
two hundred Aborigines from Detroit and its garrison of twenty-siven 
men surrendered the 17th. Within a few days Fort Le Bu;uf and Fort 
Venango, also on the route troni Lake Frie to the head of the Ohio 
River were also in the hands of these widesjjread consjjirators. 

The garrison at Detroit was generally apprised of the loss of these 
forts l)v the return ol war-])arties with scalps, prisoners and plunder 
from the British, and their reception with great ujiroar by the .Aborigine 
women and childi'u generally within sight and hi'aring of the garrison. 
A few of these prisoners were offered at the tort in f-xchange for 
Aborigines there held, and a few captives held by them escaped; but 
bv far the greater number were jiut to death in the most horrible 
manner.* Di'mands troni Pontiac for surrender of I'ort Detroit were 
refused. 

.Anchored in the river at the nearest point to P'ort Detroit were, 
from the first of Pontiac's gathering of the enemy, two armed and 
manned schooners which did good service in aid of the garrison, and 
which successfully resisted all attempts of the savages to burn them 
bv tire rafts and otherwise. \Mien the Fort's sujiplies liegan to get 
low, the smaller schooner was ordered to hasten to Niagara for relief. 
She returned to the west end of Lake Erie near the last of June and, 
starting up the river, met attacks of the besiegers adroitly and bravely. 
She was manned by sixty men, and her cargo was com])osed of ammu- 
nition and provisions. There was also brought by this vessel an 
account of the signing of the Treaty of Paris which was soon communi- 
cated to the French by Major Gladwin ; and forty of their number at 
Detroit under James Sterling volunteered to assist the fort. This 
should have ])ut an end to the hopes, and of the stories to the 
Aborigines detailed by many Frenchmen, that armies of their country- 
men were on their way to drive the British from .Vmerica. 

About the middle of J uly the Wyandots and Pottawotamis deceit- 
fully made peace with Major Gladwin and surrendered their British 



* Compare Loss of the Posts MS. Diary of the Siege. Gladwin MSS. Parkiiian's Conspiracy, 
and Michigan Pioneer and Hiskiricai Collections. 



no THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

prisoners. Still brighter days to be followed by many sad ones, were 
about to dawn on this brav'e garrison of one hundred and twentv-two 
soldiers, eight officers, forty fur traders and a few assistants. July 
29th the long hoped-for relief came in the form of ' twenty-two barges, 
bearing two hundred and eighty men, several small cannon, and a 
fresh supply of provisions and ammunition.' These boats were fired 
upon by the same Ottawas and Pottawatomis who, two weeks before, 
sued for peace at the fort, and fifteen were killed and wounded l:)y their 
guns. 

Captain I^alzell, a former companion of Israel Putnam and more 
recently aide-de-camp to General Amherst, was in charge of these 
reinforcements, and he determined to strike an irremediable blow' at 
Pontiac's forces; and about two o'clock in the morning of July 31st a 
detachment of two hundred and fifty soldiers well-ofScered, including 
Major Robert Rogers, marched against the savages. Some Frenchmen 
within the palisades informed the enemy of this proposed attack, and 
they were ready in ambush at a narrow bridge over Parent Creek, later 
known as Bloody Run. Here, and near, the British force was repulsed 
and with difficulty they returned to the fort with a loss of fifty-nine men 
killed and wounded. The enemy's loss was estimated at but fifteen to 
twenty: and their exultation was unbounded. Runners were sent out 
'for several hundred miles' to spread the news of British defeat; and 
additional Aborigines daily swelled the number of Pontiac's already 
large force. Many days, however, passed with comparatively few shots 
by the savages at the watchful garrison. 

The smaller schooner, named the Gladwin in honor of the brave 
commandant of Fort Detroit, was again dispatched to the east end of 
Lake Erie with requisition for supplies. The night of September 3rd 
she entered the Detroit River on her return, having a crew of ten 
Americans beside Captain Horst and Mate Jacobs; also with six New 
York Iroquois supposed to be friendly to the British. At their request 
the Iroquois were set ashore the next morning: and probably they told 
the hostile savages of the small number in charge of the schooner. 
That night they were compelled to anchor about nine miles below the 
fort, and there they were attacked in the great darkness by about three 
hundred and fifty Aborigines who silently drifted to the schooner with 
the current, undiscovered until they were about to climb on board. 
One cannon was fired by the guard and crew, then a volley from their 
muskets when a hand-to-hand encounter became necessary. The crew . 
was about to be overwhelmed by numbers when Mate Jacobs gave a 
loud command to explode the magazine. Fortunately this command 
was understood by some of the assailants who communicated it to the 
others, whereupon a panic ensued among the Aborigines and all 



BRITISH RALLY. SUGGEST SMALLPOX. TWO ARMIES. Ill 

instantlv tlisapiHared in the wattT, and wltc not ajjain seen around thu 
boat. Tile savants continutd alrrt, Iiowlvit, on shore, their numbers 
makinj; frr(|ucnt chanf^cs and constant watchfulness of the fort a 
pastinif tor them, as also their shooting' whenever a soldier was seen. 

Meantime reports of Pontiac's Conspiracy, the j;eneral u]3risinK of 
the .Vborifiines, the capture of the frontier posts, and the devastation 
of frontier settlements, were as soon as possible conveyed to the 
authorities in New York. Those most active for relief were Sir 
William Johnson .'\Kent and Superintendent of Aborijiine Afiairs, 
Lieutenant Governor Cadwallader Golden of New York, General Sir 
Jeffrey Amherst, and General Thomas Ga^e afterwards his successor; 
between all of whom and the Lords Commissioners for Trade and 
Plantations, with office at Whitehall, London, correspondence became 
more and more frequent and systematic. 

As heretofore stated, the reiiular troops were largely withdrawn 
from .America after the caiiitulation of the P'rench in 17tj(), and the 
frontier posts, even Detroit from which Fort Miami and others drew 
their f^jarrison and supplies, were left with a scarcity that was nothing 
less than criminal on the i)art of the authorities. The home govern- 
ment in London yet desired to dictate the conduct of everything while 
making it obligatory upon the Colonies to pay the expenses. The 
continuous efforts necessary to protect the centers of population, and 
to pay the officers of the government imposed upon the Colonies by 
the King, kept the Colonial treasuries drained. And, in addition, the 
eas\--going British officials, some of whom knew little about the savages 
and often apparently cared less than they knew, were loth to believe 
that serious outbreak was threatened : and it required a long time for 
them to understand that the greatest of all .\borigine wars was being 
relentlessly waged. Some had become wearied by the former continu- 
ous demands of the savages for valuable presents: and now General 
Amherst telt juirticularly annoyed by the reports of their treachery. 
He called them a 'despicable enemy ' and he wrote in July, 17B3, asking 
Colonel Henry Bouquet "if it can not be contrived to send the Small 
Pox among those disaffected tribes of Aborigines? We must on this 
occasion use every stratagem in our i^ower to reduce them. . . You 
will do well to try to inoculate them by means of blankets, as w'ell as 
to tr\- every other method that can serve to extirpate this execrable 
race." 

The depredations had been so severe and oft rejieated in western 
Pennsylvania and Virginia, and farther east, that the necessity for 
strong suppressive measures became imperative. With great efforts two 
armies were organized in the early summer of 1763, with a few regular 
soldiers, colonist volunteers and whilom friendly Aliorigines, to make 



J 12 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

a decisive campaign against the hostiles of Ohio and Detroit. Colonel 
Henry Bouquet of Berne, Switzerland, who had been more than seven 
years in America in command of the 'Royal Americans' composed 
largely of Germans in Pennsylvania, was directed by General Amherst 
to cross the mountains and relieve Fort Pitt which was invested by the 
savages, and which with Fort Niagara and Fort Detroit were the only 
western posts remaining uncaptured by them. Colonel Bouquet's com- 
mand increased on the march, and August H, 1763, when nearing 
Bush\- Run, about twenty-five miles from Fort Pitt now Pittsburg, this 
command was violently and persistently assailed by the savages who 
had been harassing the Fort, and only by well-conceived and well- 
e.xecuted strategy were they saved from destruction more complete than 
that of General Braddock's army eight years before. This Battle of 
Bushy Run has been termed one of the best contested battles ever 
fought between Europeans, Colonists and the Aborigines.* It de- 
pressed the great and increasing confidence of the Aborigines in their 
ability to exterminate the Colonists, and it revived the hopes of the 
latter. It also aided in gaining recruits for advance in the Ohio Coun- 
trv upon recommendation of rewards for savage scalps inasmuch as 
the Colonies refused regular pay to militiamen when outside their dis- 
tinctive limits. 

The other army of six hundred regulars and others under Major 
John Wilkins had been collected from different parts of the Colonies 
with great effort for the purpose of relieving Detroit; but it was 
doomed to disaster. Before getting out of the Niagara River they 
were driven back bv the enemy with loss; and in September their boats 
were wrecked by a storm on Lake Erie about ninety miles from 
Detroit, where three officers and over seventy privates were drowned, 
and their cannon, ammunition and supplies were lost or spoiled; 
whereupon the others returned to Niagara. 

The reports of the organization of these armies had depressing 
effect upon Pontiac as well as upon his followers. They had been 
encouraged by Frenchmen in different places telling them that French 
armies were on their way to America to drive the British out and, 
later, that one of these armies was already ascending the Mississippi 
River. M. de Neyon French Commandant of Fort Chartres had been 
instructed after the French surrender in 1760, to retain that post until 
relieved bv a British garrison. To him Pontiac repeatedly appealed 
for soldiers and munitions of war. Finallv, upon demand of the British 
General Amherst, M. Neyon sent letter Sejitember 27th to the 
Aborigine tribes requesting peace and informing them that no assist- 



*Clarke's Historical Series, volume i ; Parkiuan's Conspiracy oj Pontiac volume ii, etc. 



PONTIAC RETIRES TO THE MAUMEE. THE DELA WARES. 113 

ance could lie expected by thtm from the French. Upon receivini^ this 
notification Pnntiac's duplicity at once asserted itself, and he immedi- 
ately souuhi the forgiveness of Major Gladwin and General Amherst, 
and their lavoi \<\ ti lliny tin- lnrimr that tu- would send reipiests to all 
Alioriuines enuamil in tlie war, to 'luirv tlu' iiatchet.' 

In lizard to the armits foi minj; for the war, the expression to 
'bury the liatclut' was not sufficient for the British in power: but 
Major (iladwin wrote to General Amherst that 

It woiiki be good policy to leave matters open until spring when the Aborigines 
would be so reduced in powder there would be no danger that they would break out 
again, provided some examples are made of our good friends, the French, who set them 
on. . . Xo advantage can be gained by prosecuting the war. owing to the difficulty 
of catching them [the .\borigines]. .'Vdd to this the expense of such war which, if con- 
tinued, the ruins of our entire peltry trade must follow, and the loss of a prodigious con- 
sumption of our merchandize. It will be the means of their retiring, which will reinforce 
other nations on the Mississippi whom they will push against us and make them our 
enemies forever. Consequently it will render it extremely difficult to pass that country, 
and especiallv as the French have promised to supply them with everything they want. 

They [the Aborigines] have lost between eighty and J.inety of their best warriors; 
but if vour Kxcellency still intends to punish them for their barbarities, it may be easier 
done, without any expense to the crown, by permitting a free sale of rum which will destroy 
them more effectually than tire and sword. But on the contrary if you intend to accom- 
modate matters in spring, which I hope you will for the above reasons, it may be neces- 
sary to send up Sir William Johnson.* 

About tlir 1st November, ITH;!, Pontiac with a few tried followers 
reni()\<d tiieir camp Ironi Detroit to th<- Maumee River to nurse their 
disa])iH)inted expectations. Folio wini; their removal corn])arative 
(]iii<t jirevailed for several months. 

This turn in affairs i>r()duced a favorable effect U])on the ever 
waverin.i^ and dreaded Senecas of the Six Nations. Sir William John- 
son took the opportunity of their mollified temper to yet further gain 
thfir friendship l)y offerint; tlum fifty dollars for each principal Dela- 
ware Aborigine chief captured by them, 'in which case they must either 
brinfi them alive, or their whole Heads.' . . They succeeded in sur- 
roundini; anil capturini; alive a cam]) of about forty Delaw'ares, embrac- 
iiit; the dreaded chii'f 'Caiitain Bull.' These captives were taken to 
tin- common jail in New York City where they were kept until a time 
favorable for lluir release. 

The fall and winter of 1763-64 was a time of turmoil in Pennsyl- 
vania, particularlx', with strenuous efforts toward readjustment of com- 
munities and encampmiiits holding antagonistic views regarding vital 
([uestions of conduct when life or death, government and possessions 
temporal and spiritual teachings, were involved. The sufferers and 



■■' Gladwin MSS. oact 67.5. <iuoted in The Northwest under Three Flags, by Ctiarles Moore. 
Harper and Blethers. 1900. Compare with Parkman's Conspiracy 0/ Pontiac. 



114 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

active participants in this mixed series of contests were primarily, the 
Aborigine marauders, murderers and burners of frontier settlements, 
the survivors of those settlements adherents of the Presbyterian church, 
the Friends (Quakers) and, to a less degree, the civil authorities.* 

The military authorities did not remain entirely idle. General 
Amherst was given leave of absence to visit England, but he was suc- 
ceeded in the fall of 1763 by Major-General Thomas Gage next in com- 
mand. Preparations were made to again send two armies against the 
Aborigines of the West the following spring. Sir William Johnson the 
xVgent to the Aborigines, was also active in sending invitations to the 
savages for a general council to be held at Fort Niagara. To this 
invitation there was a favorable response, over two thousand warriors 
gathering at that fort in July, 1764. Here Colonel Johnson did his 
usual good service in receiving and effecting treaties with the different 
tribes individually, he undergoing much fatiguing routine and disagree- 
able work to that end. The more northern army, under command of 
Colonel John Bradstreet, numbering about eleven hundred regulars, 
volunteers and Aborigines, was present at this council to impress the 
various tribes with the power of the British. 

About the 8th of August Colonel Bradstreet's command embarked 
upon Lake Erie against the yet hostile savages in northern Ohio and 
the southwest. He was accompanied by two hundred and fifty Aborig- 
inest many or most of whom soon deserted with the presents that had 
been given them at Niagara. At Fort Presque Isle, site of the pres- 
ent Erie, that was captured and ruined the year before by Pontiac's 
warriors, the Colonel was deceived into a farcical treaty by members of 
the Delaware and Shawnee tribes which had been particularly aggres- 
sive and savage. 

Colonel Bradstreet was also deceived by like Wyandots, Ottawas 
and Miamis at Sandusky. Here he took i)risoner the Frenchman 
Jacques Godefroy who, in May, 1763, was the leader in the murder of 
Ensign Holmes and the capture of Fort Miami at the head of the 
Maumee in the interest of Pontiac. This man expected severe punish- 
ment, if not death, at the hands of Colonel Bradstreet; but just at this 
time Captain Thomas Morris was about to start from the encampment 
as an ambassador of jieace to the Aborigines along the Maumee, 
Wabash and Illinois, and was offered Godefroy as a servant and inter- 
preter bv Colonel Bradstreet who enjoined the culprit to take good 
care of the Captain. Morris accepted the offer, and Godefroy, think- 



* For a comprehensive view of this remarkable contest of readjustment between advancing civiliz- 
ation and savagery, the reader is referred to the publication of divers collections, sermons and docu- 
ments, by the Pennsylvania Historical Society. 

1 London Document XXXVII, New York Colonial Documents, vol. vii, page 657. 



EXPERIENCES OF CAPTAIN MORRIS ALONG MAUMEE. 115 

intj that the Captain thus saved his life, accompanied him to save the 
life of his benefactor, as the si(|uel proved. They passed up the 
Maumee l)\- boats to, probalil\ , ili< site <>t the yiresent Defiance. From 
an Ottawa chief they obtained three horses for the journey to Pontiac's 
camp situate five or six miles from the river, probably on the Defiance 
Moraini- to tin nurlluast. As they neared the camji. Captain Morris, 
Godefroy and another Canadian attendant riding the horses, and their 
escort of .\i)origines car'^ving the Hritish flat; in advance, they were 
nut l)\ Pontiac's guard, Ecveral luuulrctl in number, which surrounded 
tht-m, crowded Intwc en to seiJarate them, beat the horses and made 
other rxhibitions ol disrespect. Pontiac stood at the edge of the 
en< aniiimrnt and also showed signs of disfavor, beside refusing to 
shake hands. "Here, too, stood a man in the uniform of a French 
ofiicer, holding his gun with the butt resting on the ground, and assum- 
ing an air of great iniixirtance ; while two Pawnee slaves stood close 
behind him. He proved to be a French drummer, calling himself St. 
Vincent, one of those renegades of civilization to be found in almost 
every camji of .\borigines. He now took ui)on himself the office of a 
master of ceremonies. He desired Morris to dismount, and he seated 
himself at his side on a bearskin. Godefroy took his place near them; 
and a throng ol savages, circle within circle, stood crowded around. 
Presently came Pontiac and squatted himself after his fashion oppo- 
site Morris. He oi^ened the interview by observing that the English 
were liars, and demanding of the ambassador if he had come to lie to 
th.ni, like the rest."* 

.\ letter directed to Pontiac and ]iurporting to have been received 
by way of New Orleans, was shown. It read as though coming from 
the King of France, and its statements were well contrived to incite the 
savages to continue their hatred of the British. It read, further, that 
'Your French Father is neither dead nor asleep: he is already on his 
way, with sixty great ships, to revenge himself on the English and 
drive them out of .\merica.' On account of the excitement produced 
In this reading, St. \'incent adroitly escorted Captain Morris to his 
own wigwam. 

A council was held next day at which Captain Morris' statement 
of the relations existing between Great Britain and France was received 
with ridicule. The chiefs would have killed him but for the influence 
of Pontiac who told them that the life of an ambassador should be con- 
sidered sacred. 'His [Pontiac's] speech did him honor, and showed 
that he was acquainted with the law of nations.' Pontiac said quietly 



* Fioni Captain Morris' Miscellanies in Prose and Verse copied into Parkinan's Conspiracy of 
Pontiac, volume ii. pane 187. Boston. 1897. Captain Morris' little book was reprinted by The .\rlhur 
Clarke Co. of Cleveland in 1904. 



7/6 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

to Godefroy ' I will lead the nations to war no more. Let them lie at 
peace if they choose; but I will never be a friend to the English. I 
shall be a wanderer in the woods: and, il they come there to seek me, 
I will shoot at them while 1 have an arrow left.' This was uttered 
with assumed despair, and with evidences of desire to be courted. 

A Mohawk chief who accompanied Captain Morris' Company stole 
everything within his power, including the Captain's supply of rum, 
two barrels in quantity, which he sold to the Ottawas; and the next 
day he ran away. The drunken orgies that followed the distribution of 
the rum boded evil to the ambassador. An attack was made on him 
but Godefroy warded off the knife aimed at his heart, and he ran into 
a field of corn where he evaded his pursuers. After comparative cjuiet 
had been restored he returned to the camp where 'Little Chief ex- 
changed with him for gunjaowder, a volume of Shakespeare, 'the spoil 
of some slaughtered officer.' 

With Pontiac's consent, Cai)tain Morris and his comjjany resumed 
their journey up the Maumee. He had much to write about the diffi- 
culties of the journey on account of a low stage of water, and the ])ush- 
ing and drawing of their boat over the stony shallows. On the fifth 
day from Pontiac's camji tlie\' met a savage riding a handsome white 
horse which, they were told, belonged to the ill-fated General Braddock 
and was caught by the Aborigines at the field of his defeat in 1755. 

Two days later they arrived at the head of the Maumee and the 
party started up the left bank of the River St. Joseph to Fort Miami, 
leaving Captain Morris seated in his canoe reading Antony and Cleo- 
patra in the copy of Shakespeare he had obtained in Pontiac's camp. 
His men were met short of the fort bv the savages with bows and 
arrows, hatchets, spears and sticks, to torture or kill 'tlu; Englishman.' 
He not being immediately found in the party, and the chiefs exerting 
their influence for delay, their ire was somewhat abated. He was soon 
found, however, conducted with many indignities to the fort buildings, 
now for over a year without a garrison and tenanted by some French- 
men and Aborigines, where he was forbidden to enter any of the 
Frenchmen's cabins situated within the stockaded area. Two warriors, 
carrving tomahawks in their hands, took him by the arms and led him 
through the shallow St. Joseph River, he at first fearing that they 
intended to drown and scalp him. When nearing the^ great Miami 
village, a little distance from the west shore, they endeavored to take 
off his clothing, but became impatient at the task when he ' in rage 
and desjiair tore off his clothes himself.' Using his own sash, they 
bound his arms behind him and drove him before them into the village 
where he was immediatelv surrounded by hundreds who began violent 
disputes as to what should be done with him. Godefroy, who had 



SUFFERINGS OF CAPTAIN MORRIS AMONG THE Ml AMIS. 117 

acconi|)anii (1 him and i;i\(n words of cheur, inductd a n<i)luw of 
Pontiac to maki- a sixicli in tlu- Cai)tain's favor; and Godefroy told 
tlicm if tluv killfd hini tin l'"n!;lisli would kill tile' Miamis then held 
prisoners at Detroit. Chief Swan of the Miamis then actively took 
the ])art of Ca])tain Morris by untying his arms, and giving him a pipe 
to smoke. Chief White Cat snatched the pipe away, and bound his 
neck to a ])ost. Cajjtain Morris afterward wrote "I had not the 
smallest hoi>e of life, and 1 remembir that I conceived myself as if 
going to plunge into a gulf, vast, immeasurable; and that, in a few 
moments alter, the thought iil torture occasioned a sort of torjjor and 
insensil)ilit\ . 1 looked at Godefroy, and, seeing him exceedingly dis- 
tressed, 1 said what I could to encourage him; but he desired me not 
to speak ' 1 suppose it gave offense to the savages) and therefore was 
silent. Then Pacanne, chief of the Miami nation, and just out of his 
minority, having mounted a horse and crossed the river, rode uj) to me. 
When 1 heard him calling to those aliout me, and felt his hand behind 
my neck, 1 thought he was going to strangle me out of pity: but he 
vmtied me saying, as it was afterwards interpreted to me, ' 1 give that 
man his life. If you want English meat, go to Detroit, or to the lake, 
and you'll find enough. What business have you with this man's Hesh, 
who is come to speak with us?' I fixed my eyes steadfastly on this 
young man, and endeavored by looks to express my gratitude." 
Another pipe was given to Captain Morris, but he was soon thrust out 
of the village with blows. He was permitted to make his way back to 
the fort, receiving a stroke from a whip by a mounted Aborigine on 
the \va\'. Godefroy and St. X'incent who had accompanied him from 
Pontiac's cam]"), did what they could to ward off dangers. A French- 
man at the fort, named I'Esperance, lodged him in his garret, and the 
other Canadians showed kindness; also two young sisters of Chief 
Pacanne, as he understood. But those who had bound him were yet 
watching to kill him; and a large band of Kickapoos, who arrived just 
before- him and built their lodges near the fort, declared the\' would 
kill him if the Miamis did not. 

Captain Morris learned from his Canadian friends that the severe 
treatment he received was due to Delaware and Shawnee messengers 
who arrived before him with fourteen war-belts of wampum to incite 
the Aborigines to renewed hostilities against the British. They told 
the Miamis of the Cajjtain's coming and urged them to put him to 
death; and they had continued their journey southwestw'ard down the 
Wabash and to the Illinois, the route laid out for him by Colonel Brad- 
street. Notwithstanding all this he inclined to continue the journey, 
until convinced by the evidence of those friendly to him and by the 
demonstrations of the Aborigines that to attempt onward movement 



118 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

would surely result in his death. Reluctantly, he decided to return 
and, choosing a favorable hour, he started down the Maumee. Nor was 
this return journey to be free from danger. The remaining savages 
who accompanied him from Sandusky, finding him bereft of all luxuries 
and presents, exhibited great disrespect and forsook him wlun their 
services were needed in (irocuring food and propelling the canoe. 
Captain Morris described their chief as a 'Christian' Huron (Wyandot) 
from the Mission of Lorette near Quebec, and 'the greatest rascal I 
ever knew.' Godefrov remained constant, and with little other help 
they arrived at Detroit 17th September, 1764, suffering on the way 
greatly from want of food and from fatigue. Colonel Bradstreet and 
his command had visited Detroit while Captain Morris was up the 
Maumee, had left a fresh garrison there, and had returned to Sandusky 
to further parley and dally with the deceitful savages having occa- 
sional headquarters there. 

From ' Colonel Bradstreet's thoughts on Aborigine Affairs ' sent to 
General Gage December 4, 1764, the following is extracted : 

Here I must take notice, that from the Governt of PennsyKania all the Shawanese 
and Delawar Aborigines are furnished with rifled barrel Guns of an excellent kind, and 
that the upper Nations are getting into them fast, by which they will be much less de- 
pendent upon us on account of the great saving of powder, this Gun taking much less 
and the shot much more certain than any other gun, and in their carrying on war, by 
far more prejudicial to us than any other sort. 

Of all the Savages upon the continent, the most knowing, the most intriguing, the 
less useful, and the greatest Villians, are those most conversant with the Europeans, and 
deserve most the attention of Govern' by way of correction, and these are the Six 
Nations, Shawanese and Delawares ; they are well acquainted with the defenseless state 
of the Inhabitants who live on the Frontiers, and they think they will ever have it in 
their power to distress and plunder them, and never cease raising the jealousy of the 
Upper Nations against us by propagating amongst them such stories as make them be- 
lieve the English have nothing so much at heart as the extirpation of all Savages. The 
apparent design of the Six Nations is to keep us at war with all Savages but themselves, 
that they may be employed as mediators between us and them at a continuation of 
expence, too often and too heavily felt, the sweets of which they will never forget nor 
lose sight of if they can possibly avoid it. That [the design] of the Shawanese and 
Delawares is to live on killing, captivating [capturing] and plundering the people 
inhabiting the Frontiers ; long experience having shown them they grow richer, and live 
better thereby than by hunting wild Beasts.* 

The effect of Colontl Bradstreet's dealings with the savages during 
his expedition, was not to curb their maraudings but, rather, to increase 
their self-esteem and to stimulate their marauding propensities. He 
early wrote to Colonel Bouquet, who was advancing from Pennsyl- 
vania with the other army, that his treaties with the hostiles would 
make safe a disbandment of Colonel Bouquet's army of about six 



* London Document XXX\'n. New York Colonial Documents volume vii, page f 



RETURN OF WHITE CAPTIVES TO COLONEL BOUQUET. 119 

liuiuliicl iin n ; but tin hitti-r was constantly seeing the deceitfulness of 
the promises of the sava>?es to Colonel Bradstreet, and pressed forward 
into Ohio with a, to the savages, new style of warfare. He held 
hostages, sent others with letters to Detroit with positive commands y 
that they feared to disobey, and marched to the haunts of the most 
hostile bands of Senecas, Delawares and Shawnees who had refused to 
attend the council at Niagara: declaring to them that his army should 
not leave tlum until tlux had given ample assurances of better be- 
havior in the future; and "giving them twelve days in which to 
deliver into my hands all the prisoners in your possesssion : English- 
men, Frenchmen, women and children, whether adopted into your 
tribes, married, or living among you under any denoinination or pre- 
tense whatsoever. .\ncl you are to furnish these jirisoners with 
clothing, ]>rovisions, and horses to carry them to Fort I'itt. When 
you have fully comiilied with these conditions, you shall then know on 
what terms \ou ma\- obtain tlie jieace you sue for." As hostages for 
their compliance with this demand, he held the principal chiefs of each 
tribe. His ambassadors proceeded to Sandusky with his demands, now 
more strict since his should-be coadutor. Colonel Bradstreet, had 
started homeward leaving the impression among the savages that the\- 
had triumphed over him and could continue their savagery. 

A detachment of Colonel Bouquet's command also passed to the 
Shawnee tow'ns on the Scioto River ( which savages had been particu- 
larly active and atrocious) and to and along the right bank of the River 
St. Mary to Fort Miami at the head of the Maumee.* Soon thereafter, 
bands of Aborigines began to arrive at Colonel Bouquet's encamp- 
ment which he had taken the precautions to fortify, bringing with them 
the captives of the white settlers to the number of thirty-two men and 
fifty-eigh-t women and children from Virginia, and forty-nine men and 
sixty-seven women and children from Pennsylvania, which thev had 
accumulated during their many raids. There were many with Bou- 
quet's command who had been thus bereft, soldiers and women, and 
the emotional scenes witnessed at the meeting of the captives with 
their relatives has been described with much of sentiment and pathos 
by different writers, t some of whom have enlarged upon the profes- 
sional wailings of the Aborigine women at the loss of their captives, 
fictitiously comparing their demonstrations to the grief of civilized 



* See map by Thomas Hutctiins, assistant engineer. Reproduced for Parkman's Conspiracy of 
Pontiac, volume ii. 

t See Parkman's Conspiracy of Pontiac. vo]ume ii; Harper's Monthly Magazine, volume xxiii. 
October. IHtil, payes .577-593; and Pennsylvania Historical Collections. Colonel tiou<met"s Papers were 
deposited in the British Museum Library with the Haldimand Papers. Many of both of these Papers 
have been copied for the Dominion (or Parliament) Library at Ottawa, Canada. Parts of them may also 
be found in the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections. 



/ 



120 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

people. Some ot the younger women, who had been longest captives 
and were married to the Aborigines, escaped from the military lines 
and returned to their forest homes in preference to going back to their 
kinsfolk. This is in evidence of the fact that reversion to liarbarism is 
strong in the lives of many persons in every civilized community; 
otherwise civilizing influences would make greater progress. The 
y^borigines were also made to understand that they must soon visit Sir 
William Johnson, agent of their affairs, and give him assurances of 
their future good behavior, as he. Colonel Bouquet, would not treat 
with them, informing them that his duty was to conquer them by force 
of arms. The 18th November, 171)4, Colonel Bouquet's command, 
and his rescued captives, started on their return to their Pennsylvania 
and Virginia homes, by way of Fort Pitt. 

December 26, 1764, Sir William Johnson wrote to the Lords of 
Trade regarding the two military expeditions in ]iart as follows:* 
"The result of this Expedition [by Colonel John Bradstreet] is, that 
after loosing near one half of the great floats [in a storm on Lake Erie 
on his return] the Troops are returned in a most shattered scituation, 
many have perished in the Woods, and above forty are now dailv fed 
l^y the Senecas, 'till they liecome alile to march, neither are all my 
Officers or Aborigines vet come in, haveing been turned a drift without 
any provision on Lake Erie, together with several hundred of the 
troops. . . . On the other hand Coll. Bouquet under all the disad- 
vantages of a tedious & hazardous land march, with an Army little 
more than half that of the other has penetrated into the heart of the 
Country of the Delawares & Shawanese, olitained aliove 200 English 
Captives from amongst them, with 14 hostages for their coming here, 
and entering into a peace before me in due form, &'^^ & I daily expect 
their chiefs for that purpose." 

The 24th May, 1765, Sir William further reported his treaty of 
peace with nine hundred Aborigines of different tribes, including those 
obligated by Colonel Bouquet. He also reported renewed hostilities 
of the Miamis, the}' having captured a soldier who strayed a short dis- 
tance from the garrison at Detroit, and maltreated some French per- 
sons sent along the Maumee In' tlu' commandant to secure his release. 
The Miamis, and the tribes to the westward, were yet imbued with 
Pontiac's ideas of resisting the British, which ideas were nourished in 
the continued report by Frenchmen in the southwest and along the 
Maumee, that French armies would soon come to their assistance. 
Several French Familys of the worst sort live at y*^ Miamis ' . . . 
wrote Sir William in his report. This influence was still objecting to the 
occupation of the Maumee, Wabash and Illinois countries by the British. 



* London Document XXXVII, New York Colonial Documents, volume vii, paye 6HG. 



AMBASSADOR CROGHAN ALONG WABASH AND MAUMEE. 121 

To pacify this opi>osilion Sir William Johnson sent Colonel Gcorfft- 
Cro^han amonjj these western tril)es in the spring of 17(1"). This 
sagacious ambassador left Fort Pitt May IHth and, visiting the lodges 
by the Scioto River, induced the Shawnees there to diliver to him the 
French traders in tin ii midst seven in number who had been inlhienc- 
ing them against tlie British. 'I'lure were seven other such traders 
among the Delawares, all of whom were taken or sent to Vincennes to 
prevent their trading with and further influencing the Ohio Aborigines. 
Colonel Croglian and his escort of fourteeen men were fired upon June 
8th near the inouth ol the Wabash River by Kickajjoo and ' Mus(|uat- 
tamie ' warriors. Three were killed and several were wounded, includ- 
ing the Colonel. They were taken prisoners to Post Vinci-nt where 
there was a French village ol eiglit\ liouses, and a Piankishaw village. 
Here Colonel Croghan met several Aborigines whom he had befriended 
in former years and whose influence on his captors was favorable to 
him. They were taken up tin- Wabash to Ouiotenon where other 
Aborigine friends ot the ])ast were met ' who were extremel\- civil to me 
& my ]iarty.'* . . -. 

At Ouiotenon a Frenchman arri\ed 'with a Pipe and Speech' from 
the Illinois through tin Kickapoos and ' Musquattamies ' to have Col- 
onel Croghan put to death by fire: but his ])resents and personal ad- 
dress prevailed and after several confennccs with all of these tribes he 
was fortunate cnoui;]), not onl\' to influence them to save his own life, 
but "to reconcile thi'Si- Nations to his Majesties Interest & obtain their 
Consent and Ai)i)roliation to take Possession of any Posts in their 
country which the h^nnch formerly possessed, & an offer of their 
service should any Nation oppose our taking possession of it, all of 
which the\ conlirnied by four large Pipes. . . On Jul\- IHth The 
Chiefs ot the 'fwightwees [Miamis] came to me [Colonel Croghan at 
Ouicneiion] Irom the Miamis [Maumee River] and renewed their 
Antient Friendshi]) with His Majesty & all His Subjects in America & 
confirmed it with a Pipe.'' 

On the l.Sth July, 170"), this industrious and successful deputv 
agent of Aborigine affairs started tor the Illinois country, accompanied 
by the chiefs of all the tribes with whom he had been treating. Tlii-v 
soon met the renowned Pontiac witli the deputies of the Six Nations of 
Iroquois, and Delawares and Shawnees who had accompanied the 
Colonel down the Ohio River on this mission, and from whom he had 
been separated. They returned to Ouiotenon where were delivered in 
general council the speeches sent from the 'four nations' or tril)es of 
the Illinois countrx'. Pontiac and the others accorded with the former 
agreement of the other chiefs, and all was confirmed by pi])e-smoking 

'■" London Document XXXVIII. New York Colonial Documents, volume vii, page 7Ht). 



722 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

and belts of wampum. Erroneous reports and misconceptions were 
corrected, prisoners held hy them were surrendered and, accompanied 
by many of the chiefs. Colonel Crog'han and party startid u]) the 
Wabash and passed across the Portage to the head of the Maumee 
River. He wrote in his journal that 

Within a mile of the Twightwee [Miami] Village I was met by the chiefs of that 
nation who received us very kindly. The most part of these .aborigines knew me and 
conducted me to their village, where they immediately hoisted an English flag that I had 
formerly given them at Fort Pitt. The next day they held a council after which they 
gave me up the English prisoners they had, then made several speeches in all of which 
they expressed the great pleasure it gave them to see the unhappy differences which em- 
broiled the several nations in a war with their brethren (the English) were now so near a 
happy conclusion, and that peace was established in their country. 

The Twightwee village is situated on both sides of a river called St. Joseph. This 
river where it falls into the Miame [Maumee] River, about a quarter of a mile from this 
place, is one hundred yards wide, on the east side of which stands a stockade fort, some- 
what ruinous. The Aborigine village consists of about forty or fifty cabins, besides nine 
or ten French houses — a runaway colony from Detroit during the late Aborigine [Pontiac] 
war. They were concerned in it, and being afraid of punishment, they came to this post 
where ever since they have spirited up the Aborigines against the English. All the 
French residing here are a lazy, indolent people, fond of breeding mischief, and spiriting 
up the .\borigines against the English, and should by no means be suffered to remain 
here. The country is pleasant, the soil rich and well watered. 

After several conferences with these Aborigines, and their delivering me up all the 
English prisoners they had, on the 2.Tth July [Gth .August ?] we set off for Detroit down the 
Miamee [Maumee] River in canoes, having settled everything with these several Nations 
to the Westward, & was accompanied by several chiefs of those Nations which were going 
to Detroit to meet Colonel Bradstreet agreeable to his invitation to them last winter by 
Mr. Maisonville. As I passed by the Twightwee [Miami] and the Ottawa villages on the 
Miamis [Maumee] River, they delivered me all the English prisoners they had & I found 
as 1 passed by those towns that several of the .\borigines had set off tor Detroit.* 

This river [the St. Mary] is not navigable till you come to the place where the St. 
Joseph joins it and makes a considerably large stream. Nevertheless we found a great 
deal of difficulty in getting our canoes over shoals, as the water at this season was very 
low. The banks of the river are high, and the country overgrown with lofty timber of 
various kinds ; and the land is level and the woods clear. 

About ninety miles from the Miamis of Twightwee [head of the Maumee] we came 
to where the large river [the Auglaize] that heads in a lick, falls [meets, debouches] into 
the Miami [Maumee] river. This they call the forks. The Ottawas claim this country, 
and hunt here where game is very plenty. From hence we preceded to the Ottawa village 
[site of the present Providence, Lucas County]. This nation formerly lived at Detroit, 
but is now settled here on account of the richness of the country, where game is always 
found to be plenty. Here we were obliged to get out of our canoes and drag them 
[occasionally] eighteen miles on account of the the rifts which interrupted navigation. 
At the end of these rifts we came to a village of the Wyandots who received us very kindly, 
and thence we proceeded to the mouth of the river where it falls [debouches ; there are 
neither falls nor rapids] into Lake Erie. From the Miamis [villages near the head of the 
Maumee] to the Lake it is computed one hundred and eighty miles [the distance is nearer 



*London Doc. XXXVIII. New York Colonial Documents, volume vii, pages 779, 781. Annals of the 
West, pages 184-85, and Butlei's History of Kentucky. 



FIRST BRITISH TROOPS AMONG WESTERN ABORIGINES. 123 

one hunclrcd and sixty milos], :inil from ihc (entrance of tfit- river into the Lake to Detroit 
is sixty miles— tfiat is forty-two miles up the l,ake and eighteen miles up the Detroit Kiver 
to the garrison [Fort] of that name. 

On the 17th [August] in the morning we arrived at the Kort, which is a large stock- 
ade inclosing about eighty houses. It stands on the west side of the river on a high hank, 
commands a very pleasant prospect for nine iniles above and nine miles below. The 
country is thickly .settled with French. Their plantations are generally laid out about 
three or four acres in breadth on the river and eighty acres in depth. The soil is good, 
producing plenty of grain. All the people here are generally poor wretches, and consist 
of three or four hundred French families, a lazy, idle people, depending chiefly on the 
savages for subsistence. Though the land with little labor produces plenty of grain, they 
-scarcely raise as much as will supply their wants, in imitation of the Aborigines whose 
manners and customs they have entirely adopted and cannot subsist without them. 

Colonel Crofihan and Colonel Camplull commandant of Fort I)e- 
trciit, hrUl leiK'atfd counciLs with tin- .Miorigines there assembled, 
embracing those of the Miamis, Ottowas, Ouiotenons, Piankishaws, 
Pottawotomis, Kickapoos, ' Must]uatomis ' Chippewas, Six Nations, 
Deiavvares, Shawnees and Wvandots. And thus was cleared the way 
lot the coiiiiilete British occuiiation of the Maumee, Wabash and 
Illinois counties. Cf)lonel CroL;han so reported to Fort Pitt and a 
company ol the \'2\-n\ Kriiinu iit ol 1 1 iijhianders under Captain Thomas 
Stirling' proceeded thence down the Ohio River to, and 10th October, 

1765, received welcome possession of. Fort Chartres from romm.tndant 
St. Ange. These were the first British troops to entn tlu Illinois 
countrw Major Arthur Loftus early in 1764. with four hundred regulars, 
ascended tin Mississip])i from New Orleans about four hundred miles 
when si.\ ol his nun were killed and si.\ wounded li\ .Miorigines in 
ambush, whereupon he returned to Pensacola.* 

Pontiac and otiier chiefs visited Sir William Johnson July '24, 

1766, at Ontario, New York, according to invitation and promise given 
at Detroit the preceding year. Tlu\ were laden with ])resents and re- 
turned to the Maumee ayniarenth- satisfied. 



* Narrative and Critical History of America, volume vi, pace "05. For account of GeorKe 
CroKliaii's journals, see Ibid, page 704; Hildreth's Pioneer Histor)/: New York Colonial Documents,- 
Butler's History of Kentucky, etc. 



J THE- CAL(J'"\Er 
4 



-l] i>ACREO pipe. xop -pEACL. 




I 



() 



124 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



CHAPTER V. 

HiisTii.i riK.s OK British and Aboricines — Revoiaitionary War. 

ITCiCi TO 1783. 

THl' Alioris'ines had become convinced that no more reliance could 
\n: iilaced f)n the French, and that their wants would be best supplied 
by their In-roming, and remaining, friendl\- to the British ; and the 
British, through the Secretary of State the Earl of Halifax, the Lords 
Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, and of Sir William Johnson 
of Johnstown, New York, the able Superintendent of Aborigine affairs 
for the Northern District of America, had broadly planned for the 
control of the Aborigines.* These plans and their firm application 
to the binding of the Aborigines to the dictation of the British, were 
destined to cost the American Colonists man\' hundreds of additional 
lives and an untold amount of suffering and treasure during their many 
\-ears of struggle for independence from the other unjust impositions 
of the mother country. 

Previous to this time the Colonies had lost thirtx- thousand of their 
citizens, and incurred an expense of sixteen million dollars in their 
efforts for protection against the French and their Aborigine allies. Of 
this sum the British parliament had re-imbursed them about one-third. 
A large indebtedness had accumulated, and the rates of taxation had 
liecome very burdensome. The British debt had increased during the 
French wars about one hundred and forty million pounds sterling. 
Parliament attempted to tax the struggling Colonists to help pay the 
home indebtedness. Attempts were also made to restrict the liberty 
of the Colonists in different wa^'S which led to various expressions by 
them of disapproval. John Adams declared that American Indepen- 
dence was born at the time of the action and expressions of James Otis 
against the W^rits of Assistance, in Boston as early as February, 1761. 

Following the Stamp Act Riots in New York, Sir William Johnson 
wrote to the Lords of Trade under date of 31st January 1766, that "The 
Disorders occasioned by our Riotous People here, it is not my business 
to enlarge upon, the Aborigines have heard of it, & desired to know the 
cause. I have given them an answer with the utmost caution, well 
knowing their Dispositions, & that they might incline to Interest them- 
selves in the affair, or fall upon the Inhabitants in revenge for old 



''' The Plan for the Future Management of Aborigine Affairs is yiven in full, in forty-three sections, 
in London Document XXXVII, New York Colonial Documents, volume vii, pages 637 to &i\; also Sir 
William Johnson's recommendations for the modification of the same, on pages 661 to 666. These plans 
were prepared from much experience and consideration. They show but the beginnings and fairer out- 
lines of the methods by which, with ever-increasing savagery, the British obtained, and maintained, 
tlieir wonderful hold upon the savages within American borders until after the War of IS12. 



THE BRITISH DEFRAUD THE ABORIGINES. 



125 



frauds which thtv cannot easily fort^ct." . . It yi-t re<|uirtcl cf)nstant 
attention antl no little diplomacy of Sir William, the Siii)erintendt-nt, tf) 
l<et']> the rt'stless S])irit of the Aborigines constant to the Uritish.'' The 
French sittlers in the Illinois Country a^ain became am^ressive in tradi, 
and in sending l)elts and sentiments inimical to the P)ritish, to tln' dit- 
lelrnt tribes. 

riu' desire for lands also increased amon^ the Colonists. The 
Superintendent wrote to the Earl of Shelburne, Secretary of State, 
I^ondon, wilh dale Kith |)e(emlier, ITlili, lliat 

The thirst alter the lands of the .\borigines, is become almost universal, the people, 
who generally want them are either ignorant of or remote from the consequences of dis- 
obliging the Aborigines, many make a traflic of lands, and few or none will be at any pains 
or expence to get them settled, consequently they cannot be loosers by an Aborigine War, 
and should a Tribe be driven to despair, and abandon their country, they have their de- 
sire tho' at the expence of the lives of such ignorant [innocent] settlers as may be upon 
it. . The majority of those who get lands, being persons of consequence [British] in 

the Capitals who can let them lye dead as a sure Estate hereafter, and are totally ignor- 
ant of the .\borigines, make use of some of the lowest and most selfish of the Country 
Inhabitants to seduce the Aborigines to their houses, where they are kept rioting in 
drunkenness till they have effected their bad purposes. 




.\1KT.-\L TOM.AH.AWKS 

Early trailed to the .Aboriuines for peltry by the French and British. They were lost by the Abori- 
Eines, and many years afterward were found by American farmers. No. 1 was found in Allen county, 
Ohio: 2, 3 and 6 at I'ort Wayne: No. 3 is a hoe, 'squaw-ax' or adz, a useful implement and dan»:erous 
weapon— the sharp pike of its head was coiled backward in later years; No. 3, is tempered copi)er. No. 4, 
found in Williams County, Ohio, has a pipebowl as head, the stem of the pipe passing alonn the handle. 
No. 5 was found in Paulding county, and Nos. 7 and f<. to the south and southwest. Part of the Author's 
collection. 

Fraud was also practiced upon the Aborigines by certain British 
traders. The latter part of 176f5 one of them was convicted l)efore a 
court of incjuiry of .officers at Detroit, to which post this Basin was 



* Sir William Johnson remained considerate to the Colonists to the lime of his <leath which oc 
curred 11th July, 1774 : and he was. also, a lirm friend to the .-aborigines. 



726 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

tributary, of being one-fifth short in his weights of powder and lead. 
And a more serious charge was brought, viz: Yet such is the conduct 
of several English and the greater part of the French, that they are 
endeavoring all in tlu'ir power to make the Aborigines Quarrel ' . . . 
This was in January, 1767; and in this communication to the Lords 
of Trade, a 'Post or Mart' was suggested for the Maumee River, also 
one bv the Wabash, whereas three years before he thought the post at 
Detroit sufficient for this territory. In his report to the Secretary of 
State London in September, 17H7, the Superintendent, Sir William 
Johnson, reported among other matters that 

Sandousky which has not been re-established [since its capture by Pontiacs savages] 
is not a place of much consequence of Trade, it is chiefly a post at which several Penn- 
sylvania Traders embarked for Detroit. St. Joseph's [near Lake Michigan] and the 
Miamis [at the head of the Maumee River] have neither of them been yet re-established, 
the former is of less consequence for Trade than the latter which is a place of some im- 
portance. . . At the Miamis there may be always a sufficiency of provisions from its 
vicinity to Lake Erie, and its easiness of access by the River of that name at the proper 
season, to protect which the Fort there can at a small expence be rendered tenable 
agst any Coup du mains. this would greatly contribute to overcome the present 

excuse which draws the traders to rove at will and thereby exposes us to the utmost 
danger. * . . 

Sir William Johnson again suggested December 3, 17(')7, that re- 
ligious missionaries 'would have happy effects.' The question of sup- 
plying the Aborigines with missionaries had been suggested at different 
times, but no appropriation for this purpose was made further than for 
those formerly sent among the Six Nations to neutralize the influence 
favorable to France exerted by the French Jesuits. 

The question of a boundary line to the Aborigine domain, beyond 
which European settlers for agriculture should not go, had been oc- 
casionally talked about, and from 17Br) was mentioned by the Superin- 
tendent of such affairs as the Ohio River from Kittanning to near its 
mouth for this western region. This was practically in consonance with 
the former influence of the French who desired to shut out the British 
from Ohio ; and this boundary question, although never definitely agreed 
upon by the British in their dealings with the savages, was made much 
of by them later to incite and to keep alive the savage antipathy of the 
Aborigines to the Colonists from the beginning of the Revolutionary 
War even down to the close of the War of 1812. 

Early in 1768 the French to the southwest joined their brethren of 
New Orleans in revolt against the Spanish authority and formed a gov- 
ernment of their own, which endured but a year or two; and this revival 
of the French national spirit at St. Louis and the Illinois country, at- 



■ London Document XL New York Colonial Documents voinme vii. pages 974,975. Over twenty 
volumes of the Sir William Johnson MSS. are in the New York State Library. Albany. 



BRITISH ANXIETY REGARDING THE SAVAGES. 127 

tractfci tlu' l''rcn( h and Ahoiit;infs of this Basin again to the detrimtnt 
of the Britisli. In Imu , 1769, this stir became sufficient to cause alarm, 
ami thi stnnKtlH-ninti of th<.- fortification at |)ctioit. Also the 14th 
August, 1770, Sir William Johnson wrote to tin ICarl of 1 lillshorouuh, 
Secretary of State that 

The Aborigines of Ohio and the southwest are at present in a state of uncertainty 
as to what course they shall take. . . 1 have taken measures to be informed as early 
as possible with the proceedings & issues of the Congress which they are about this time 
to hold at the great plains of Sioto near the Ohio, where some* are endea%'Ouring to 
form Confederacys for very bad purposes, secretly countenanced and supported by 
French Traders, Renegadoes and all those .Aborigines who have not hitherto been 
heartily attached to the English, but with wonderfull art have for a time past endeav- 
oured to shake the fidelity of the Six Nations, thro the means of some of the Seneca 
Towns who are most dissatisfied with our conduct.* 

In liiitlur illustration of the state of affairs on the eve of the Revo- 
lutionary War, and of the ver\' fjreat power the .VboriKine allies of the 
British exerted against the Colonists when fnll\- marshalled for the work, 
the following e.\ceri)ts are made from Sir William lohnson's Ktter to 
the Secretary of State 18th February, 1771, viz: 

The apprehensions which I long since communicated of an Union between the North- 
ern & Southern Aborigines and which your Lordship makes particular mention of in Your 
letter No- 11 is really a matter of the most serious nature, for if a verry small part of 
these people have been capable of reducing us to such straits as we were in a few years 
since, what may we not expect from such a formidable alliance as we are threatened 
with, when at the same time it is well known that we are not at this time more capalile 
of Defence, if so much, as at the former period. This is in some measure the conse- 
quence of their becoming better acquainted with their own strength and united capacity 
to preserve their importance & check our advances into their country. t ■ ■ ■ 

Nothing seriously inimical to British interests, however, was con- 
summated by the Aborigines at their large meeting at Scioto, nor 
resulted froin the proposed alliance hen- mentioned. The frequent 
councils held with Sir William Johnson by the Six Nations during this 
and succeeding years, and the emissaries from these tribes in British 
employ, together with British deputies, kept the western tribes from 
actively warring against the British. .Mexander M'Kee, who in later 
years exerted a cruel influence against Americans in this Basin and 
southward, was a Deputy Superintendent of .\borigine .Vffairs, and 
' Resident on the Ohio' Sth March, 1774. .\t first he was active to 
keep peace between tin .\borigines and the settkrs : but afti r the 
commencement of the Revolutionary \\ ar he was as active in inciting 
the savages against the Americans. June '20, 1774, Sir William John- 
son wrote to the Secretary of State, that 



* London Document XLII. New York Colonial Documents, volnine viii, pai;e 227. 

t The British dreaded the confederation of the savaces acainst ttieni by the French; but, early 
recognizing them as the best of allies for themselves, they used their best endeavors to federate them 
against the Americans, witli much success in later years. 



728 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

For more than ten years past, the most dissolute fellows united with debtors, and 
persons of wandering disposition, have been removing from Pensilvania & Virginia &ca 
into the Aborigine Country, towards & on the Ohio. & a considerable number of settle- 
mts were made as early as 17(i.') \vhen my Deputy [George Croghan] was sent to the 
Illinois from whence he gave me a particular account of the uneasiness occasioned 
amongst the Aborigines. Many of these emigrants are idle fellows that are too lazy to 
cultivate lands. & invited by the plenty of game they found, have employed themselves 
in hunting, in which they interfere much more with the Aborigines than if they pursued 
agriculture alone, and the Aborigine hunters (who are composed of all the Warriors in 
each nation) already begin to feel the scarcity this has occasioned, which greatly in- 
creases their resentment. 

The Earl of Dartmouth, Secretary of State, did not approve of 
this westward migration, and July (ith he wrote to the Sujierintendent 
of Aborigine Affairs as follows : 

I received a few days ago from Lord IJunmore [Governor of Virginia] that some 
persons. Inhabitants of Virginia, have purchased of the Illinois Aborigines a very large 
tract of land extending thirty leagues up the River, and I wish that this Transaction had 
met with such Discouragement from that Government as the nature of it deserved. There 
are many reasons urged by Lord Dunmore in favor of this measure, but they have no 
weight with me. and as 1 shall continue of opinion that such a proceeding cannot fail 
of being attended with the most dangerous and alarming consequences. . 

Loyal British subjects, however, were not to suffer such dire con- 
sequences as was feared by the Secretary. Such suffering was to come 
to pioneer Americans who sought homes in the West, and joined their 
countrymen in the East against unjust impositions of the mother coun- 
try. Early in 1774 the Ohio Aborigines renewed their murderous raids 
upon the \'irginia frontier. The settlers retaliated and, without full op- 
portunity or desire for discrimination, they took the lives of some non- 
combatants. Some friends of the Seneca Chief Logan, of the Mingo 
band, were among this number and he thereupon entered u])on a course 
of revenge with dire effect, particularly ujion the innocent. Governor 
John Murray Earl of Dunmore was urged l)y his people to raise an 
armv to suppress the savages."' Accordingl}-, late in the sumqier, he 
marched against them with an army of about three thousand men, starting 
in three divisions. Two of these soon came together to form the left 
under General Andrew Lewis: and this division was attacked at the 
mouth of the Great Kanawha River 10th October by one thousand to 
twelve hundred savages of the Western Confederacy led by the noted 
Shawnee Chief Cornstalk. In the fierce battle that ensued the Virginians 
lost fifty-two jsrivates and half their commissoned officers killed, and 
one hundred and forty odd were wounded, while the Aborigine loss was 
probabh' about one hundred and thirty in both killed and wounded; but 
one writer at least gives the numlier as a full hundred more. 



"See American Archives IV, vohime i: Brantz Mayer's Logan and Cresap: Magazine of Ameri- 
can History, volume i; and Roosevelt's Tlie Winning of the West, volume i. G. P. Putnam's Sons. 1897. 



THE QUEBEC ACT. REVOLT OF THE COLONISTS. 129 

This division proceeded to the Shawnee towns by the Scioto River, 
according to the orders of Governor Dunmore who was there in com- 
mand 1)1 ihf rifjlit division, and who thin- arranged terms of peace with 
the savages.* These terms, however, were not to lienefit the Americans, 
even of this army for lonjj, as during the march homeward meetings of 
the suliordiiiati officers, and ol thi i)rivates, were held and resolutions 
were passed di'clarinn that lluy woulil no longer submit to IJrilish 
domination. 

Till K Kvoi.nioNAKY War. 

Sir Williani Johnson died lltli juK, 1771; and Ins rliiil (l(])uty, 
and son-in-law. Colonel C"iu\- Johnson, immediately succeeded to the 
British offiri^' of Superintendent of Aborigine Affairs. He immediately 
adoptid measures to assure the ililfinnt tribes of Aborigines that there 
would not be any change in tlu' relation of the British Government 
toward them. But the rapidly changing events, culminating in the out- 
break of tlu' Rix'olutionary War, made it necessary for him to flee from 
his country seat near Johnstown, New York, to Canada in May, 1775, 
where, in Montreal, he yet endeavored to preserve the friendship of the 
savages for the British. He went to London, was confirmid in the 
superintendency, and came to New York City where he co-operated with 
General William Howe. His last effective work in this office was done 
with the Six Nations at Niagara. He was succeeded 23rd March, 1782, 
by Sir John Johnson, son of the late Sir William. Meantime the active 
'work with and by the western .Vborigines was directed by the western 
military posts, Detroit being the jirincipal one. 

Under the French regime, and until after the Revolutionary War 
under the British, the commandant of the military post at Detroit, to i^' 
wliii h this Basin was subject, exercised the functions of both a civil 
and a military officer with absolute power. The 22nd June, 1774, under 
the Ouebec Actt (which was so obnoxious to the Colonists as to be _ 

cited in the Declaration of Independence) a civil government was first 
provided for the territory which centered at or was subject to Fort 
Detroit — including all the Territory Northwest of the Ohio River at 
least. This Act vested the legislative power in the Governor, then Sir 
Guy Carleton who was afterward Lord Dorchester, in the Lieutenant 
Governor, or Commander in Chief, and in a Council of not less than 
seventeen nor more than twenty-three persons to be appointed by the 
King. The criminal law of England was presumed to be the guide : 
but, generally, the law was but the will of the commandant, or of the 



*For a description of these combatants, and of this most severe combat, see The Winning of the 
West by Theodore Roosevelt, volume i Chapter ix, based on the American Archives. 4th series volume i. 
and Whittlesey's Fugitive Essays. 

t For copy of the Quebec .^ct see the American Archives, Fourth Series volume i. page 216. 



130 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

notary or justice ot the peace of his appointing. This was more par- 
ticularly the case as the lines of war became more rigidly established. 
Governor Carleton proclaimed martial law June 9, 1775, and the culti- 
vated savagery of the Aborigines was then systematically and forcefully 
directed against the American frontier settlements, the murdering par- 
ties being generally led by British officers. 

The notorious tory Doctor John Connelly, who had been for about 
three 3'ears in collusion with Earl Dunmore against Pennsylvania and 
against the patriots generally, in July, 1777, endeavored to enlist volun- 
teers among Americans in the western country to operate with the 
savages against loyal Americans. They were to be supplied with mu- 
nitions from Detroit. Congress became apprised of such movements 
and instituted measures to prevent disaffection among the frontier 
people. Connelly was soon captured by the loyal Americans. 

The Americans also desired the help of the Aborigines, or at least 
their neutrality. To obtain this result Congress appointed Judge James 
Wilson of Pennsylvania, General Lewis Morris of New York and Doctor 
Thomas Walker of Virginia, commissioners to treat with them. Arthur 
St. Clair, afterwards first Governor of the Northwest Territory, was their 
secretary : and he enlisted nearly five hundred volunteers to march against 
Detroit if the neutrality of the Aborigines could be secured. This neu- 
tralit\' could not be obtained, and the suggested march, like many other 
projects of these times, was not entered ujion ; nor did the efforts of the 
commissioners to the Aborigines result in much favor to the Americans. 

The office of Lieutenant Governor and Superintendent of Abo- 
rigine Affairs was created by the British for Detroit, the Maumee 
region, Vincennes and Michilimackinac. Captain, afterwards Colonel, 
Henry Hamilton of the 15th Regiment of British troops, was appointed 
to this office for Detroit where he arrived Uth November, 1775; and he 
was deferred to regarding the other posts. He proved tactful, cruel 
and remorseless. It appears that the British had been preparing the 
Aborigines for war against the Americans on the former French plan 
against the British, previous to this date, and that councils had been 
held with different tribes at Detroit for this purpose. War belts of 
wampum were sent to every tribe witli invitations to visit Detroit. 
There councils and feastings were repeatedly held in which rum flowed 
freely with every incitement calculated to inflame the savages against 
the Americans "who were endeavoring to crowd them from their lands, 
and now had rebelled against the good King, their father, who was dis- 
tributing so many presents and kindnesses to his Aborigine children." 

Early in September, 1776, Hamilton wrote to Lord George Ger- 
main " that the Ottawas, Chippewas, Wyandottes and Pottawatomies, 
with the Senecas would fall on the scattered settlers on the Ohio and 



BRITISH SAVAGE WAR-PARTIES AGAINST AMERICANS. 151 



its l)ianchL'S . . . whose arrof(ancf, disloyalty and imprudence has, 
jiistlv drawn u])on tluni this dcplorahk- sort of war." '. . . Gover- 
nor Carleton, who 
was a Kood disci- 
plinarian and 
prompt to o b c y 
tliL- orders of his 
sujierior officer, 
enjoined Hamilton 
()tli October, 177(), 
'to keep the Abor- 
if^Mnes in readiness 
to join mi' in tlie 
Si)rintf, or march 
elsewhere as they 
m a y be most 
wanted.' t War 
])arties of savages 
were thoroughly 
ei|uipi)ed and, 
commanded by 
British officers + 
were sent out from 
Detroit, first to the 
eastward and later 
to the south and 
southwest also, 
wherever they 
could find the most defenseless .\merican settlements in Ohio, Penn- 
sylvania and Kentucky, to murder and plunder. 

Fort Henry, at the site of the present Wheeling, w-as attacked by 
one of these parties which, though finally driven away, inflicted loss of 
life upon the small garrison. Harrodsburg, Kentucky, was assailed 
15th March, 1777, but its lirave and efficient defenders repulsed the 




THK SAVAGli AND HIS VICTIM 
(From Schoolcraft] 



* Secretary Germain had complained of Governor Carleton for hesitating to empioy the savages 
against the Americans toward whom Germain was very vindictive ; and he reproved every 
coiinnander who showed signs of mercy in his conduct of this business. He found in Hamilton a ready 
agent in carrying out his cruel schemes — Harper's Encyclopaedia of United States H/story volume iv. 
page (M. Some writers date Hamilton's communication one year later than the above. 

t Haldiuuind Papers. The Papers relating to the Revolutionary War preserved by General Sir 
Frederick HaUlimand. of most interest to the historian, number one hundred and sixty-four volumes. 
In 1H.57 they were presented to the British Museum Library by his nephew William Haldiman. They 
have been copied largely for the Parliament or Dominion Library at Ottawa, Canada. Other papers of 
great interest to the student of history may also be there found. 

I The term British is applied by the writer to all those persons engaged in the interests of the 
British Government, whether English. Scotch. Irish, French or American born. 



132 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

savages, who met like successtul opposition at Boonsboro 15th April 
and again 4th July. Four were wounded including Captain Boon. 
Logan's Station was also attacked and one man killed and two others 
mortally wounded while guarding women who were milking the cows 
outside the stockade. 

Governor Hamilton reported to Secretary Germain under date 
27th July, 1777, that he had sent out fifteen war parties composed of 
two himdred and eighty-nine savage warriors with thirt\ British officers 
and rangers. The "iGth Sejitember, Hamilton was given full control of 
this western country, he having passed the probationary period in his 
worse than barbarous work satisfactorily to the British Government. 
He reported to Governor Carleton 15th January, 177H, that "The 
parties sent from hence have been generally successful, though the 
Aborigines have lost men enough to sharpen their resentment : they 
have brought in 23 prisoners [Americans] alive, twenty of which they 
presented to me, and 129 scal])s."*. 

Dani«l Boon, pioneer of Kentucky, with twenty-six companions 
were captured February 7, 177H. While making salt at the Blue Licks 
they were quietly surrounded bv eighty or ninetv Miamis of the Mau- 
mee led by two Frenchmen named Baubin and Lorimer. With his 
usual discretion Boon decided it best to surrender on condition of being 
well treated. They were taken to Chillicothe and then to Detroit 
where Hamilton offered the Aborigines one hundred pounds for Boon. 
They refused to sell him for this price. The 10th April they took him 
into Ohio where he further ingratiated himself in their favor, and they 
adopted him into the tribe. y\t Chillicothe in June he saw a war party 
on its way against Boonstioro, and he escaped thither. He made the 
journey of one hundred and sixty miles in four days, with not to exceed 
one meal of food on the wav. He was tried by court-martial for sur- 
rendering at Blue Licks, was acquitted, and promoted to the rank of 
major. 

August H, 1778, between three and four hundred Shawnees and 
Miamis, led by their chiefs. Captain Daigniau de (Juindre (written 
Duquesne by Major Boon) and eleven other Frenchmen, appeared be- 
fore the stockade at Boonsboro with both the British and French flags, 
and demanded surrender in the name of his Britannic Majesty, George 
III. Upon request Major Boon was granted two days in which to de- 
cide, and he lost no opportunity meantime to gather the live stock and 
other necessaries within the palisades. There was further parleying, 
with dangerous deception on the part of the enemy, followed by the 
besieging of the place for nine days. The casualties to the Kentuck- 



"^ History of Detrcit and Michigan, by Silas Fanner, volume i. 1889; From Michigan Historical 
Collections. 



HORRIBLE SAVAGE WORK INSTIGATED BY BRITISH. 135 

ians were two killed and four wounded ; and the enemy suffered but 
little more.* Au^just liOth the enemy withdrew, and Boonshoro was not 
again seriously attacked during tlu' war. The marauding parties sent 
against the frontier settlements were usually much smaller than the 
one last mentioned. August '2v)th, fifteen Miamis were started ; Sep- 
tember nth, thirty-ont' Miamis : September 9th, one Frenchman, five 
Chippewas, and fifti-en Miamis, are the statements of a few of the indi- 
vidual reports. Hamilton rei)orted 16th Sejitember that his ])arties 
" had taken thirty-four prisoners, 17 of which they deli\erid up, and 
eighty-one scalps." t 

Major Arent Schuyler Ue Feyster, at different times commandant 
of Detroit, reported a form of presentation to Lieutenant Governor 
Hamilton on return of the savages who had been sent on marauding 
expeditions, as follows: "Presenting sixteen scalps, one of the Dela- 
ware chiefs said, Listen to your children, the Delawares who are come 
in to see you at a time they have nothing to apprehend from the enemy, 
and to lart-sent you some dried meat, as we could not have the face to 
appear before our father empty." + 

All scalps were paid for ; and at the starting out of the savages for 
their raids, the governor, and sometimes the commandant, encouraged 
them by singing the war song, by the gift of some weajion, and by pas- 
sing their weapons through his own hands, thus 'taking hold of the same 
tomahawk ' to show full sxmiiathy with them in their murderous work. 
On their return to Detroit tin \ were sometimes welcomed by firing the 
fort's cannon. Hamilton was also charged with having standing prices 
for American scalps, but generally none for prisoners, thus inducing the 
savages to at once kill all weak or resisting prisoners reserving such as 
could carry the plunder for them to Detroit where it would be deter- 
mined what disposition could best be made of them. These war parties 
Went out, and returned, through this Basin ; and many of them were 
recruited from this region. 

It was at these trying times that Captain Alexander M'Kee, a 
native of Pennsylvania, his two negro servants, with Matthew Elliott, 
Simon Girty and a few others, deserted Pittsburg l^^th March, 177^, 



*See The Winning of the West, by Theodore RooseveU. volume ii, pace '20 et seq. 

tThe late Samuel Prescott Hildreth, M. D.. communicated to The American Pioneer oi July. 1H43. 
volume i, payes 391, 292, the conEession in the year 1798 of the noted savage " Silver Heels " that he had 
taken the scalps of sixteen white people, among the number being Abel Sherman who resided near where 
he boasted of taking the scalp in large size, of dividing it carefully, and selling the parts as two scalps in 
Detroit for fifty dollars each. 

Possibly many of the scalps and prisoners referred to above by Hamilton, were taken at the Mas- 
sacre of Wyoming. Pennsylvania, as many of the savages who participated in that crime went from this 
western region, led by Captain Henry Bird of the 8th British Regiment. 

+ The enquiring reader can learn more of this horrible story by referring to General Lewis Cass' 
communication to the North American Review, and to Rev. David Zeisberger's Diary, volume i, page 37. 
Also to the Haldimand Papers, passim, and Fanner's History of Detroit. 



134 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



and the Americans who had trusted them, and made their way to Detroit 
where they joined the British. Soon thereafter through their influence 
over twenty other persons deserted for Detroit. In Pittsburg, where the 
efficient number of patriots was small and the dangers great, these de- 
sertions caused alarm and anxiety. These traitors stopped with the Dela- 
ware Aborigines ( Moravians) by the Tuscarawas River, a tributary of the 
Muskingum, and influenced them against the Americans. The reports 
carried to Detroit led to communications with these Aborigines bv the 




THE SCALP DANCE OF THE SAVAGES 
( From Catlin ) 

British, which in turn led the Americans to the belief that they were in 
accord with the British. This belief, with the large number of Delawares 
known to be with the war parties, caused the sad massacre of a part of 
the Moravian band by Pennsylvanians, reference to which will be again 
made. 

M'Kec, Elliott and Girty were received at Detroit with great joy 
by Governor Hamilton' a man of their own type. M'Kee was com- 
missioned Captain and interpreter in the British Aborigine Department 
and, later, was advanced to Colonel and to Commissary and Department 
Aborigine Agent. Simon Girty was retained as interpreter and sent to 
the Senecas (Mingoes) with whom he was to live, keep them friendly 
to the British, and to accompany them on their raids against the Ameri- 
cans. James and George Girty also deserted to Detroit, the former 
arriving there 15th August, 1778, and the latter 8th August, 1779. t 



* Hamilton's letter of April 35, 177M, with Haldiniand Papers. 

tThere were four brothers in this Girty, or Gerty, family. The father, .Simon, was killed in 1751 
while in a drunken bout with the Aborigines. He was Irish, and his wife was English. The names of 



THE GIRTYS. RXPEDITION OF GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 155 

The resources of the Americans were fully employed for their pro- 
tection against the British and their Aborigine allies in the East ; but it 
was apparent that something more should be* done to prevent or 
counteract the activities of these enemies from the West. Early in the 
spring^ of 1778 Virginia, or rather Governor Patrick Henry, for the 
purpose of drawing the enemy away from her borders and from Ken- 
tucky, gave the energetic Major George Rogers Clark (who had been 
aiding in the protection of Kentucky) authority to gather four com- 
panies of soldiers to make his bravely planned txpedition for the cap- 
ture of the British forts in the Illinois country. With great difficulty 
about one luiiuln-d and fiftv mun were gathered. They boated down 
the Ohio l\i\( r to tin I''alls, and thence to Fort Massac whence they 
went overland. In the evening of July F'ourth they surprised and 
captured without bloodshed the British j^ost at Kaskaskia, and on the 
Hth the post and depository at Cahokia about sixty miles up the 
Mississippi River were captured in like manner : and the French 
soldiers and settlers of these places took the oath ot allegiance to 
the United States with joy upon being informed by Major Clark u^ U 
of the recent alliance of France with the United States. Information 
of this alliance and of these surrenders was communicated to the 
French at Vincenncs and they, being desirous of an opportunity- to 
antagonize the British, conspired against them, and one night in 
August they expelled the British sentiment from the garrison and 
hoisted the American flag over the fort. Colonel Clark, Colonel by 



their children were: I. Thomas, born in 1739 by the Sustjuehanna River. Pennsylvania. He resided at 
Pittsburg loyal to the United Slates. 2. Simon, born in 1741 just above Harrisbury. He was appointed 
as interpreter for the Six Nations at Pittsburg 1st May, 1776. but was discharged Isi Aupust 'for ill be- 
havior.' The Patriots appointed him 2nd Lieutenant in 1777. There will be occasional reference on the 
following pages to his evil conduct while with the British. He died near Anihersthurg. Canada, 18th 
February. I8IH. after a savage course toward his countrymen, and several years blindness. 3. James, 
born in 1743. was of good stature, and not so much addicted to intoxication as Simon and George. He 
married a Shawnee and became a trader with tlie Aborigines in after years with posts at ditlerent times 
at St. Marys, Ohio; near the head of the Maumee, at Defiance; and on the left bank of the Maumee op- 
posite Girty Island which took its name from him. He died I'jth April. 1*^17, in Canada. 4. George Girty. 
born in 1745. He married a Delaware woman who bore him several children. He died while intoxicated 
at the trading post of his brother James at the Shawnee village by the Maumee two or three miles below 
Fort Wayne just before the War of 1812. His family remained with the Delawares.— Butlerheld. 

These three notorious brothers were captured by the Aborigines in August, I7r)6. Simon was taken 
by the Senecas. James by the Shawnees, and George by the Delawares. In 1759 they were all returned 
to their friends at Pittsburg. After their desertion to the British in 1778-79 they, with M'Kee. Elliott, 
and other deserters, were attainted of high treason by tlie Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The Girtys 
and Elliott went into tlie employ of tlie Britisli on pay of two dollars a day, with one and a half rations, 
and were given one gun each, and three horses for riding and packing. The savage deeds of the Girtys. 
even those of Simon which were the worst, have been excused on account of their three years captivity 
with the savages in early life. Such excuse is not just to civilization. It is true, also, that all their early 
life was passed in the midst of alarms and bloodshed: but so was that of all the frontier children, some of 
whom suffered longer captivity, and nearly all of whom became patriots and conformed to the rules of 
legal warfare and were, later, exemplary citizens. The Girty brothers were incited to. and given op- 
portunity for their horrible work by Governor Henry Hamilton's precepts, examples, and employment 
of them for such work. Such men were sought by the officers and agents of the Britisli government to 
lead the savages, and the British thus became a party to and responsible for their acts. 



156 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

recent iiromotion, having thus gained control of all of the ]5ritish 
posts in the southwest, gave his attention to alla\ing the savagery of 
the Aborigines toward the Americans, and with good success in the 
Illinois country. 

In October, 1778, the Legislature of Virginia, acting under the 
Colonial Charters of King James I, April 10, 1606, May 23, 1609, and 
March 12, 1611, organized the Northwestern Territory, or as much of 
it as could be controlled by Colonel Clark, into the County of Illinois* 
and appointed Colonel John Todd, junior, County Lieutenant or 
Military Commandant. The 15th June, 1779, this officer issued a 
proclamation from Kaskaskia regarding lands, those occupied by the 
French and others, and this same month a court of civil and criminal 
jurisdiction was instituted at Vincennes with Colonel J. M. Legras 
president. t 

Colonel Clark's successes gave great joy in Virginia and through- 
out the East, and naturally the account of them was received at De- 
troit with alarm : thev even frustrated Hamilton's projected attack on 
Fort Pitt early in 177H. The building by the Americans this year of Fort 
Mcintosh by the upiier Ohio, and Fort Laurens by the upper Tuscarawas, 
caused yet further apprehension among the British. They strengthened 
Fort Detroit ; and Governor General Frederick Haldimand listened with 
more attention to the complaints of residents of Detroit against Lieu- 
tenant Governor Hamilton and his appointe Justice of the Peace, Philip 
Dejean, and they were indicted at Montreal 7th September, 1778, for 
"divers unjust and illegal, Terranical and felonious acts and things con- 
trary to good Government and the safety of His Majesty's Liege sub- 
jects." These presentments were sent to Secretary Germain at London 
endorsed with the excuse that the condition of affairs justified stringent 
measures on the part of Hamilton. + 

Governor Hamilton's continuance in office showed entire confi- 
dence and sympathy of the British Government in and with the savage 
work he was doing. To recover lost ground, and to continue in the 
favor of his Government, Hamilton renewed his efforts with the sav- 
ages bv messengers to the tribes, and to the commandants of the 
remaining British jiosts, along the western lakes, requesting them to 



* This Territory was before nominally included in the County of Botetourt. Virginia, establislied 
by the House of Buruesses in 1769. Like the average early county, Botetourt has been divided to 
form new counties from time to time until the remaining part in Virginia is now only of ordinary size. 

t See Virginia Statutes at Large, volume ix. page .5.57. Theodore Roosevelt writes, in his Winning 
of the West, that Colonel Todd's MS. ' Record Book ' in the Library of Colonel Durrett of Louisville 
is the best authority for these years in the new County of Illinois. The material part of this record is 
embraced in Edward G. Mason's Illinois in the 18th Century. This also gives account of the financial 
troubles after the departure of General Clark's troops. 

♦ Haldimand Papers. Also Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections. 



BRITISH EFFORTS TO RECAPTURE THE SOUTHWEST. 157 



J> J 



_ o 



Hint, till l.al<( Al)orif(ines against Colonel 
Claik aiul tli<' American settlements in the 
southwest. Hamilton wrote to Governor 
Haldimanci thf 17th Si|)temlHr that "next 
year there will he the greatest number of 
savages on the frontier that has ever been 
known, as the Six Nations [Iroquois of New 
York] have sent belts around to encourage 
those allies who have made a general alli- 
ance." 

The turn in affairs was becoming so evi- 
dent against the British that Colonel Hamil- 
ton decided to proceed to V'incennes against 
Colonel Clark, in person. The thought of 
getting away from Detroit for a time must 
have been a relief to him and hr was sure 
of success, for he wrote to Governor Haldi- 
niand "that the British were sure to succeed 
it the\- acted ])rc)m]>tl\-, for the Aborigines 
were favorable to them, knowing thev alone 
could give them supplies. . . The Span- 
iards [along the Mississippi I^iver] are 
feeble and hated by the French : the French 
are fickle and have no man of ca])acitv to 
advise or K'ad them: and the fvebels [Ameri- 
icans] are enterprising and brave, but want 
resources " — a just estimate. 

.\fter great i)reparations Hamilton's com- 
mand left Detroit the 7th October, 1778, 
with fifteen large bateau.x and numerous 
pirogues, each with carrying capacity of from 
l.'^OO to 3000 ])ounds: the largest ones being 
ladin with food, clothing, tents, ammunition, 
and the inevitable rum and other presents 
for the savages. His force at the outset of 
his expedition consisted of one hundred and 
seventy-seven white soldiers as follows: 
Thirty-six British regulars with two lieuten- 
ants : seventy-nine Detroit militia under a 
major and two ca]itains: forty-five volunteers, 
mostly Fienchmen, under Cajnain Lamothe : 
and seventeen members of the Aborigine 
DepartHK-nt including three captains and 



138 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

lour lieutenants ' who ltd the sixty Aborigines that started with 
them from Detroit as well as the Miamis and others gathered to them 
along the Maumee and Wabash — the whole number accreting to 
about five hundred upon arrival at Vincennes. Oxen, carts and a six- 
pounder cannon were sent along on shore with the beef cattle, all to 
stop at the ])ortages to aid in carrying the supplies and boats to the 
next river. Those in the boats had snow, a high wind and rough 
water to deal with across Lake Erie, and were nearly upset by the 
waves before they could be landed on an oozy flat close to the mouth 
of the Maumee.' The Maumee was at a low stage of water, and about 
sixteen days were required to take the boats from its mouth to its head 
(see chapter on the Maumee River). Most of the supplies were left 
under guard at the head of the Maumee during the winter. Here the 
savages, the Miamis principally, had remained friendly to the British, 
as had the Eel River and Wea bands of this tribe, and the warriors 
that were assembled readily fell in line for the march after the regular 
council, feasting and present giving were completed. The 16th De- 
cember the advance of Hamilton's army appeared before the fort at 
Vincennes, and demanded its surrender. Captain Leonard Helm was 
in command and, notwithstanding the fact that his French militia gar- 
rison had deserted him to run to the British on their approach* leav- 
V ing him with only one American, Moses Henry, the Captain refused 
to surrender the fort, and did not until the next day when Governor 
Hamilton, who had learned by the deserting French of his loneliness, 
came up with the army and promised him that he would be well treated. 
The 7th February, 1779, Colonel Clark started from Kaskaskia 
through the floods for Vincennes and, after great hardships from the 
cold, from hunger, and the overflowed country, his command of one 
hundred and seventy men arrived at Vincennes the evening of the 23rd 
and invested Fort Sackville.t This strong fort, armed with cannon 
and swivels, was so thoroughly besieged by Clark's men who were 
armed only with rifles, that Hamilton surrendered it and its garrison 
the next afternoon, and the American flag was again, and permanently, 
\ hoisted.! Two days later twenty-seven of the prisoners of war, includ- 
ing Colonel Hamilton the other officers and regulars, were started 



* An officer of the French militia who had been commissioned by the British, and later by Colonel 
Clark (who carried blank commissions from Patrick Henry. Governor of Virginia) was examined by 
Colonel Hamilton and both commissions were found in his pocket. Apparently it was of little import- 
ance to the French which of the contending parties came alonK~they could declare allegiance to either 
in a moment. 

t Named in honor of the cruel British Colonial Secretary Lord George Germain. Viscount Sack- 
ville, a friend of Lieutenant Governor Hamilton whom Colonel Clark designated the Hair Buyer from 
his purchase of American scalps from his savage war-parties at Detroit. 

i For description of Colonel George Rogers Clark's troops and their patriotic, energetic and suc- 
cessful work in the southwest, see The Winning of the West, by Theodore Roosevelt. 



CAPTURE OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITION FROM DETROIT. 159 

uiuli-r guard for Virginia where the officers were, after due trial, con- 
victed of gross and most cruel atrocities enacted principally by their 
agents from Detroit under tlulr incitements. These acts were so far 
outside the rules of warfare that in punishment . . this Board 

has resolved that the Governor, the said Henry Hamilton, Philip 
Dejean, and William La Mothe [his officers and jiartners in savagery] 
prisoners of war, !» put into irons, confined in the dungeon of the 
pulilic jail, debarred the use of pen, ink and pa]>er, and excluded all 
converse except with their keeper. And the Governor [Patrick Henry] 
orders accordingly." — Virginia State Papers. 

Hamilton was released on parole U)th Octol)er, 17H(), and went to 
New York whence he sailed for England in March, 1781. The militia 
surrendered with Hamilton were paroled by Colonel Clark and they re- 
turned to Detroit, it being impracticable to maintain them at \'inrennes, 
so far from the base of supi>lies. 

A few days after the capture ol Vincennes a detachment ol fifty 
soldiers in boats with swivels, sent by Colonel Clark for this pur])ose, 
captured Colonel Hamilton's boats laden with SHO, 000 worth of sui)]>lies, 
and their British convoy, while on their way Irom winter ([uarters at the 
head of the Maumee, to and down tin- Wabash Rivt r ior Hamilton's 
army. 

Some savages, principally Shawnees, with lieadciuarters at old 
Chillicothe on the east triliutary of the Little Miami River, Incoming 
particularly annoying to the frontier settlers, Colonel John Bowman 
County Lieutenant, with one hundred and si.\t\ Kentuckians, co- 
operating with nearly as many others under Colonel Benjamin Logan, 
marched against them in May, 1779, destroyed their huts, cai)tured 
about one hundred and sixty horses and other projiertN-, but weri' ob- 
ligt'd to retire with a loss of eight or nine of their troops killed, with- 
out inflicting much other loss on the enemy. This expedition had a 
wholesome effect, however, for Captain Henry Bird had at this time 
marshalled a war party of two hundred savages who immediately de- 
serted him upon learning of the Kentucky exjiedition.* 

About this time Colonel Rogers and Captain Benham with a small 
command of Americans suffered defeat near the mouth of the Licking 
River, with a loss of forty-five or more of their men.+ 

The active series of murderous maraudings, instigated by Lieu- 
tenant Governor Hamilton at Detroit, lessened for a time after his de- 
parture for Vincennes ; but after his capture by the Americans the 



* Captain Bird's letter from ' Upper St. Duski' (Sandusky) June 9. 1779. to Captain Lernonit com- 
mandant of Fort Lernoult. Detroit — Canadian Archives. 

(For account of this disaster, and a pathetic account of the resources of wounded woodsmen, see 
Marshall's and Butler's History of Kentucky, the Annals 0/ the West. etc. 



V 



140 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

British rttlouhlt-d their efforts in the West. Regular troops and militia 
were sent from Niagara to Detroit to strengthen Fort Lernoult, the new 
fort built there late in 1778 and early the following year, and named in 
honor of Captain Richard Beringer Lernoult the officer who drafted its 
plan and who succeeded to the command after the departure of Colonel 
Hamilton. The work of the savages in the spring of 1779 not proving 
satisfactory to the British, inquiries as to the cause were instituted. 
Governor Haldimand wrote to Captain Lernoult July 23rd, that " I ob- 
serve with great concern the astonishing consumption of Rum at 
Detroit, amounting to 17,520 gallons per year." Such profuse flow of 
this intoxicant impaired the ability of the savages for constant activity. 
Only active persons were wanted : and the British organization and dis- 
cipline pervaded every quarter. Governor William Tryon of New York 
wrote to Lord George Germain Secretary of State, London, under date 
of July 28, 1779, that . . . "My opinions remain unchangeable re- 
specting the utility of depradatory excursions. I think Rebellion must 
soon totter if those exertions are reiterated and made to ex- 
tremity." * 

Captain Lernoult at Detroit did not ]irove himself equal to the 
demands of his more cruel superiors, and he was superseded in October 
by Major Arent Schuyler DePeyster, a New York tory of pronounced 
character. Efforts were renewed to establish war parties of savages. 
Some scalps were brought in, but the letters of the new commandant to 
Governor Haldimand under date of October 20, and Novemlier 20, show 
disgust at the great quantities of rum drank by the savages, and their 
inefficiency — they refusing to make further effective raids from fear of 
American retaliation. 

The successes of the American troops in the West under Colonel 
Clark, and the placing of lands on the market, induced many families 
to remove west of the Allegheny Mountains in 1779. The winter began 
early and was of unusual severity from cold and depth of snow. Hunt- 
ing was attended with great difficulties, and game, when found, was in 
poor condition. Many wild animals, as well as the domesticated ones, 
died from insufficient food and water, and from the cold. The bears, 
hibernating in hollow trees, were in the best condition and they were 
much sought. The wild turkeys and grouse were the next best game 
for food. The supply of corn (Zea Mays) which was the only bread- 
stuff for most of the people, was early exhausted in many settlements, 
and great suffering was experienced particularly by those who came too 
late to raise a crop. With the oyiening of spring new settlers came in 
increased numbirs. Three hundred large family boats arrived at the 



*London Document XL\'1I. New York Colonial Documents volume viii, page 1 



INCREASE OF AMERICANS. AND OF SAVACE RAIDS. 141 

Falls (>( th< Ohio, luar tlu- prcsint LouisvilK-, with immij^rants from 
the Kast duiint; the spritiu ol 17H().* It is but fair to ascribe their re- 
moval lar^eiy to the laiulicl lertiiity of the soil and the mild climate, 
while admittiiif; that the desire to avoid conscription lor the Rivolu- 
tionarv army was an additional incentive. 

The citizens and t^arrison ot Detroit had also suffered from the se- 
veritx' of the wintir and the scarcity of food supplies. The savages 
relied almost whollx- on that jiost for tlieir supplies, and they were 
generally inactive during the cold weather. They were started out 
early in the spring, however, and Colonel DePeyster reported May 16, 
17H(), that . . "The i)risoners daily brought in here are part of the 
thousand families who are flying from the oppression of Congress in 
order Ui add to tin nunilu r already settled at Kentuck, the finest coun- 
try for new settlers in America ; but it hajjpens, unfortunately for them, 
to be the best hunting ground of the Aborigines which they will never 
give up and, in fact, it is our intiTest not to Kt the N'irginians, Mary- 
landers, and Pennsylvanians get possession there, lest, in a short time, 
they become formidable to this iiost." . . May 26th he wrote to 
Captain Patt. Sinclair, who succeeded him at Michillimackinac as nom- 
inal Lieutenant Governor and Superintendent of Aborigine .\ffairs, that 
"everything is (juiet here [Detroit] excejit the constant noise of 
the war-drum. .Ml the Seiginies [Saginaws?] are arrived at tin in- 
stance of the Shawnees and Delawares. More .\borigines from all quar- 
ters than ever known before, and not a drop of rum !" . . He wrote 
to Governor Haldimand June 1st that he had already fitted out two 
thousand warriors and sent them along the Ohio and Wabash Rivers. 

Great efforts, including an exj^eiiditure of near SS()(),(KH) had been 
made in the fitting out of a larger war-jiarty than usual to whollx- subdue 
the fast increasing numbers of Americans in southern Ohio and Ken- 
tucky. The first of June this party, composed of about si.\ hundred 
savages and a number of Canadians led by Captain Henry Bird, started 
from Detroit. They were well ecjuijiped, including two 'one w-riter says 
six) pieces of artillery, this being the first of such jjarties to take the 
heavier guns. They passed up the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers, thiir 
number being augmented by the savages along their route until, with a 
force of nearly one thousand men, they ap])eared June 'JSnd before 
Ruddell's Station on the south tributary of the Licking Kixcr in Ken- 
tucky. Captain Ruddell, having no heavy guns, decided to surrender 
on promise that the people gathered within the stockade should be 
prisoners of the Canadians alone ; but the Aborigines made haste and at 
the first opportunity seized the men, women and children, manv of 



*Mann Butler's History of Kentucky, pace S 



142 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASfN. 

whom they massacred and the others they carried into captivity. The 
Station was completely destroyed. Martin's Station was taken in the 
same way and its occujiants suffered the same fate. Bryan's (or Bry- 
ant's) and Lexington Stations were assailed on this expedition only 
by savages without artiller\-, who were repulsed: luit they took away 
some live-stock that was jjrazing without the stockades. 

Possibly Captain Bird, and some other British companions of the 
Aborginies, endeavored to exercise some control over the Aborit;ines to 
prevent gross and indiscriminate butchery of captives. They well knew, 
however, before starting out with these 'war-parties' that the savages 
would have their wa\' : that the savages ])ermitted their company only 
for the help derived from them to further their savage desires : and, 
furthermore, that it was from their savage selfishness alone that they 
spared the life of any captive, hojiing thereby to find a desirable help- 
mate, to have a keener enjoyment of savagery in the future torture, or 
more sensuous enjoyment from the rum to be purchased with the price 
of the ransom. 

Colonel De Peyster wrote further, 6th July, 1780, that 
" I am so hurried with warparties coming in from all quarters that I 
do not know which way to turn myself " . . . The 4th August he 
reported to Colonel Bolton, his superior officer on the lakes that 
"I have the pleasure to accpiaint 3'ou that Captain Bird arrived here 
this morning with about !.")() prisoners, mostly Germans who speak 
English, the remainder coming in, for in spite of all his endeavors to 
prevent it the Aborigines broke into the forts and seized many. The 
whole will amount to aliout 850. . . Thirteen have entered into the 
Rangers,"" and many more will enter, as the prisoners are greatly 
fatigued with traveling so far [from carrying the plunder, and from the 
scourgings imposed u]ion them] some sick and some wounded. 
P. S. Please excuse the hurry of this letter — the Aborigines engross 
my time. We have more here than enough. Were it not absolutely 
necessary to keep in with them, they would tire my patience." t 



^Proclamations were issued fioni Detroit and elsewhere dininc the Revolutionary War in which 
great inducements were offered to the Americans to join the British army. These inducements to join, 
coupled with threats to all who refused, were scattered broadcast through every pioneer settlement, and 
many of the less patriotic, of the adventurous and bloodthirsty characters, were thereby led into the 
British ranks. 

tThe late General Lewis Cass, in a communication to the North American Review, thus quotes an 
eyewitness to the return of Captain Bird's Savaces: . , " Hearini; the usual signals of success [sounds 
indicatiuR the number of scalps and prisoners Riven on the approach of a war-party to Detroit ] I walked 
out of town and soon met the party. The S(juaws and young Aboripines had ranged themselves on the 
side of the road with sticks and clubs, and were whipping the prisoners with great severity. Among these 
were two young girls, thirteen or fourteen years old, who escaped from the party and ran for protection 
to me and a naval officer who was with me. With much trouble and some danger, and after knocking 
down two of the Aborigines, we succeeded in rescuing the girls, and fled with them to the Council House. 
Here they were safe, because this was the goal where tlie right of the Aborigines to beat them ceased. 
Ke.\t morning 1 received a message by an orderly-sergeant to wait upon Colonel De Peyster the com- 



KENTUCKIANS PURSUE SAVAGES IN OHIO. DETROIT. 146 

Coloml Clark liad in mind an i .\i>( dition against the savages in 
Ohio l)iloi\' Ca|)tain J-!ird',s invasion ol Kentucky ; and now making 
hastf to Kentucky with two comi)anions, he so aroused the riflemen 
that nine hundic il and seventy were on the march the 2nd of August, 
carrying a tliree-]iounder cannon on a pack-iiorse. Their first ol)jective 
l)oint was Old Chillicothe, whicli they found deserted, and the huts of 
wliich thi\ luunid. 'i'lie\- arrived before Old l'i<|ua 1)\ tin- Miami River 
in the morning of Hth August. This town is described as laid out in the 
manntr of the French villages, and substantiallx built. The strong log- 
houses stood far apart, fronting the stream and were surrounded bv 
growing corn. A strong blockhouse with Ioo|)holed walls stood in 
the middle. Thick woods, liroken by small prairies, covered the roll- 
ing countrv about tiie tow u. Colonel Ijenjamm l^ogan, second in com- 
mand, becanu- separated with a part of the Kentuckians from those 
with Colonel Clark who led his men across the river and finally routed 
the eiuiny lutore Logan came uj). The Americans lost seventeen killed 
and a large number wounded. The enemy's loss was less. Colonel 
Clark burned tlu' houses and destroyed the corn, at Pi<|ua and at an- 
other village with storehouses ol ISritish and I'"rench traders.* lb- did 
not find Cai)tain Bird's cannon which was left at one of the upper 
Miami towns on his return from Kentucky, and which his l)oml)adier 
in charge buried on the approach of the Americans. 

Detroit was developed by the British as their hiadquarters in the 
West from the time of their succeeding the French in 17f)0; and so it 
remained until the year 1791). It was the great rallying center of all the 
western tribes of savages during this time ; and the Americans had, 
during the Revolutionary War, many projects for its capture on this 
account. General Lachlin M'Intosh, Colonel Daniel Brodhead, Gen- 
eral George Rogers Clark, Colonel Le Balme, General William Irvine, 
and others proposed plans for this purpose. 

The march of M'Intosh into Ohio with one thousand soldiers, and 
their building Fort Laurens on the west bank of the Tuscarawas 
River in the fall of 177H, was a good step toward Detroit and it had a 
repressing effect ujion the savages for a time; but this fort soon ex- 



manding officer. I found the naval officer, who was with me the precedint: day. alieady there. The 
Colonel stated that a serious complaint had been preferred against us by M'Kee the agent for the Abo- 
rigines, for interfering with the Aborigines, and rescuing two of their prisoners. He said the Aborigines 
had a right to their mode of warfare, and that no one should interrupt them: and after continuing this 
reproof for some time he told me if I ever took such liberty again, he would sen<l me to Montreal or (Jue- 
bec. The naval officer was still more severely reprimanded, and threatened to have his uniform stripped 
from his back and to be dismissed from his Majesty's service if such an incident again occurred. And 
although 1 stated to the Colonel that we saved the lives of the girls at the peril of our own. he abated 
nothing of his threats or harshness." . , 

*See Roosevelt's Winning of the West vol. ii, pages lO-l to III. for full description of this foray. 
based on the Durrett. Bradford. M'Afee and Haldimand MSS. 



144 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

perienced so many losses of mtn and horses from tlie rallyinji foe tliat 
it was abandoned in August, 177S). 

Colonel DePeyster commandant of Detroit reported to General 
Frederick Haldimand Governor of Canada on November 18, 1780, as 
follows : 

A body of Canadians, as the French are called, commanded by Colonel La Balm* 
were defeated on the 5th instant by the Miami Aborigines near that village [at the head 
of the Maumee River]. The Colonel and between thirty and forty of his men were killed, 
and Mons. Khy. who styles himself aid-de-camp, taken prisoner. They relate that they 
left the Cahokias on the ^!rd of October with 41 men ; that a large body were to follow 
them to the Ouia [Ouiotenon] from whence Colonel La Balm proceeded to the Miamis 
[now Fort Wayne, Indiana,] with one hundred and three men and some Aborigines, 
without waiting for the junction of the troops expected, leaving orders for them to follow, 
as well as those he expected from Post Vincent. His design was to attempt a coup-de- 
main upon Detroit, but finding his troops, which were to consist of 400 Canadians 
[Frenchmen] and some Aborigines, did not arrive, after waiting twelve days they plun- 
dered the place [the Miami villages at the head of the Maumee] and were on their way 
back when the Aborigines assembled and attacked them. 

Three days later, lOth November, Colonel De Peyster again re- 
ported that La Balme's command entered the Miami village, took the 
horses, destroyed the horned cattle, and plundered a store he (DePeyster) 
allowed to be kept there for the convenience of the Aborigines. This 
information was carried to Detroit by Miamis who, also, delivered to 
De Peyster Colonel La Balme's personal effects, including a watch set 
with diamonds, his double-barrel gun, regimentals, spurs and papers. 
Governor Haldimand acknowledged the receipt of the Colonel's Com- 
mission, etc.'t 

General George Rogers Clark, recently promoted to Brigadier Gen- 
eral, again revived his plan to capture Detroit. He wrote to President 
Washington who knew the full importance of such an expedition, but 
he replied that . . " It is out of my power to send any reinforce- 
ments to the westward. If the States would fill their Continental bat- 



* Augustin Molton de la Balnie reported that he came from France with General La Fayette; that 
he had served as a lieutenant-colonel of cavalry in France, and as colonel in the American army. 
Richard Winston. Deputy, wrote to Colonel John Todd Lieutenant of Illinois County, 31 October, ITWl, 
that . . There passed this way a Frenchman calling himself Colonel la Balme in the American service. 
I look upon him as a malcontent, much disgusted at the Virginians. Yet I must say he did some good — 
he pacified the Aborigines. He was received by the inhabitants [ French] just as the Hebrews would re- 
ceive the Messiah. He was conducted from the Post here [Kaskaskial by a large detachment of the 
inhabitants, as well as different tribes of Aborigines. He went from here against Detroit, being well 
assured that the .\borigines were on his side. He got at this place and the Kahos [Cahokial about fifty 
volunteers who are to rendezvous at Ouia [Ouiotenon]. Captain Duplaise from here went along with 
him on his way to Philadelphia, there to lay before the French ambassador all the grievances this country 
labors vmder by the Viiginians, which is to be strongly backed by Monsieur de la Balme. 'Tis the gen- 
eral opinion that he will take Baubin, the general partisan at Miamis [head of the Maumee River] and 
from thence to Fort Pitt. . . He passed about one month here without seeing Colonel Montgomery, 
nor did Colonel Montgomery see him.— Virginia State Papers, vol. i, page 380. 

ISee Haldimand Papers; Michigan Pioneer and Historial Collections, and Farmer's History of De- 
troit and Michigan, volume i. 



PLANS AGAINST DETROIT. CESSION BY NEW YORK. 145 

talions we would be able to oppose a regular ami ixrrnanent force to 
the enemy in every quarter. If they will not, they must certainly take 
measures to defend themselves by their militia, however expensive and 
ruinous the system." . . Clark went to \'irj;inia and laid his plans 
before Governor Thomas Jefferson who favored them and, in 17^0-81, 
about t.'5(>0,(HMI depreciated currency was expended for this purpose. 
Tht're was wanted, however, £300,000 more to complete contracts. This 
sum could not well be raised : nor were the troops forthcoming, for 
various ciuestions arose to deter volunteers from enlisting in this expe- 
dition - objections to going so far from home; disputes regarding boun- 
dary lines : and the jealousies l)etween Colonial and local officers, being 
those most jirominent. 

The various claims of the eastern States to the territory west of 
Pennsylvania and Virginia had been the cause of friction between these 
States for years. These claims were based on the Colonial Charters and 
treaties with thi' Aborigines, which were indefinite regarding boundary 
on account of the great extent of the unsurveyed regions. It was finally 
advocated that each State cede her claim to the Union. In October, 
1780, Congress passed an Act providing that territory so ceded should 
be disposed of for the benefit of the United States in general : and that 
the States organized therein should be of good extent — not less than 
one hundred nor more than one hundred and fifty miles square. This 
Act had a good effect and accordingly, 1st March, I7H1, New York as- 
signed her claims ; but the other States did not act for three, four and 
five years. 

The savages renewed their depredations during the spring of 1781, 
and raided far into Kentucky, and to the eastward. Colonel Archibald 
Lochre\- (or Loughry) Lieutenant of Westmoreland County, Penn- 
sylvania, with about one hundred men who went west two years before 
with Colonel Clark, started to rejoin him by the Ohio below the mouth of 
the Miami River for the projected expedition against Detroit. They were 
assailed b}' savages 24th August, 1781, about forty were killed and the 
others taken prisoners to Detroit, including the Colonel. The savages 
were soon thereafter reinforced by one hundred white men, and they 
then raided south of the Ohio River. 

These and other serious disasters caused fresh and increased terror 
among all the frontier settlements. Governor Jefferson appealed to 
President Washington for aid and received reply, written from New 
Windsor 28th December, 1781, that . . "I have ever been of the 
opinion that the reduction of the post of Detroit would be the only cer- 
tain means of giving peace and security to the whole western frontier, 
and I have constantly kept my eyes upon that object ; but such has been 
the reduced state of our Continental force, and such the low ebb of our 



146 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

funds, especially of late, that I have never had it in my ijower to make 
the attempt." . . General Clark was meantime ke]it busy on the de- 
fensive against the savages. 

General William Irvine ot Fort Pitt also investigated the condition 
of affairs at Detroit with regard to an attack on that fort. He reported 
to President Washington that . . " the British there had made treaties 
in November, 17H1, with thirteen nations [tribes] of Aborigines; and 
at the conclusion they were directed to keep themselves compact and 
ready to assemble on short notice. Secondly, the Moravians [Delaware 
Aborigines who were instructed to neutrality by the missionaries] are 
carried into captivity [to or near Detroit] and strictly watched and 
threatened with severe punishment if they should attempt to give us 
[Americans] information of their movements. Thirdly, part of the 
Five [Six] Nations [the Senecas] are assembled at Sandusky." 

At this time, 7th February, 1782, the information was gathered 
that the forces at Detroit were composed of three hundred regular 
troops, from seven hundred to one thousand Canada militia, and about 
one thousand Aborigine warriors who could be assembled within a few 
days time.* It was also estimated at this time that an American army 
to successfully attempt an expedition against Detroit should consist of 
at least one thousand regular soldiers and one thousand militia, with 
cannon, and supplies for at least three months. But it was impossible 
for the Americans to gather such an army for this purpose and, conse- 
quently, the well-prepared savage allies of the British continued to 
inflict great havoc along the extensive frontier. 

The savages liecoming more aggressive, the .\mericans determined 
on more positive defensive and offensive measures. A marauding party 
of savages murdered a woman and child near the Ohio River and muti- 
lated their bodies. These savages were pursued by about one hundred 
and sixty militia from Washington County, Pennsylvania, under Colonel 
David Williamson, to Gnadenhuetten a settlement of Moravian (United 
Brethren) missionaries by the Tuscarawas River a tributary of the 
Muskingum. These missionaries and their Delaware Aborigine fol- 
lowers had been taken to Detroit by forces under British command to 
answer to Commandant DePeyster regarding charges of being friendly 
to Americans. They were there exonerated of the charge and taken to 
Sandusky. Being here short of provisions, a number returned to 
Gnadenhuetten for supplies ; and these Christian Aborigines Colonel 
Williamson's command assailed the Hth March, 1782, killed and 
scalped sixty-two adults and thirty-four children. It appears that the 
savages who committed the recent murders made good their escape 



* A review, or rough census of all the tribes of Aborigines tributary to Detroit in 1782, gave the 
total number as 11,402 — Haldiinand Papers, 



MASSACRE OF AND BY DELAWARE ABORIGINES. 141 

aftri' warning tlir mission Dilawans to do liki-\vis<' or tht-y would 
suiihall l)r l<ilK(l. Only two, youths, oi tin- mission 1 )c'lawares at 
GnadfuliUL-ttt'n and Salem escaped to find their way to Sandusky and 
till the fate of the others.* These Delawares were suspected of aiding, 
i( not jiartii ipatiiiy in, the marauding; incursions with the warriors of 
their tribe and others — see ante pafje 134. They had been several times 
warned of the danger of their position, and even invited by Colonel 
Brodhead in 17^1 to remove to Fort Pitt, without effect. The mission 
Delawares at Schoenbrunn, a few miles distant, escaped Colonel Wil- 
liamson's soldiers and went to Sandusky, to the Maumee, and later 
suffered several other removals. Their huts, with the others, were 
destroyed. 

This slaughter has an ugly look on the jiage of history. It has 
been a favorite subject of comment adverse to the Americans by many 
persons, particularly those who seek every opportunity to condemn all 
disciplinary dealings with the savages ; and of those who overlook the 
desperation to which the .\mericans were driven by them. It was the 
action of men, or at that time was looked upon with favor by men who 
saw at that moment no other course to pursue for the protection of 
their own lives and the lives of their families. The Delawares had for 
many years the reputation, even among their fellow Aborigines of 
other tribes, of being particularly deceitful, treacherous and blood- 
thirsty, and this onslaught was the reaping of but a part of the whirl- 
wiiul which many of the tribe had sown in past years. 

An unfortunate American expedition against Sandusky occurred 
early in June, 1782, with defeat and great loss of life, including that of 
its commander, Colonel William Crawford, who was taken prisoner 
and tortured to death with fire and woundings by the Delawares in the 
most horrible manner. t Emboldened by this success against Ameri- 
cans, savage war-parties again increased in number and daring. 
Captains M'Kee and Caldwell reported to the commandant at Detroit 
the latter part of August, that they had . . . " the greatest body of 
Aborigines collected on an advantageous piece of ground near the 
Picawee village that has been assembled in this quarter since the com- 
mencement of the war . . . eleven hundred on the ground and 
three hundred more within a days march. " . . This great gathering 
was to oppose the (reported) coming of General Clark. Scouts soon 



* History of the Mission of the United Brethren Among the Aborigines in North America, by 
Henry Loskiel, London. I7W, Pan iii. pages ISO. 181. For many details of this massacre see. also, 
Roosevelt's The Winning of the West; Heckeuelder's Narrative of the Mission of the United Brethren : 
Zeisberger's Diary: The Pennsylvania Packet: V. S. Department MSS. No. -U, volume iii; Hale's 
Trans-Allegheny Pioneers, and the H.altiimand Papers. 

t For a full account of Crawford's unfortunate campaign see Expedition Against Sandusky, by 
Consul W. Butlerfield. Cincinnati, 1873. 



148 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

reported that Clark was giviriR attention in another direction and the 
savages divided, mostly into small bands. 

Somewhat over three hundred of these savages led by Captains 
William Caldwell, M'Kee and perhaps Elliott, and one or more of the 
Girtys and other renegades, passed southward across the Ohio River, 
avoiding the gunboat and riflemen patrols that had been guarding the 
border, and attacked Bryan's Station in Kentucky the 16th August. 
They were repulsed with a loss of five killed and several wounded, while 
the loss by the garrison was four killfd and three wounded. They 
retreated, and were followed by the rallying Kentuckians who were un- 
wisely led against their superior number the UHh at the Blue Licks, 
and defeated with a loss of seventy- killed, twelve wounded, and seven 
captured. As was often the case, the enemy suffered loss of a much 
less number — only one Frenchman and six Aborigines being here killed 
and ten .Aborigines wounded.'' The loss of Americans amounted to 
nearly one-half the number present, and nearly one-tenth of the avail- 
able force in central Kentucky. It was the last severe raid, however, 
suffered by this region, for General George Rogers Clark was soon afield 
again, from his station at the Falls of the Ohio, and led tht- hastily 
gathered one thousand and fifty mounted riflemen into Ohio. They 
passed rapidly to the headquarters of the savages, principally Shawnees, 
by the headwaters of the Miami Rivers where, the 10th November, 
they overtook and killed ten of the fleeing enemy, took seven prisoners, 
and released two Ainericans. All the cabins and huts were burned, 
also a great quantity of corn and provisions which destruction reacted 
directly against the British inasmuch as they, from motives of economy 
to themselves, encouraged the planting of corn bv Aborigine women, 
and every bushel destroyed meant so much the more to be sui>plied by 
them for the feeding of their savage allies. The dislodged savages 
found refuge by the Auglaise and Maumee Rivers. They were followed 
as far as the British trading post at the beginning of the portage to the 
Auglaise River by Colonel Benjamin Logan of Clark's command with 
one hundred and fifty men who destroyed the trading post there. 

May '2d, 17^2, the British Cabinet agreed to propose independence 
to the United States. Armistice was declared to the armies as soon as 
practicable thereafter, but months were necessary to control the savage 
allies of Great Britain to accjuiescence in the terms of ])eace. A pro- 
jected expedition into northwestern Ohio by Colonel Williamson from 
Fort M'Intosh was stopped by this armistice. November 30th the 
preliminary treaty was signed at Paris, closing the Revolutionary War. 



* For details of this severe battle, see account in Roosevelt's Winning of the West, here based on 
Levi Todd's [Colonel John Todd was ainoni; the killed ] Boon's and Logan's letters given in the Virginia 
State Papers vol. iii, pages 376, 2H0, 300 and 333, which show some other writers inaccurate, 



TREATY BOUNDARY. LULL IN SAVAGERY. 149 

CnNTiNiKii F.Ririsn .\i;i;ressions. Thk Aborkmnes. 

Tlu- Triat\ ol Paris was concluded at Versailles 3rd September, 
1783, about tin months after the preliminary agreement closing the 
Revolutionar\ War. This Treaty distinctly set forth that the territory' 
southward of the middle of the Great Lakes and their connecting waters, 
and eastward of the middle of the upi)er Mississippi River, should be- 
long to the United States, and that Great Britain should withdraw her 
troojis from Detroit and otlu r parts ol this territory. 

As witii the Britisli on their succeeding the French in ITCiU, tin- 
Aborigines wiTt- willing to go with the nation which e.xtended to them 
the most presents, and which most freely indulged their sensualities. 
In May, 17H3, Benjamin Lincoln the American Secretary of War sent 
Ephraim Douglas to tlu' Aborigines of Ohio, and the west, to win and 
encourage their friendliness to the United States. He arrived at San- 
dusky the 7th June and passed some days with the Delawares there, and 
the Wyandots, Ottawas and Miamis along the lower Maumee. The 
4tli July he arrived at Detroit and Colonel De Peyster there called a 
council at which the following named tribes were represented; viz: 
Chippewa, Delaware, Kickapoo, Miami, Ottawa, 'Oweochtanos' Pianke- 
shaw, Pottawotami, Seneca, Shawnee, and Wyandot; and, ref)orted Mr. 
Douglas, . . ' Most of them gave evident marks of their satisfac- 
tion at seeing a subject of the United States in the country. They car- 
ried their civilities so far that my lodging was all day surrounded with 
crowds of them when at home, and the streets lined with them to attend 
my going abroad, that they might have an opportunity of seeing and 
saluting me, which they did not fail to do in their best manner with 
every demonstration of joy." . . Mr. Douglas returned to Niagara 
the 11th July, and his further reports lead to the inference that he did 
not comprehend the full cause of the adherence of the savages to the 
British during the war, nor the mercenary cause of their dogging his 
steps during his visit : and that he had no foreboding of the manv 
bloody years that were to follow. The British allowances had largely 
ceased at the close of the war. The savages were therefrom now short 
of rum and provisions: and they hoped to find in the new regime fresh 
and more liberal supplies.* 



*The cause of the popularity and continued successes of the British with the savages during the 
Revolutionary War is plain. They outbid the Americans in their lavish pivina of intoxicants and articles 
that delighted the savage palates and eyes, and in the general aid extended theni for tlie free indulgence 
of their bloodthirsty natures. The British expenditures for this purpose during the Revolutionary War 
grew apace, and in the view of the central office the amounts became 'enormous" and "amazing," aggre- 
gating millions of dollars. From 2.5th December. 1777. to 31st .\ugust, 1778, there were received at De- 
troit 371,460 barrels flour ; 43.176 lbs. fresh beef; 16,473 lbs. salt beef; 303,932 lbs. salt pork ; 19,7,56 lbs. 
butter; and great quantities of mutton, corn, peas, oatmeal, rice, and rum. In the summer of 1778 fifty- 
eight-and-a-half tons of gunpowder was sent to Detroit from Niagara of which the savages received the 
largest share, as there were in Detroit ."Wth August. 1778. but four hundred and eighty-two militia with 



150 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The British Government was fully apprised of the difficulties and 
the improper aggressiveness of their conduct toward the American Abori- 
gines before and after the close of the war. Colonel DePeyster early- 
saw the danger of the course prescribed for him and wrote to Governor 
Haldimand that 

1 have a very difficult card to play at this post [Detroit] which differs widely from 
the situation of affairs at Michilimackinac, Niagara, and others in the upper district of 
Canada. It is evident that the back settlers [southward from Detroit] will continue to 
make war upon the Shawanese, Delawares and Wyandots, even after a truce shall be 
agreed to betwixt Great Britain and her revolted Colonies. In which case, while we con- 
tinue to support the Aborigines with troops (which they are calling aloud for) or only 
with arms, ammunition, and necessaries we shall incur the odium of encouraging incur- 
sions into the back settlements — for it is evident that when the .Aborigines are on foot, 
occasioned by the constant alarms they receive from the enemies entering their country, 
they will occasionally enter the settlements and bring off prisoners and scalps — so that 
while in alliance with a people we are bound to support, a defensive war will, in spite of 
human prudence, almost always terminate in an offensive one. 

Immediately after the Treaty of Paris the British began to ex- 
perience the embarrassment of their desired relation to the Aborigines — 



little use for ammunition in and near the fort. David Zeisberger, the Moravian Missionary, compelled 
by the British to remove to Detroit, wrote in his Diary, volume i. page 32. under date 31st October, 1781, 
that ..." We met to day Liust east of the mouth of the Maumee River] as indeed every day as far 
as Detroit, a multitude of .aborigines of various Nations, who were all bringing from Detroit horse-loads 
of wares and gifts, and in such number that one would think they must have emptied all Detroit." . . 

The following list shows the character and quantity of some of the articles estimated by the British 
as wanting for the .aborigines at Detroit for the year ending 20th .-Vugust. 17h:^. before the treaty of peace, 
viz ; 230 pieces Blue strouds ; 20 pieces Red strouds ; 10 pieces Crimson strouds ; 10 pieces Scarlet strouds ; 
30 pieces Scarlet cloth «s, 6d Sterling; 4.000 Pr. i'i Pt. Blankets; 3tKI 3 Pt. Blankets; 500 Pr. 2 Pt. Blankets; 
500 Pr. lij Pi. Blankets; 1000 line 2'2 Pt. Blankets; 1000 pieces 4-4 linen, sorted; 100 pieces striped cali- 
mancs; 100 pieces striped cotton ; 2, OtX> lbs. Vermillion in 1 lb. bags; 50 pieces coarse muslin; 20 pieces 
Russia Sheeting; 100 Doz. Blk silk handkerchiefs; 20 Doz. Colored silk handkerchiefs; 30 Doz. Cotton 
handkerchiefs; 250 pieces ribbon assorted ; 2t)0 Gross Bed lace; 200 Gross gartering ; 30 pieces embossed 
serge; iiOOfelt HatsJi; laced; 100 Castor Hats '/2 laced; 50 Beaver Hats ia laced; 500 Pieces White Melton; 
20 Pieces Coating, blue and brown; 20 Pieces Brown Melton; 3t) Pieces Ratteen, Blue and Brown; lOO 
Common Saddles; 4U) Bridles; .500 Powder Horns; 20 Doz. Tobacco Boxes; 30 Doz. Snuff Boxes; SO 
Gross Pipes; liOt) large feathers, red, blue, green; 3(K1 Black ostrich feathers; 200 Pairs shoes; 2,50 Pairs 
Buckles; 100 Pieces Hambro lines; 10 Doz. Mackerel lines; '0 Doz. Spurs; nO Gro. Morris Bells; 50 Gro. 
Brass Thimbles; 6 Pieces Red serge; 10 Pieces White serge; 6 Pieces Blue serge ; 10 Gross Jews harps; 
.500 Fusils [Flintlock Musketsl; 200 Rifled Guns small bore; .50 Pair Pistols; 5 Doz. Couteaux de Chasse 
[ hunting knives); .5(XtKXt Gun Flints; 60 Gro Scalping Knives; [The books of one jobber in Detroit also 
show * sixteen gross red handled scalping knives at ItXls per gross,' and, again, 'twenty four dozen red 
handled scalping knives,' sold to one retailer within a period of seven weeks in the summer of 1783]; 10 
Gross Clasp Knives; 20 Gross Scissors; 20 Gross Looking Glasses; 10 Doz. Razors; 3tKl lbs. Thread as- 
sorted ; 20 pieces spotted swan skin; 12, IXX) lbs. Gunpowder ; 36,IXX) lbs Ball and shot ; 1 Gro Gun locks; 
500 Tomahawks; 500 Half axes; aOQ Hoes; 30 Gross fire steel; 10,000 Needles; 400 Pieces calico; 80 pounds 
Rose Pink; l.'i(«l lbs Tobacco; 6lXl lbs. Beads assorted; 40 Gross Awl Blades; 40 Gross Gun Worms; 30 
Gross Box combs; 6 Gross Ivory combs; "20 Nests Brass Kettles; 20 Nests Copper Kettles; 20 Nests Tin 
Kettles; 60 Nests Hair Trunks; 300 lbs. Pewter Basins; 100 Beaver Traps; 20 Gross Brass finger rings; 
.5,000 lbs. iron ; 1000 lbs steel ; .500 lbs Soap ; 6 barrels White Wine ; 5 Barrels Shrub ; iOO.OtW Black Wam- 
pum ; UXl.OlX) White Wampum. 

Silver Works ; 

13,000 large Brooches; 7000 Small Brooches; MO Large Gorgets; 300 Large Moons; .550 Ear Wheels; 550 
Arm Bands; 1,5(X) Prs. large Ear bobs; 1,500 Prs. Small Ear bobs; Some medals chiefly large; A large as- 
sortment Smith and Armorers tiles. — [ Signed ] A. S. DePeyster, Major King's Regl. Detroit and its De- 
pendencies. 



RENEWED BRITISH AGGRESSION. MILITARY POSTS. 151 

of thf difficulties in rt'tainin^ tlieir influence with them while lessenin^i 
expenditures on their behalf. Colonel DePeyster re]>orted from Detroit 
to Govt rnnr i laliliiiiaiurs secretary l>^th June, 1783, before the arrival 
of Ambassador Douglas, that . . . " W'e are all in expectation of 
news. KvervthiuK that is bad is spread through the Aborigines' coun- 
tr\- but, as 1 liave nothing inon- than the King's proclamation Irom 
authority, 1 evade answering imjiertinent questions. Heavens! if goods 
do not arrive soon, what will l>ecome of me? I have lost several stone 
weight'' of flesh within these twent\- days. 1 ho])e Sir John [Sir John 
Johnson Hritish SujHrintendent ot Aborigine Affairs] is to make us a 
visit." . . . 

To prexiiit comjjlications and consequent quarrels, Congress in 
ITHii forbade the purchase of land from the Aborigines by individuals ^ 
or companies. Agent Ephraim Douglas reported t'ebruary 2, 17^4, 
that early in tin- tall of 17Hi5 Sir John Johnson assembled the different 
western tribes oi .Mxirigines at Sandusky (American territorv) and, 
having prepared them with lavish distribution of presents, addressed 
tluin in a speech to this purport, Simon Girty l)eing the interpreter, 
viz : . . . That the King his and their common father had made 

])eace with the ,\mericans, and had given them the land possessed by 
the British on this continent ; but that the report of his having given 
them any part of the Aborigines' lands was false, and fabricated by the 
Americans for the purpose of provoking the Aborigines against their 
father; that they should, therefore, shut their ears against it. So far 
the contrary was proved that the great river Ohio i\as to be the line 
between the Aborigines in this quarter and the Americans, over which 
the hittiT ought not to pass and nturii in safety. "... 

The impartial and unreserved historian must attribute a large pro- 
portion of the trouble the United States has had with the savages, inclu- 
ding their many savage butcheries, to the perfidy and arrogant meddle- 
someness of the British from the first. They were repeatedly im- 
portuned to withdraw from this territory according to the terms of the 
Treatv at Paris, and to let the savages in American territory alone. 
President Washington sent Baron de Steuben of the United States Armv 
to Governor Haldimand 12th July, 17''^3, to ask that orders be issue'd 
for the withdrawal of British troops from Detroit and other posts in 
American territory whence they persisted in dominating the savages 
throughout Ohio and the southwest. t The request was refused, and 
statements made that the treaty was provisional, and that no orders had 
been received to surrender the posts. Governor George Clinton of New 



*An English stone weight in the sense here used is fourteen pounds avoirdupois, 

t See letter on the the subject of an Established Militia and Military Arrancements, addressed to 

the Inhabitants of the United States by Baron de Steuben New York. I7K4. in which is a suetiested 

treatment of the British at this time. 



152 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

York was refused the surrender of Fort Niagara May 10, 1784. Another 
unsuccessful demand for their surrender was made July 12, 1784, through 
(the then) Lieutenant Colonel William Hull.* The British continued 
to hold the posts of Detroit, Michillimackinac, Niagara and Oswego 
until the year 1796; and in 1794 they built Fort Miami by the lower 
Maumee ; whence they were a menace to the peace, and lives, of Ameri- 
can settlers in this Northwest Territory, as shown on subsequent pages. 



CHAPTER VI. 



The Aborigines — Organizations — Hostilities — Defeats. 
1784 TO 1791. 

The Aborigines continued unsettled and threatening, and the 
United States Govt-rnment continued a pacific policy. The Legislature 
of New York for some time after the close of the Revolutionary War 
favored the expulsion from American territory of the Six Nations 
(Iroquois of New York) on account of their instaliility and treachery; 
but it was finally decided by Congress to bear with them, to keep them 
as fully as possible from British influence and try to civilize them 
through treaty and confining them to narrower limits, by gradually and 
nominally purchasing their claims to territory unnecessary to them. 
Accordingly the 2"2nd October, 1784, a treaty was effected at Fort 
Stanwix, on the site of the present Rome, New York, when the Six 
Nations relinquished all claim to the western country. These claims 
were based on their, and the British, idea of right of conquest from the 
western tribes, but they did not want to accord the Americans any such 
right. 

Virginia ceded to the United States all her right, title and claim to 
the country northwest of the Ohio River March 1, 1784. t Congress 
was prepared for this act and the committee, of which Thomas Jeffer- 
son was Chairman, reported the same day a plan for its temporary 
government. The names proposed for the divisions of this Territory 
(see engraving) not meeting with approval, they were erased from the 
plan the 23rd April : and later this suggested plan for division was 
rejected. 



''American State Papers. Foreign Relations volume i, page 181 e( sequentia. 

t For account of the claims of the States to the Northwest Territory, see Hinsdale's The Old 
Northwest: Donaldson's Public Domain : H'Mreth's History of Washington County: Smith's The St. 
Clair Papers: Cutler's Life, Journal and Correspondence of Manasseh Cutler, etc. These claims 
were not altogether valid. The Territory belonged to the United States from conquest. 



EFFORTS FOR TREATY WITH ABORIGINES. LANDS. 153 



PIAN roR 
DIVISION «T»tWE5T 

BEFORE CONSRCSS 

MARCH lH/78'f 



Continuing its humane jiolicy towards the Ahorisines, the United 
States, bv commissioners Geort;e Ro^^ers Clark, Richard Butler and 
Arthur Lee, met the chiefs of the Chippewa, Delaware, Ottawa and 
Wyandot tribes at Fort M'lntosh on the ritfht bank of the Ohio River 
at tlu' mouth of Heavir Creek about twent\-nine miles below Pitts- 
bur)^ and 21st Januarx, 1 THf), effected a treaty in which the limits of 
their territory were aj^reed u])on as the Maumee and Cuyahoga Rivers, 
and from Lake Erie to a line runninK^ westward from Fort Laurens bv 
the Tuscarawas to the i)ortaKe on the headwaters of the Miami River. 
Reservations were made by the United States of tracts six miles square 
at this portage, at the mouth of the Maumee, and two miles square at 

Lower Sandusky. Three chiefs 
were to remain hostages until all 
American prisoners were surrtn- 
dered by them. 

Overtures for treaty and peace 
were also made to the Miami, Pot- 
tawotami, Piankeshaw, and other 
western tribes but, through the 
influence of the British and French 
with whom they associated atul who 
were in opposition to the Anu rican 
system of government, l;uul sur\(ys, 
and definite land titles, the iKsiretl 
treaty could not be effected. l^ut a 
large council of these tribes was 
held at Ouiotenon the next August 
where savage raids on .American 
frontier settlements were incited. 

The 19th April, 1785, the Legis- 
lature of Massachusetts released to 
tlie General Government her claims 
in the Northwestern Territory, ex- 
cepting Detroit and vicinity which 
were released 30th May, 18tW. 

The desire for western lands for settlement by immigrants from 
the East being so great following the Treaty at Fort M'lntosh, with 
the desire for action to adjust titles, that Congress, 20th May, 1785, 
passed 'An Ordinance for Ascertaining the Mode of Disposing of 
Lands in tlu Western Territory ' which provided for the survev and 
marking ot lines, townships, water power sites, etc. On account of 
' several disorderly persons having crossed the River Ohio and settled 
upon unappropriated lands ' Congress passed an Act June 15th pro- 




154 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

hibitiiiK such intrusions, and commanding the intruders 'to depart with 
their families and effects without loss of time, as they shall answer the 
same at their peril.' This action was taken to protect the lives of the 
would-be settlers as two members of the four families who settled near 
the mouth of the Scioto River were killed by savages in April; also 
to allay the antipathy of the savages while preparing the country for 
formal settlement. It was during this summer that the extensive pur- 
chases of land by the Ohio Company of Associates, and by John Cleves 
Svmmes, were negotiated. 

Great Britain, with her usual selfish arrogance, continued to hold 
all tlie Great Lake forts. John Adams, United States Minister to 
Great Britain, rejjorted to Congress 30th November, 1785, that he had 
demanded that the British withdraw their forts and posts from Ameri- 
can territory, and that they objected with the statement that some of 
the States had violated the Treaty of Paris in regard to the paj'ment of 
their debts to Great Britain.* 

A few regular troops occasionally passed along the Ohio River 
from Fort Pitt to and from Vincennes and Kaskaskia, escorting officers, 
carrying dispatches and convoying supyilies. The 22nd October, 1785, 
Fort Finney was built by Major Finney's command on the bank of the 
big Miami River about one mile above its mouth ; and here the 31st 
Januarv, 1786, commissioners effected a treaty with the Shawnees, 
with Wyandots and Delaw-ares as witnesses, wherein land was allotted 
to them southwest of that allotted at the Treaty of Fort M'lntosh, and 
extending to the Wabash River, with like conditions. Hostages were 
retained for the return of American captives, as at the other treaties ; 
but they escaped, and very few captives were returned. The Miami 
and western Aborigines were urged to participate in these treaties, but 
they again declined, being yet under British influence. t There con- 
tinued a great removal of settlers from the East to the Ohio Valley ; and 
depredations on them by these savages became so frequent and 
exasperating that a thousand Kentuckians under General Clark marched 
to Vincennes against the Wabash tribes in the fall of 1786 : but poor 
supplies and disaffection among the volunteers caused a return of the 
army without punishing the enemy. An expedition of nearly eight 
hundred mounted riflemen under Colonel Benjamin Logan was also 
fitted out against the hostile Shawnees. This expedition detourred the 



* The British armies impressed into their service and took away some of the nejjro slaves of 
.Americans; and these States desired to offset the value of these slaves against the levies of the British. 
See Benjamin Franklin's articles on ' Sending Felons to America.' and his ' Retort Courteous ' for some 
iust sarcasm rei^ardiny the urgent haste of the British to be paid by the people whose property they 
had destroyed. Compare The Laws of Virginia regarding these claims. Also the several Letters of 
Henry Knox Secretary of War. No. 1.50, volume i. 

t See the United States State Department MSS. No. 56. pages 345. 395; and No. 150. 
Also the Haldimand Papers during 1784 to 1786. 



LAND CESSION. DISAFFECTION IN OHIO BASIN. 155 

headwaters of Mad River, in the present Clark and CliampaiKn coun- 
ties, Ohio, burned eight large towns, destroyed many fields of corn, 
killed about ten warriors including the head chief, and cajitund thirty- 
two prisoners.* 

The 14th Siptenilier, 17m(), Connecticut released her claims to lands 
in the Northwestern Territory in favor of the United States excepting 
her ' Western Reserve ' from-the forty-first degree of latitude to that of 
forty-two degrees and two minutes, and from the western line of l-'enn- 
sylvania to a north and south line one hundred and twent\ miles to the 
west ; and that State opened an office for the disposal of that part of tiie 
Reserve east of the Cuyahoga River, the eastern boundary of the ter- 
ritory allotted the Aborigines. This cession cleared this Basin of claims 
by individual States. 

With the increasing poi)ulation west of the .\llrghen\- Mountains 
the free navigation of the Mississippi became a jiaramounl question, 
and some misconctptions regarding Secretary John Jay's efforts toward 
a treaty with Spain caused some commotion in the Ohio Valley to the 
increase there of even the siiirit of indei>endence from the East.t Gen- 
eral George Rogers Clark, whose commission had been withdrawn 2nd 
|ul\, 17'^^!, on account of his services not lieing necessarv and to 
curt.'iil expenses, acting with otlurs at N'iiicennes decided to garrison the 
al)andoned Post V'incennes. A compan\- of men was enlisted early in 
October, 17mB, and the goods of Spanish merchants at Vincennes and 
along the Ohio were seized with a determination that the\- should not 
trade up the river if they would not let the Americans trade down the 
Mississip])i." The Council of N'irginia decided positively against these 
measures 2Mth Februar\-, 17^7, and, by resolution of Congress 24th April, 
the United States troops on the Ohio were directed to take immediate 
and efficient measures for dispossessing a body of men who had, in a 
lawless and unauthorized manner, taken possession of Post \'incennes 
in defiance of the proclamation and authority of the United States': and 
the recently brevetted Brigadier General Josiah Harmar with a small 
force of United States soldiers took possession of the post, allowing 
Clark and his followers to return to their homts. Thus was narrowlv 
averted a war between the United States and Si)ain and France combined. 
The .\mericans engaged in these overt acts wrote to their friends that 
Great Britain stands ready with open arms to receive and support us. 
They liave already offered to 0])en their resources for our sujiplies.'.! 



* M'Donald's Western Sketches: Uillon's History of Indiana. For full description of the temper 
of the savaKes and of the settlers, and of efforts of the tteneral Kovernment for peace, see U. S. State 
Department MSS. Nos. 311, .56, 60 and I,"*). Also Draper MSB. Wisconsin Historical Society Library. 

t See Reports of Secretary John Jay; Stale Department MSS. No. 81, volume ii: Thomas M. Green's 
The Spanish Conspiracy, pace 31, etc. 

» See Draper MSS. Wisconsin Srate Historical Society Library : and State Dept. MSS. Washington. 



156 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



The animus of Great Britain at this time is further shown by a let- 
ter of 22nd March, 17m7, from Sir John Johnson to Joseph Hrant, the 
most prominent Aborigine Chief in the Six Nations, regarding the mili- 
tary posts still held by the British in American territory as follows : It 
is for \our sake, chiefly, that we hold them. If you become indifferent 
al)OUt them they may, perhaps, be given up . . whereas, by sup- 
porting them you encourage us to hold them, and encourage the new 
settlements . . every day increased by numbers coming in who find 
thev cannot live in the States." . . Arthur St. Clair, Representative 
from Pennsylvania, also reported liith April, 17h7, to Congress the con- 
tinued infraction of the Treaty regarding these posts by Great Britain. * 
The many different schemes calculated to eml)arrass the struggling 
young Republic, to deprive it of its rights, and even to disrupt it alto- 
gether, were apparently aided if not initiated by the British. The noted 
Virginia lovalist Doctor John Connolly, before mentioned, a full British 
subject and resident in Canada, again became active, traversing the 
Maumee in his journeyings in 17H7-88-89 between Detroit and Kentucky 
with efforts to alienate the Kentuckians from the East and to ally them 
with the British for the purpose of capturing the Spanish territory on 
the Mississippi and controlling the Mississippi Basin. General James 
Wilkinson charged that Connolly was an emissary direct from Lord 
Dorchester then Governor of Canada — and Wilkinson himself was not 

free from suspicion of being en- 
gaged in similar schemes, even 
for the secession of Kentucky 
from the United States. The 
probability of the correctness of 
Wilkinson's charge, however, 
was strengthened by the fact 
that in June of this year the 
British garrison at Detroit was 
largely reinforced by soldiers 
from lower Canada, and the 
next year the fortifications were 
rebuilt and strengthened by 
order of Lord Dorchester who 
was then there. These warlike 
preparations continued for some length of time, and similar prepara- 
tions were occasionally made for several years. t Benedict Arnold 



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* Journals of Congres s. volume iv. pages 735. 739. 

t See James Wilkinson's Memo/rs vol. ii; Charles E. A. Gayarr^'s History of Louisiana. vo\.iit: 
State Dept. MSS.; Virginia State Papers, vol. iv; Draper MSS.; Gardogui MSS.. etc. For accounts of 
the treachery and savasery of the Aborigines of these years see U. S. State Department MSS. vol. iii. 
No. 150; and Draper MSS. 



CIVIL AND MILITARY ACTIVITIES. THE SAVAGES. 157 

was reported as beinfj in Detroit about the 1st June, 1790, inspecting 
the troops; and the 25th Aufiust President Washington took official 
notice of these British preparations which were evidently for a Miss- 
issijipi campaign. 

The Congressional Coniinillic on tin- TirritorN Northwist ol the 
t)lii() River reported, 7th |ul\, 17f^li, a plan for its division on the 
lines existing to day, e.\cei)ting that a line running dui- east and west 
from the southernmost shore of Lake Michigan was drawn as the north 
line of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and the Straits of Mackinaw were 
llir iiiiitluiTi lini- of Michigan. Thi- ma|) then used showed the south 
end ol Lake Michigan too far north, as will be described on later page. 

The full Ordinance for the government of this Territory was made 
a law the 13th July, 1787. This 'Ordinance of 17H7' marks an era in 
legislative history, and it has received large attention b\- many writers. 
The principal officers of the Northwestern Territory under tiiis Ordin- 
ance were appointed on the Dth October, 1787, to mttr upon their 
duties 1st February, 178H, as follows: Governor, Major Ciiiural 
Arthur St. Clair: Judges, Samuel H. Parsons, James M. \arnuni, and 
John .\rmstrong ; Secretary, Winthrop Sargent. John Cleves Symmes 
was subsequently appointed to the place declined by John Armstrong. 
It has been estimated that within a year after the organization of this 
Territory twenty thousand men, women and children from the eastern 
States passed down the Ohio River to settle in this Territory or in 
Kentucky. 

The renewal of military preparations by the British had an exciting 
effect upon the Aborigines who had long been impatient of their en- 
forced quiet. The increasing settlements in southern Ohio, and south 
of that river, on lands relinquished by the Aborigines in treaty, and the 
completion of the organization of the Territory Northwest of the Ohio 
River, were eagerly accepted as incentives for repeating their murderous 
raids upon the settlements. 

To allay the restlessness known to exist among the .\borigines 
Congress, the 21st July, 1787, directed the Superintendent of Aborigine 
Affairs for the Northern Department, or if he was unable to attend to 
it then General Josiah Harmar, to proceed to the most convenient 
place and make treaty with the .\borigines of the Wabash River 
country and the Shawnees of the Southern part of this Basin and of 
the Scioto, and to grant them all assurances consistent with the honor 
and dignity of the United States. These and repeated like efforts for 
peace were unavailing. Thereupon the first instructions by Congress 
to Governor St. Clair in 1788 were: 1. Examine carefully into the 
real temper of the Aborigines. 2. Remove if possible all causes of 
controversy, so that yieace and harmony may be established between 



158 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

the United States and the Aborigine tribes. ?>. Regulate trade among 
the Aborigines. 4. Neglect no opportunitv that offers for extinguish- 
ing the Aborigine claims to lands westward as far as the Mississippi 
River, and northward as far as the completion of the forty-first degree 
of north latitude. 5. Use every possible endeavor to ascertain the 
names of the real head men and warriors of the several tribes, and to 
attach tliese men to the United States bv every possible means, fi. 
Make every exertion to defeat all confederations and combinations 
among the tribes ; and conciliate the white people inhabiting the 
frontiers, toward the Aliorigines. 

The County of Washington in the Northwest Territory was organ- 
ized in 1 T^^S within the present limits of Ohio; and Governor St. Clair 
and the Judges adopted and published laws, both civil and criminal, 
for the government and protection of the Territory. These laws, how- 
ever, were not operative in the Maumee River Basin for many years on 
account of the Aborigine and British dominance. 

Governor St. Clair succeeded in effecting another treaty Oth Jan- 
uary, 17H9, this time at Fort Harmar at the mouth of the Muskingum 
River, with the Six Nations, also with the Chippewas, Delawares, 
Ottawas, Pottawotamis, Sacs, and Wyandots ; all confirming the 
boundary of the Aborigine claims to be limited between the Cuyahoga 
and Maumee Rivers, and Lake Erie and a line extending from Fort 
Laurens to Loramie, with the reservations to the United States and 
other agreements embraced in the treaties of Forts M'Intosh and 
Finney. These Aborigines at this treaty received from the United 
States an additional sum of six thousand dollars. But a few weeks, 
however, sufficed to again demonstrate their insincerity, and treachery 
— their maraudings being resumed with the opening of spring.* 

General Henrv Ivnox Secretary of War reported to President 
Washington 13th June, 17H9, that murders by savages were still being 
committed on both sides of the Ohio River and that the inhabitants 
were exceedingly alarmed through the extent of six or seven hundred 
miles, that the settlers had been in constant warfare with the savages 
for many years : that 

The injuries and murders have been so reciprocal that it would be a point of 
critical investigation to know on which side they have been the greatest. Some of the 
inhabitants of Kentucky during the past year, roused by recent injuries, made an 
incursion into the Wabash country, and, possessing an equal aversion to all bearing the 
name Aborigines, they destroyed a number of peaceable Piankeshaws who prided them- 
selves in their attachment to the United States. . . By the best and latest informa- 
tion it appears that on the Wabash and its communications there are from fifteen hun- 
dred to two thousand warriors. An expedition with a view of extirpating them, or 



* See State Department MSS. Nos. 56. "I, 151 ; Draper MSS.; and Virginia Slate Papers, vol. iv, 
page 149. 



AMERICAN EFFORTS TO AVERT WAR WITH SAVAGES. 159 

destroying iheir towns, could not be undertaken with a probability of success with less 
than an army of two thousand five hundred men. The regular troops of the United 
Slates on the frontiers are less than six hundred, of which number not more than four 
hundred could be collected from the posts. 

'I'lic ])()sts rofcTicil ti) win- l'"orls Pin, llaimar, SIliiIhii al the- 
Falls of thf Ohio, and V'inccnncs. The Kenluckiaiis anain dLcidtil to 
avcrifjf some wron^fs thfv had n-ccntly suffL-rcd and, l!t)th August, 17'^ti, 
Coloiul John Hardin Kd two hundred volunteer ca\ali\inen across 
the Ohio Kixcr at tile Falls to the Wabash. They killed si.\ Ahoriui- 
Mis, burned unv deserted town, and destroyed the corn found, return- 
inj; the ■28th September without the loss of a man. 

President Washiujiton addressed Governor St. Clair the fith 
October desiring full information rejjardinir the Wabash and Illinois 
Aborigines and requesting; that war with them be averted if possible ; 
but authorizing him to call not to exceed one thousand militiamen 
from Virginia and five hundred from Pennsylvania, if necessarv, to 
cooperate with tlie Federal troops. The Governor was also directed 
to proceed to e.xecute the orders of the late Congress regarding French 
and other land titles at Vincennes and the Illinois country and other 
matters of organization. A little later in the autumn of 17H9 Major 
Doughty's troops built Fort Washington, within the site of the present 
City of Cincinnati, which fort served a useful ]>uri)ose for several 
years. Governor St. Clair and the judges started from Marietta about 
the 1st Januarv, 1790, by boat and stopped at Fort Washington where 
they organized the county of Hamilton, and changed the name of the 
settlement about Fort Washington from that of Losantiville to Cin- 
cinnati. Proceeding down the river, they arrived at Clarksville Mth 
January, and thence to the Illinois country w-here they organized St. 
Clair County to embrace all the Territory west of Hamilton County. 

In consonance with President Washington's instructions, a promi- 
nent French merchant of Vincennes, Antoine Gamelin, who well under- 
stood the temper of the savages and by whom he was favorably known, 
was commissioned by Major John F. Hamtramck to visit and conciliate 
those Aborigines along the W'abash and Maumee Rivers. He started 
on the 5th April, 1790, and his report evidenced a desire of the older 
men of the weaker tribes for peace : but they could not stop their young 
men who were being constantly incouraged and invited to war bv the 
British' and they were dominated by the stronger tribes who, in turn 
were dominated by the British from whom they received their supplies. 
All reproached him for coming to them without presents of intoxicants 
and other supplies. The 23rd April Mr. Gamelin arrived at the Miami 
town, at the head of the Maumee River, where the Miamis, Delawares, 
Pottawotamis and Shaw-nees united in telling him thev could not give 
reply until they consulted the British commandant of the fort at 



160 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Detroit : and they desired, and obtained, a copy of the message of the 
United States to them for the purpose of showing it to him. The British 
traders at this village were present at the meetings. The Aborigines 
promised to send to Major Hamtramck at Vincennes, in writing, their 
answer within thirty days, which was their way of getting rid of him. 

Commissioner Gamelin, being unable to accomplish more with the 
savages, started from the Miami village on his return the 2nd May ; 
and on the 11th reports were received at Vincennes that three days 
after his departure an American captive was roasted and eaten by the 
cannibals at the head of the Maumee River ; and that all the tribes had 
sent out war-parties, in addition to those already ojierating along the 
Ohio River, who ambuscaded many new immigrants. 

With hojie to check the more active savages, the latter half of 
Ajiril Brigadier General josiah Harmar, United States Agent to the 
Aborigines, with one hundred regular troops, seconded by General 
Charles Scott with tw'o hundred and thirty Kentucky volunteers, made 
a detour of the Scioto River. They destroyed the food supplies and 
huts of the hostile savages but shot only four of them — reporting that 
'wolves might as well have been pursued.' 

Early in July, 1790, Judge Henry Inness of Danville, Kentucky, 
wrote to the Secretary of War that 

1 have been intimately acquainted with this district from 17.S.'!. and I can with truth 
say that in this period the ."Vborigines have always been the aggressors — that any incur- 
sions made into their country have been produced by reiterated injuries committed by 
them — that the predatory mode of warfare they have carried on renders it difficult, and 
indeed impossible, to discriminate, or to ascertain to what tribe the offenders belong. 
Since my first visit to the district in November, 178ii, I can venture to say that more 
than fifteen hundred persons have been killed and taken prisoners by the Aborigines ; 
and upwards of twenty thousand horses have been taken away, with other property con- 
sisting of money, merchandise, household goods, wearing apparel, etc., of great value. 
The government has been repeatedly informed of those injuries, and that they continued 
to be perpetrated daily, notwithstanding which the people have received no satisfactory 
information whether the government intended to afford them relief or not. . . I will, 
sir, be candid on this subject, not only as an inhabitant of Kentucky but as a friend to 
society who wishes to see order and regularity preserved in the Government under which 
he lives. The people say they have groaned under their misfortunes — they see no pros- 
pect of relief — they constitute the strength and the wealth of the western country, and 
yet all measures heretofore attempted have been committed for execution to the hands of 
strangers who have no interest in common with the West. They are the great sufferers 
and yet have no voice in the matters which so vitally affect them. They are even accused 
of being the aggressors, and have no representative to state or to justify their conduct. 
These are the general sentiments of the western people who are beginning to want faith 
in the Government, and appear determined to avenge themselves. For this purpose a 
meeting was lately held in this place by a number of respectable characters, to determine 
on the propriety of carrying on their expeditions this fall. 

Early in June, 1790, when yet at Kaskaskia, Governor St. Clair re- 
ceived from Major Hamtramck report of the failure of his and Game- 



GATHERING OF ARMY FOR HARMAR'S CAMPAIGN. 161 

lin's mission to tlic hostile savages, and of tin- hopelessness of being 
able to make a treaty for peace. Committing tlie Resolutions of Con- 
gress relative to lands and settlers alonj; tin- Wabash River to Win- 
throii Sarmant Secretary, who tiun proceeded to organize the County 
of Knox, Governor St. Clair returned by way of the rivers to Fort 
Washington where he arrived the 11th julv. Here General Harmar 
rei)orted In him many raids and murders bv tin- savages, and it was 
agreed and determined that General Harmar should conduct an ex- 
pedition against the Maumee towns, the residence of all the renegade 
.\borigines, liom whence issued all the parties who infest our frontiers. 
The Governor remained with us but three days. One thousand militia 
were ordered from Kentucky, and the Governor on his way to New 
York the seat of the general go\-ernnunt, was to order five hundred 
from the liack counties of Pennsylvania. The li")th Sejitembir was the 
time appointed for the militia to assemble at Fort Washington." * . . 
Active prejiarations were instituted by (ieneral Harmar for this 
camjiaign the object of which was not alone the present chastisement 
of the savages, but also for the building of one or more forts by the 
IMaunue, and the cstaiilishing of a connecting lini' of refuge posts for 
supplies and from whicli sorties could be made to intercept the savages. t 

In a spirit of deference that appears not only undesirable but ser- 
vile at this distance. Governor St. Clair sent on the l!)th September 
from Marietta ' liv a ])rivate gentleman' a letter to Major Patrick Mur- 
ray, Commandant at Detroit, reading that "this is to give you the full- 
est assurance of the pacific disposition entertained towards Great Britain 
and all her possessions; and to inform you explicitly that the expedition 
about to be undertaken, is not intended against the post you have the 
honor to command." . . The only redeeming feature of this letter 
is this sentence: After this candid explanation, sir, there is every 
reason to expect, both from your own personal character, and from the 
regard you have for that of your nation, that those tribes w'ill meet with 
neither countenance nor assistance from any under your command, and 
that you w'ill do what in your power lies to restrain the trading jieople 
from wliose instigations, there is too good reasons to believe, much of 
the injuries committed liy the savages has proceeded." 

The command under General Josiah Harmar Commander-in-Chief 
of the Army of the United States marched northward from near Fort 
Washington, 4th October, 1790. It was composed of fourteen hundred 
and fifty-three soldiers, viz : three hundred and twenty regulars (in- 
cluding one artillery company with three light brass cannon, the largest 



'^ Ebenezer Denny's Military Journal pane 343. Published by ihe Pennsylvania Historical Society. 

' Interestinc details recardinc this proposed forward movement may be found in the American 
State Papers^ Aboricine Affairs volume i, page 100 el sequentia. 



162 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

a six pounder) in two battalions ; elevun hundrud and thirty-thret- mili- 
tia from Kentucky in four battalions, three of infantry and one of moun- 
ted riflemen ; and one battalion of infantry from Pennsylvania. Some 
of the Kentucky militia were 'raw and unused to the gun or the woods; 
indeed many were without tfuns [when they reported at Fort Washing- 
ton] and many of those they have want repairing. Our artificers were 
employed in putting to right the militia arms. General Harmar was 
much disheartened at the kind of people from Kentucky. One-half cer- 
tainly serve no other purpose than to swell the number. . . The 
colonels disputed about the command. . . There was much trouble 
in keeping the officers, with their commands in their proper order, and 
the pack horses, etc., compact.' . . — Denny's Military Journal. 

The following account of the experiences of General Harmar's 
army on the march to and within the Maumee River Basin is taken 
from the diary of Captain John Armstrong of the United States troops, 
when not otherwise noted, viz: * 

October 11, lTi)0. The Army moved at half past nine o'clock ; marched a north- 
west course seven miles to a branch where French traders formerly had a number of 
trading houses — thence a north course four miles to a small branch and encamped at 
fi\'e o'clock. The country we passed over is very rich and level. Eleven miles. 

October 12th. The Army moved at half past nine o'clock ; our course a little west 
of northwest — crossed a stream at seven miles and a half running to the northeast on 
which there are several old camps, much deadened timber which continues to the River 
Auglaize [River St. Mary] about a mile. Here has been a considerable village — some 
houses still standing. This stream is a branch [tributary] of the Omi [Maumee] River, 
and is about twenty yards wide. From this village to our encampment our course was 
a little to the north of west. Rich level land. Fourteen miles. t 

October Kith. The Army moved at ten o'clock ; just before they marched, a pris- 
oner [a Shawnee] was brought in. and Mr. Morgan from Fort Washington joined us. 
We marched to the W. of N. W. four miles to a small stream through low swampy land 
— then a course a little to the N. of W. passing through several small prairies and open 
woods to an .Aborigine village on a pretty stream. Here we were joined by a detach- 
ment from Fort Washington, with ammunition. Ten miles. J 

October 14th. At half past ten in the morning Colonel Hardin was detached for 
the Miami village [at head of Maumee River] || with one company of Regulars and 
six hundred militia — and the Army took up its line of march at eleven o'clock; a N. W. 
course: four miles a small branch — the country level — many places drowned lands in 
the winter season. Ten miles. 



* See Villon'^ History 0/ Indiana pace 267. and Draper MSS. in Wisconsin Historical Society's 
Library, 

t , , Half pound powder and one pound lead served out to each rifleman, and twenty-four rounds 
cartridces to the musketry. Commanding officers of battalions to see that their men's arms are in good 
order and loaded, . . Denny's Military Journal page 347. 

+ Marched through a thick brushy country. Encamped on great branch [tributary] of the Miami 
or Omee IMaumeel River Ithe River St, Mary] near the ruins of La Source's old house, about one 
hundred and tnirty-five miles from Fort Washington — Denny, page 347, 

11 In consequence of intelligence gained of the prisoner that the Aborigines were clearing out as 
fast as possible, and that the towns would be evacuated before our arrival . , , it was impossible 
for the army to hasten much, , , Marched over beech and white oak land generally, and no running 



APPROACH OF HARMAR-S ARMY TO THE MAUMEE. 163 

October l.")tli. Tlie army moved at eight o'clock, N. \V. course, two miles, a small 
branch; then north a little west, crossing a stream, three miles, N. W. course — 
the Army halted at half past one o'clock on a branch running west. Eight miles.* 

October Ifith. The .Vrmy moved at forty-five minutes after eight o'clock ; marched 
nine miles and halted fifteen minutes after one o'clock. Passed over a level country, 
not very rich. Colonel Hardin with his command took possession of the Miami town 
i[head of Maumee River] yesterday at four o'clock — the Aborigines having left just 
before. Nine miles (over beech and swamp oak land Dennyl. Colonel Hardin found 
that the Aborigines had left behind them some cows, and large quantities of corn and 
vegetables ; and the militia, in parties of thirty or forty regardless of discipline, strolled 
about in search of plunder. 

October 17th. The .Vrmy moved at fiftc<:n minutes after eight o'clock ; and at one 
o'clock crossed the Maumee River to the village (several tolerably good log houses, said 
to have been occupied by British traders; a few pretty good gardens with some fruit 
trees, and vast fields of corn in almost every direction — Denny ).t The river is about 
seventy yards wide — a fine, transparent stream. The River St. Joseph, which forms 
the point on which the [main] village stood, is about twenty yards wide [low stage of 
water] and, when the waters are high, navigable a great way up it. Major M'MuUen 
and others reported that the tracks of women and children had been discovered on an 
Aborigine path leading from the village, a northwest course, towards the Kickapoo 
towns [on Eel River]. Cencral Harmar, supposing that ^the Aborigines, with their 
families and baggage, had encamped at some point not far from the Miami village, 
determined to make an effort to discover the place of their encampment, and to bring 
them to battle, .\ccordingly on the morning of the LSth, he detached Colonel Trotter, 
Major Hall, Major Kay, and Major M'Mullen, with a force amounting to three hundred 
men, and composed of thirty regular troops [under command of Captain John Armstrong 
the writer of this record] forty of Major Fontaine's light horse, and two hundred and 
thirty active riflemen. The detachment was furnished with three days' provision, and 
ordered to examine the country around the Miami village. After these troops under the 
command of Colonel Trotter had moved about one mile from the encampment, the light 



water. Country very flat and appears as if at particular seasons it was altocether under water. . . 
This nicht the horses were ordered to be tied up. that the army misht start by daylicht. with a view of 
keeping as near to Colonel Hardin as possible. The distance to the Aborigine towns [head of Maumee 
Riverl this mornini; (14th October] when the detachment went ahead, supposed to be about thirty-five 
miles — Denny. 347. 

* Every exertion made to yet forward the main body. Difficult march this day (October Kithl over 
beech roots and brush. Encanu>ed on the (tributary] waters of the Omee (Maumeel about one hundred 
and fifty-three miles from Fort Washington. Horses were acain tied, grass cut and brouKht to them that 
the army mi^.'ht not be detained next morniny. as had frequently been the case: for although repeated 
orders were given to the horse-masters to hopple well their horses, and directions to the officers and 
men not to suffer them to pass ihroueh the lines, many of them, owinc to the scarcity of food, broke loose 
and passed the chain of sentries and were lost. Patrols of horsemen are ordered out every morniuR at 
daylight to scour the neighboring woods and bring in any horses that might have passed the lines; 
and the pickets turned out small parties for the same purpose. The cattle, also, every pains taken to 
secure them. At evening when the army halts the cattle guard, which is composed of an officer and 
thirty men. build a yard always within the chain of sentries, sometinnes in the stjuare of the encamp- 
ment and place themselves round the inclosure, which secures tliem^- Denny, page 348. ' 

1 There were seven or more Aborigine village? riear .tjie^three rivers within a few miles, at the time 
of General Harmar's visit, or later, approxipi^tely as follows; Two of the Miamis. the principal one 
situate on tlie east bank of the St. Joseph River at. its rnouth. and the other of thirty cabins was on the 
west bank a tittle above. The Delawares h^d. ivvo'tuwns of forty cabins about three miles above the 
mouth of the River St. Mary. The.Poltawotamis had.one tpwn of thirty cabins on the east bank of the 
St. Joseph about three miles abpye its mouth ; and tne Shawnees had two towns three miles below the 
head of the Maumee. one o« the north bank called- t^hillicothe having fifty-eight cabins, and one on 
the south bank with sixteen cabins. See Map*ante.c§ee 97. 



164 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

horsemen discovered, pursued, and killed an Aborigine on horseback. Before this party 
returned to the columns, a second Aborigine was discovered, when the four field officers 
left their commands and pursued the Aborigine — leaving the troops for the space of 
about half an h9ur without any directions whatever. The flight of the second Aborigine 
was intercepted by the light horsemen, who despatched him after he had wounded one 
of their party. Colonel Trotter then changed the route of his detachment and marched 
in various directions until night, when he returned to the camp at the Miami village.* 
The return of Colonel Trotter to camp, on the evening of the 18th, was unexpected 
by General Harmar, and did not receive his approbation. Colonel Hardin asked for the 
command of the same detachment for the remaining two days [first allotted Trotter] 
and his request was granted. On the morning of the 19th the detachment under com- 
mand of Colonel Hardin marched a northwest course on the Aborigine patht which led 
towards the Kickapoo towns ; and after passing a morass about five miles distant from the 
Miami village, the troops came to a place where, on the preceding day, a party of Abo- 
rigines had encamped. At. this spot the detachment made a short halt, and the com- 
manding officer stationed the companies at points several rods apart. After the lapse of 
about half an hour the companies in front were ordered to move on ; and Captain Faulk- 
ner's company was left on the ground, the Colonel having neglected to give him orders to 
march. The troops moved forward about three miles, when they discoverd two Aborigi- 
nes on foot, who threw off their packs and. the brush being thick, made their escape. 
About this time Colonel Hardin despatched Major Fontaine with part of the cavalry in 
search of Captain Faulkner, supposing him to be lost ; and soon afterwards Captain 
Armstrong, who commanded the regulars, informed Colonel Hardin that a gun had been 
fired in front which might be considered as an alarm gun. and that he had seen the 
tracks of a horse that had come down the road and returned. The Colonel, however, 
moved on without giving any orders or making any arrangements for an attack ; and 
when Captain Armstrong discovered the fires of the Aborigines at a distance, and 
informed Colonel Hardin of the circumstance that officer, saying that the Aborigines 
would not fight, rode in front of the advanced columns until the detachment was fired on 
from behind the fires. The militia, with the exception of nine who remained with the 
regulars and were killed, immediately gave way and commenced an irregular retreat, 
which they continued until they reached the main army.J Hardin, who retreated with 
them, made several ineffectual attempts to rally them. The small band of regulars, 
obstinately brave, maintained their ground until twenty-two [of the thirty] were killed, 
when Captain Armstrong. Ensign Hartshorne, and five or six privates, escaped from the 
carnage, eluded the pursuit of the .aborigines, and arrived at the camp of General 
Harmar. The number of Aborigines who were engaged on this occasion cannot be 
ascertained.il They were led by a distinguished Miami chief whose name was Mish-e- 



* The 18th October General Harmar issued a general order prohibiting the straggling of soldiers 
from the camp which had been extreme: also for an equal distribution of the ' plunder.' 

t I saw that the men moved off with great reluctance, and am satisfied that when three miles from 
camp he had not more than two-thirds of his command ; they dropped out of the ranks and returned to 
camp. . . — Denny's M/V/tary Jour/ia/, page 349. 

t Of the militia forty are missing, but it is well known that very few of these were forward in the 
tight. The conjecture is that most of them ran back from the rear and have pushed for the Ohio River. 
. . Last night Captains M'Clure and M'Qu'ircy of the militia took a notion to trap some of the Abori- 
gines who were suspected of lurking about after night to carry off straggling horses. A short distance 
outside the sentries they close hoppled a horse with a bell on, and took their station in a hazel thicket but 
a few yards off. It was not long until an Aborigine stalked up and seized the horse. The captains rushed 
upon him, cut off his head and brought it into camp, and claimed at least the price of a wolf's scalp. . . 
— Denny's Militiary Journal, page 350. 

II Captain Armstrong, under oath at the court of investigation, estimated the number at one hundred 
warriors. Colonel Hardin in a deposition which he made in 1791 estimated the number at about one 



SUCCESSES AND DEFEATS OF HARMAR'S ARMY. 165 

ken-o-quoh. which signifies ihe Little Turtle. The ground on which the action look 
place, lies about eleven miles from Tort Wayne, and near the point at which the Goshen 
State road crosses Eel Kiver. 

On the morning of the l!)th the main body of the army under Harmar, having 
destroyed the Miami village, moved about two miles [down the north side of the 
Maumee] to a Shawnee village which was called Chillicothe, where was published the 
following orders: 

Camp at Chillicothe, one of the Shawnee towns, on iheOniee (Mauineel Kiver, October 20th, 1790. 

The parly under command of Captain Stronii is ordered to burn and destroy every house and wik- 
wam in this villaire, tOKetlier witlj all llie corn, A:c. which he can collect. A party of one hundred men 
(niililia) properly othcered, under the command of Colonel Hardin is to burn and destroy effectually, this 
afternoon, the Pickaway town lof the Delawares by the River St. Mary! with all the corn. &c. which 
he can tind i[i it and its vicinity. 

The cause of the detachment beint; worsted yesterday was entirely owine to the shameful cowardly 
conduct of the militia who ran away and threw down their arms, %vi[hout liriny scarcely a yun. In leturn- 
in^ to Fort Washington if any ofhcer or ntan shall presume to quit the ranks, or not to march in the form 
that they are ordered, the tieneral will most assuredly order the artillery to fire on them. He hopes the 
check they received yesterday will make them in future obedient to orders. 

JosiAH Hakmak, IJriu. General. 

At ten o'clock, A. M., on the '.ilst the army moved from the ruins of the Chilli- 
cothe village, marched about seven miles on the route to Fort Washington, and en- 
camped.* The night being very clear. Colonel Hardin informed General Harmar that 
he thought it would be a good opportunity to steal a march on the Aborigines, as he had 
reason to believe that they had returned to the towns as soon as the army left them. 
Harmar did not seem willing to send a party back ; but Hardin urged the matter, inform- 
ing the General that, as he had been unfortunate the other day, he wished to have it in 
his power to pick the militia and try it again ; and at the same time endeavored to 
account for the men's not fighting ; and desired an opportunity to retrieve the credit of 
the militia [deposition of Colonel John Hardin 14th September, 1701]. In order to 
satisfy the request of Hardin, and to give the Aborigines a check and thus prevent their 
harassing the army on its return to Fort Washington, General Harmar determined to 
send back a detachment of four hundred men. Accordingly, late in the night of the 21st 
a corps of three hundred and forty militia, and sixty regular troops under the command 
of Major Wyllys, were detached, that they might gain the vicinity of the Miami Village 
before day-l)reak and surprise any .Aborigines who might be found there. The detach- 
ment marched in three columns. The regular troops were in the center, at the head of 
which Captain Joseph .Ashtont was posted, with Major Wyllys and Colonel Hardin in 
his front. The militia formed the columns to the right and left [see map ante page !)?]. 
Owing to some delay occasioned by the halting of the militia, the detachment did not 
reach the bank of the Maumee till some time after sunrise. The spies then discovered 
some Aborigines and reported to Major Wyllys who halted the regular troops, and moved 
the militia on some distance in front where he gave his orders and plan of attack to the 
several commanding officers of corps. Major Wyllys reserved to himself the command 
of the regular troops. Major Hall with his battalion was directed to take a circuitous 
route around the bend of the Omee [Maumee] River, cross the Pickaway fork [the 
River St. Mary] and there, in the rear of the Aborigines, wait until the attack should be 



hundred and lifty men. Some writers, on questionable authority, have given the number at seven hun- 
dred. Captain Armstrong wrote that ' many of the Aborigines must have been killed, as I saw my men 
bayonet many of them. They fought and died hard.' 

* The army having burned five villages, besides the capitol town, and consumed and destroyed 
twenty thousand bushels of corn in ears, took up their line of march back to Fort Washington and en" 
camped eiyht miles from the ruins — Denny. 

t Captain Asheton's testimony before the Court of Inquiry. See Am. State Papers vol xii, page 28. 



166 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

brought on by Major M'Mullen's battalion. Major Fontaine's cavalry, and the regular 
troops under Major Wyllys, who were all ordered to cross the Omee [Maumee] at and 
near the common fording place. After the attack commenced the troops were by no 
means to separate, but were to embody, or the battalions to support each other as 
circumstances required. From this disposition it appeared evident that it was the inten- 
tion of Hardin and Wyllys to surround the Aborigine encampment ; but Major Hall, who 
had gained his position undiscovered, disobeyed his orders by firing at a single Aborigine 
before the commencement of the action. Several small parties of Aborigines were soon 
seen running in different directions, and the militia under M'Mullen and the cavalry 
under Fontaine pursued them in disobedience to orders, and left Major Wyllys unsup- 
ported. The consequence was that the regulars, after crossing the Maumee, were 
attacked by a superior force of Aborigines and compelled to retreat with the loss of 
Major Wyllys and the greater part of their corps. Major Fontaine, at the head of the 
mounted militia, fell, with a number of his followers, in making a charge against a small 
party of Aborigines; and on his fall the remainder of his troops dispersed, leaving the 
federal troops unsupported to become an easy sacrifice to much the largest party of 
savages that had been seen that day. While the main body of the Aborigines, led by 
the Little Turtle, were engaged with the regulars near the banks of the Maumee, some 
skirmishing took place near the confluence of the rivers St. Mary and St. Joseph between 
detached parties of Aborigines and the militia under Hall and M'Mullen. After the 
defeat of the regulars, however, the militia retreated on the route to the main army ; and 
the Aborigines having suffered a severe loss, did not pursue them.* 

About eleven o'clock A. M. a single horseman reached the camp of Harmar with 
[very imperfect] news of the defeat of the detachment. The General immediately 
ordered Major Ray to march with his battalion to the assistance of the retreating 
parties; but so great was the panic which prevailed among the militia that only thirty 
men could be induced to leave the main army. With this small number Major Ray 
proceeded a short distance towards the scene of action, when he met Colonel Hardin on 
his retreat. On reaching the encampment of Harmar. Colonel Hardin requested the 
General to march back to the Miami village with the whole army ; but Harmar said to 
him, 'you see the situation of the army ; we are now scarcely able to move our baggage ; 
it would take up three days to go, and return to this place ; we have no more forage for 
our horses; the Aborigines have got a very good scourging; and I will keep the army in 
perfect readiness to receive them if they think proper to follow.' t The General at this 
time had lost all confidence in the militia. The bounds of the camp were made less and, 



* It was my opinion that the misfortunes of that day were owing to the separation of the troops, and 
disobeyance of orders. After the federal troops were defeated, and the iirinc in all quarters nearly 
ceased. Majors Hall and M'Mullen with their battalions met in the [site of the] town and, after dis- 
charging, cleaning and fresh loading their arms, which took up about half an hour, proceeded to join the 
army unmolested. 1 am convinced that the detachment, if it had been embodied, was sufficient to have 
answered the fullest expectations of the General. . . — Testimony of Captain Joseph Ashton, Am. 
State Papers vol. xii, page 28. 

The wings commanded by Majors Hall and M'Millen came upon a few Aborigines immediately 
after crossing the Omee [ Maumee ] put them to flight and, contrary to orders, pursued up the St. Joseph 
for several miles. The center division, composed chiefly of the regular troops, were left unsupported. 
It would seem as if the enemy designed to draw the principal part of Ihe force after a few of their people, 
while their main body attacked Major Wyllys. TJie center division sustained a very unequal fight for 
some time. They were obliged at length to give way. The few that escaped fled in the direction that 
the militia had gone, and met them returning from the pursuit of the scattering Aborigines. The enemy 
followed and were met by the militia several miles up the St. Josepli; this narrow river was between the 
parties; a smart tire commenced and was kept up. The Aborigines attempted to force their way across 
but were repulsed, and at length withdrew. Our parties collected their wounded, and returned slowly 
to camp— Denny's Military Journal pages 351, 352. 

t Deposition of Colonel John Hardin September 14. 1791 American State Papers. 



CAUSES OF HAR MAR'S DEFEATS. THE SAVAGES. 161 

at eiKht o'clock on the morning of the 2'ircl October, the army took up the line of march 
for I'ort Washington and reached that place on the 1th of November, having lost in the 
expedition one hundred and eighty-three killed, and thirty-one wounded.* Among the 
killed were Major Wyllys and Lieutenant Ebenezer Frothingham of the regular troops; 
and Major I'ontaine, C'aptains Thorp, M'Murtrey and Scott, Lieutenants Clark and 
Rogers, and Ensigns Bridges, Sweet, Higgins and Thielkeld. of the militia. The Abo- 
rigines, whose loss was about equal to that of ours, did not annoy the army after the 
action of the 22nd of October. 

The causes of the serious disasters atti luliu^; Geiural Ilarmar' ex- 
pedition to the head ol the Maumee, in addition to those stated above 
were thi- alhued incompetency of some officers, insufficient discipline of 
thi militia, and the bickerings among some of their officers, causing 
distrust, disorder and panic at the first attack of the enemy. General 
Harmar, annoyed by adverse criticism of his conduct of this expedition, 
asked President Washington 'iHth March, ITitl, for a board of officers 
to act as a Court of Inquiry. This request was granted and, after con- 
sidering the evidence, he was ac(|uitted. Nothing was said about his 
failuri' to build the forts that had been thought desirable at first. Some 
of the officials, however, had objections to the suggested forts in the 
wildirncss, such as the cost of their maintenance from garrisons and 
sui)plies gind their narrow influence. Hut General Harmar's command 
was prepared for such work, and not prepared for aggressive war as 
the sequel proved. Had he built a strong fort at the head of the Mau- 
mee immediately upon his arrival there, and garnered, instead of burn- 
ing, the extensive products of the fields and, on his return, left a chain 
of such forts, they would have been rallying points for soldiers to keep 
the savages in check ; for the commissioners of peace to tluse savages, 
and for those of the savages who would gradually, one l)y one and tribe 
by tribe, have bi-en won to peace. The moral as well as physical 
effects of such forts were demonstrated by General Wayne, as is shown 
in a later chapter. General Harmer resigned his commission the follow- 
ing January, was made .Adjutant General of Pennsylvania in 1793, and 
rendered good service in furnishing troops for General Wayne's cam- 
paign along the Maumee in 1794. t 

The savages reported their loss as only fifteen to twenty. + They were 
greatly elated at their success in defeating General Harmar's arm}-. 
Like the Ancient Romans who returned home to celebrate their great 
victories in triumphal processions, these savages went to Detroit the 



* The whole number of tlie kiUt-ii and missing of ihe army amounts to one hundred and eijjlity- 
three, but it is verily believed tliat a number of the militia who are missing have deserted, and are on 
their way to Kentucky — Denny's Military Journal page ;Ji>4. 

t General Harmar was addicted to the use of intoxicating beverages like many others of his 
time. See letter of General Knox of September 3, ITSK), lo him remonstrating against this practice in 
Knox Papers in Library of the New England Historic and Genealogical Society. Boston, vol. xxiii, 
page 189. 

\ This report was probably of only one tribe or s<iuad. Savages did not aggregate their losses. 



168 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

headquarters of their masters and allies the British, where they daily 
paraded the streets uttering their demoniac scalp-yells while bearing 
long poles strung with the scalps of the many American soldiers they 
had killed.* Additional savage war-parties were started for the frontier 
settlements. The British, also, were elated at the success of the savages, 
exhibiting their pleasure by words condemnatory of the American policy, 
and by their continued acts in supplying the savages for further atrocities. 

It must be admitted that the conduct of the Americans coming in 
contact with the savages from the beginning in governmental, soldiery, 
and pioneer settler relations, had not always exhibited that thought- 
fulness, dignity and unity of action that commands the full respect, 
particularly of those at a distance ; and much of their later conduct, for 
two years at least, was open to severe criticism. But the extenuating 
circumstances, individual and general, were many and great, and such 
as not to be fully appreciated by persons foreign to them.t 

The anxiety, always present with the frontier settlers, now increas- 
ed to a panic. The officers, local and general, whose duty it was to 
guard and yjrotect the legitimate settlers, had often been remiss in their 
duties. While their physical resources were narrow, they had been 
wanting in that broad comprehension of requirements that would have 
begotten from the first more of a union of effort and strength of re- 
sistance to the treacherous savages while accumulating means for that 
complete subjection of them that was necessary. Now they became 
even more disconcerted than before and their spasmodic efforts to pro- 
tect the settlements with soldiers — to send embassies to placate the 
savages at this inopportune time, while gathering an army, meantime, 
sufficient to overcome them and build forts throughout the forests, 
which forests the savages had been taught by the French and British 
never to give up, and in which determination they were yet being sus- 
tained by the British — all were again pointed to by the British and 
savages as evidences of American insincerity and duplicity. Such was 
the fruit of the long-continued pacific policy of the American officials, 
if any policy could be said to have existed. Their efforts had only 
occasionally been awakened, with mere temporizing effect on the 
enemies, to react unfavorably upon the settlements. 

The Legislature of Virginia 20th December, 1790, authorized 
Governor Beverly Randolph to provide for the enlistment of several 
companies of rangers before the first of March for the protection of the 
frontier: and Charles Scott was appointed Brigadier General of Ken- 



* Compare Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections, and Farmer's His. of Detroit. 

t For many details regardint: the different questions and annoyances of these troublous times, the 
inquirer is referred to the American State Papers, %'olumes relating to Aborigine, and Military Aftairs; 
also to the many MSS. that have already been referred to. 



AMERICANS RALLY AGAINST THE SAVAGES. 169 

turk\ militia. Early in January, 1791, Congress namt-d General Scott, 
Henr\ Inncss, John Jirown, Benjamin Lo^an, and Isaac Shelby a local 
Hoard of War (or the District of Kentucky, with discretionary powers. 
The third of March Congress also jirovided another regiment of 
Federal Troops, and for raising two thousand militia for six months, 
for the further protection of the frontiers: and President Washington 
immediatel\ ai)pointed Governor Arthur St. Clair Commander in Chief 
of this Arm\- of the Northwest. Colonel Thomas Proctor was sent 
l"2th March, 1791, to the Senecas in New York to gather an emliassy 
from them to the western tribes, but th<' P.ritish at Niagara would not 
permit a boat to take them across Lake Erie in the American interest: 
and through the British and Colonel Brant false reports were circulated 
— that the United States were endeavoring to involve the Six Nations 
in war with the western savages. Further illustration of the continued 
British iKilicy to dominate all the savages is given in the communica- 
tions of their orticers to the savages, and tin- savages deferring to their 
request that all questions of moment should be referred to the British. 
Radical operations against the savage retreats apjiearing necessarv, 
and the result of Colonel Proctor's mission for intercession of the Six 
Nations for peace having been awaited as long as practicable, General 
Scott crossed the Ohio River "JHrd May, 1791, at the mouth of the Ken- 
tucky with eight lumdred cavalry, and started for the historic Ouiotenon 
on the Wabash River near tht- present City of Lafayetti'. Rain fell in 
torrents with much high wind, but he arrived at Ouiotenon the first of 
June after an estimated march of one hundred and sixt\- miles across 
the forested country with only trails for road. The last of the savages 
were just leaving the proximal town when General, now acting as Lieu- 
tenant Colonel-Commander, James Wilkinson jiressed forward with tlie 
First Battalion and destroyed all the savages with which five canoes 
were crowded.' There was a Kickapoo town on the north bank of the 
river from which a brisk tiring was directed at the troops. The river 
was high and soldiers were sent above and below to effect a crossing, 
which was done by some swimming, and the savages were dislodged. 
Meantime Colontl Hardin's command had discovered a stronger village 
to the left which was surprised and six savages were killed and fifty-two 
taken prisoners. The next evening General Wilkinson started with three 
hundred and sixty men on foot, and early the next morning assailed and 
destroyed the imiiortant town of Kethtipecanunk at the mouth of Eel 
River eighteen miles above Ouiotenon, returning from this thirty-six 
miles walk and work in twehe hours. All the villages and supplies 
were destroyed. General Scott reported that " Many of the inhabitants 
of this village [Ouiotenon] were French and lived in a state of civiliza- 
tion. By the books, letters, and other documents foiuid here it is evi- 



170 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

dt-nt that the place was in close connection with and dependent on 
Detroit. A large quantity of corn, a variety of household goods, peltry, 
and other articles were burned with this village which consisted of about 
seventy houses, many of them well finished."* The 4th June General 
Scott discharged sixteen of his jirisoners who were less able to with- 
stand the march, giving to their care a well-worded letter, addressed 
to all the tribes of savages along the Wabash, requesting peace and in- 
forming where his retained prisoners could be found. The severe rains 
and the swollen condition of the streams, with his forced marches through 
the trackless forest had disabled his horses and, his supplies being de- 
pleted, he reluctantly directed the march southward instead of to the 
Maumee, and arrived at the Rapids of the Ohio River 14th June. He 
reported no death in his command and only five wounded, while of the 
savages thirty-two were killed and fifty-eight taken prisoners, of which 
the forty-one not liberated were given to the care of Captain Asheton 
of the First United States Regiment at Fort Steuben, on the site of the 
present Jeffersonville, Indiana. His troops did not take any scalps. 

General St. Clair recommended another expedition to the Eel River 
to weaken those tribes which would join the Miamis against his army then 
forming for the purpose of laying waste the strongholds, and establish- 
ing a series of forts in the Maumee country. Acordingly Colonel Wil- 
kinson with five hundred and twenty-five cavalry started from the vi- 
cinity of Fort Washington (site of the present Cincinnati ) northward 
'feinting boldly at the Miami villages' and then turning northwestward 
to the Wabash near the mouth of Eel River. The evening of the 
sixth day out he captured the savages' most important town known by 
the French name L'Anguille — the Eel. This expedition then ranged 
near the Wabash, passed through Ouiotenon, thence along General 
Scott's route, and arrived at the Rapids of the Ohio 21st August, having 
traveled four hundred and fifty miles, destroyed several villages and 
over four hundred acres of corn 'chiefly in the milk' stage of growth; 
captured thirty-four or more savage prisoners and killed ten or more 
others. One American prisoner was released. Two soldiers were killed 
and one wounded. Colonel Wilkinson also left behind some infirm 
Aborigines unharmed, to whom he gave a letter addressed to the dif- 
ferent tribes urging them to accept the favorable terms of peace that 
were offered them. These letters were taken to the British who gave 
their own desired renderings of them to the Aborigines. 

General Harmar predicted defeat for General St. Clair's army 
which was being gathered with great difficulties to operate along the 
Maumee River. t This army was not ready to advance until 17th Sep- 



'■' American State Papers. Aborigine Affairs volume i, paye 129. 

t Denny's Military Journal paye 357. American State Papers, Aborigine Affairs volume i, page 118. 



SAVAGES ATTACK GENERAL ST.CLAIR'S ARMY. 171 

tiiiibor, IT'.M, whin about twfnty-three hundred soldiers, mostly regu- 
hii s, moved from tlu' vicinitv of Fort Washington and built Fort Hamilton 
on ihi west bank ol the Miami iiiver at the site of the present City of. 
I lainilton, ( )l)ii). .\L;ain advancing under command of General St. Clair, 
they began to build F'ort Jefferson, six miles south of the present Green- 
ville, the 12th of October. Twelve days later themarch again began, but 
the jirogress was ver\ slow. The evening of the 3rd of November the 
army encamped bv the Wabash River about one mile and a half east of 
the present Ohio-Indiana State line. During the night there were many 
savages near the pickets, and much firing of guns by the pickets. About 
ten o'clock at night General Butler, who commanded the right wing, 
was desired to send out an intelligent ofilicer with detachment of soldiers 
to niaki- discoveries. He chose Captain Slough, two subalterns and 
thirty men for this purpose, but nothing alarming was discovered. 

Early the next morning the army, then numbering about fourtiiii 
hundred regular and militia soldiers, and eighty-six ofhct-rs, was furi- 
ously assailed by about the same number of savages, and it went down 
to the most disastrous defeat ever suffered by such large numbers from 
such foe. General St. Clair's Adjutant h-lunezer Denny thus de- 
scribes the scene:* 

The troops paraded this morning [ttli November. 1 liU] at tht; usual time, and liad 
been dismissed from the lines but a few minutes, the sun not yet up, when the woods in 
front rung with the yells and fire of the savages. The poor militia, who were but three 
hundred yards in front, had scarcely time to return a shot — they fled into our camp. 
The troops were under arms in an instant, and a smart fire from the front line met the 
enemy. It was but a few minutes, however, until the men were engaged in every 
quarter. The enemy from the front filed off to the right and left, and completely sur- 
rounded the camp, killed and cut oft nearly all the guards, and approached close to the 
lines. They advanced from one tree, log, or stump to another, under cover of the smoke 
of our fire. The [our] artillery and musketry made a tremendous noise [huddled 
together as they were] but did little execution. The Aborigines seemed to brave every- 
thing, and when fairly fixed around us they made no noise other than their fire [guns] 
which they kept up very constant and which seldom failed to tell, although scarcely 
heard. 

Our left tfank, probably from the nature of the ground, gave way first : the enemy 
got possession of that part of the encampment but, it being pretty clear ground, they 
were too much exposed and were soon repulsed. I was at this time with the General 
[St. Clair] engaged toward the right ; he was on foot [he had been sick some days] and 
led the party himself that drove the enemy and regained our ground on the left. The 
battalions in the rear charged several times and forced the savages from their shelter, 
but they always turned with the battalions and fired upon their back; indeed they Seemed 
not to fear anything we could do. They could skip out of reach of the bayonet and 
return, as they pleased. They were visible only when raised by a charge. 

The ground was literally covered with the dead. The wounded were taken to the 
center, where it was thought most safe, and where a great many who h.id quit their 



' Denny's Military Journal, pawe 1169, er seq. See, also, American Pioneer, volume ii, pa^e I,W. 



772 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

posts unhurt had crowded together. The General, with other officers, endeavored to 
rally these men, and twice they were taken out to the lines. It appeared as if the officers 
had been singled out; a very great proportion fell, or were wounded and obliged to 
retire from the lines early in the action. [Major] General [Richard] Butler was among 
the latter, as well as several other of the most experienced officers. The men, being 
thus left with few officers, became fearful, despaired of success, gave up the fight, and 
to save themselves for the moment, abandoned entirely their duty and ground, and 
crowded in toward the center of the field, and no exertions could put them in any order 
even for defense ; [they became] perfectly ungovernable. The enemy at length got 
possession of the artillery, though not until the officers were all killed but one and he 
badly wounded, and the men [gunners] almost all cut oft, and not until the pieces were 
spiked. 

As our lines were deserted the Aborigines contracted theirs until their shot centered 
from all points, and now meeting with little opposition, took more deliberate aim and did 
great execution. Exposed to a cross fire, men and officers were seen falling in every 
direction ; the distress, too, of the wounded made the scene such as can scarcely be con- 
ceived — a few minutes longer, and a retreat would have been impossible — the only hope 
left was, that perhaps the savages would be so taken up with the camp as not to follow. 
Delay was death ; no preparation could be made : numbers of brave men must be left a 
sacrifice, there was no alternative. It was past nine o'clock when repeated orders were 
given to charge toward the road. The action had continued between two and three 
hours. Both officers and men seemed confounded, incapable of doing anything ; they 
could not move until it was told that a retreat was intended. A few officers put them- 
selves in front, the men followed, the enemy gave way, and perhaps not being aware of 
the design, we were for a few minutes left undisturbed. The stoutest and most active 
now took the lead, and those who were foremost in breaking the enemy's line were soon 
left behind. 

At the moment of the retreat one of the few horses saved had been procured for the 
General ; he was on foot until then ; I kept by him. and he delayed to see the rear. The 
enemy soon discovered the movement and pursued, though not more than four or five 
miles, and but few so far; they turned to share the spoil. Soon after the firing ceased I 
was directed to endeavor to gain the front and, if possible, to cause a short halt that the 
rear might get up. I had been on horseback from the first alarm, and well mounted ; 
[and now] pushed forward, but met with so many difficulties and interruptions from the 
people that I was two hours at least laboring to reach the front. With the assistance of 
two or three officers I caused a short halt ; but the men grew impatient and would move 
on. I got Lieutenants Sedam and Morgan, with half a dozen stout men, to fill up the 
road and to move .slowly ; I halted myself until the General came up. By this time the 
remains of the army had got somewhat compact, but in the most miserable and defense- 
less state. The wounded who came off left their arms in the field, and one half of the 
others threw theirs away on the retreat. The road for miles was covered with firelocks 
[flintlock guns] cartridge boxes and regimentals. How fortunate that the pursuit was 
discontinued ; a single Aborigine might have followed with safety upon either flank. 
Such a panic had seized the men that I believe it would not have been possible to have 
brought any of them to engage again. 

In the afternoon Lieutenant Kersey with a detachment of the first regiment met us. 
This regiment, the only complete and best disciplined portion of the army, had been 
ordered back upon the road on the 31st October. They were thirty miles from the battle 
ground when they heard distinctly the firing of the cannon, were hastening forward and 
had marched about nine miles when met by some of the militia who informed Major 
Hamtramck, the commanding officer, that the army was totally destroyed. The Major 



CRUSHING DEFEAT OF GENERAL ST. CLAIR' S ARMY. 175 

judged it best to send on a siibaltern to obtain some knowledge of things, and to return 
himself with the regiment to Fort Jefferson eight miles back, and to secure at all events 
that post. He had made some arrangements, and as we arrived in the evening, found 
him preparing again to meet us. Stragglers continued to come in for hours after we 
reached the fort. 

The remnant of the army, with the first regiment, were now at Fort Jefferson, 
twenty-nine miles from the field of action, without provisions, and the former without 
having eaten anything for twenty-four hours. A convoy was known to be upon the road, 
and within a day's march. The General determined to move with the F'irst Regiment 
and all the levies [militia] able to march. Those of the wounded and others unable to 
go on were lodged as comfortably as possible within the fort. Accordingly we set out a 
little after ten and continued our route until within an hour of daylight, then halted and 
waited for day and until the rear came up. Moved on again about nine o'clock ; the 
morning of the iiih we met the convoy ; stopped a sufficiency to subsist us to Fort Hamil- 
ton ; sent the remainder on to Jefferson under an additional escort of a captain and si.\ty 
men; proceeded, and at the first water halted, partly cooked and eat for the first time 
since the night preceding the action. .\t one o'clock mo\'ed on, and continued our route 
until nine at night when we halted and made fires within fifteen miles of Fort Hamil- 
ton. Marched again just before day. the General soon after rode on to the fort. 
Troops reached [there] in the afternoon. 

November 7, 17!tl. Fort Hamilton command was ordered off with a small supply 
for the wounded, &c. About twelve same day continued our march, and halted before 
night within fifteen miles of Fort Washington, which place we reached the afternoon of 
the .Sth. 

The prediction of [defeat by] General Harmar before the army set out on the 
campaign was founded upon his experience and particular knowledge of things. He 
saw with what material the bulk of the army was composed; men collected from the 
streets and prisons of the cities, hurried out into the enemy's country, and with the 
officers commanding them totally unacquainted with the business in which they were 
engaged, it was utterly impossible they could be otherwise [than defeated] . Besides, 
not any one department was sufficiently prepared ; both quarter-master and the con- 
tractors extremely deficient. It was a matter of astonishment to him [General Harmar] 
that the commanding general [St. Clair] who was acknowledged to be perfectly compe- 
tent, should think of hazarding with such people and under such circumstances, his 
reputation and life, and the lives of so many others, knowing too, as both did, the 
enemy with whom he was going to contend ; an enemy brought up from infancy to war, 
and perhaps superior to an equal number of the best men that could be taken against 
them. It is a truth. I had hopes that the noise and show which the army made on their 
march might possibly deter the enemy from attempting a serious and general attack. 
It was unfortunate that both the general officers were, and had been, disabled by sick- 
ness ; in such situation it is possible that some essential matters might be overlooked. 
The Adjutant-General Colonel Winthrop Sargent, an old Revolutionary officer, was. 
however, constantly on the alert ; he took upon himself the burden of everything, and a 
very serious and troublesome task he had. But one most important object was wanting, 
can't say neglected, but more might have been done toward obtaining it; this was a 
knowledge of the collected force and situation of the enemy: of this we were perfectly 
ignorant. Some few scouts out but to no great distance.* 



* See also. Lieutenant Colonel William Darke's letter to President Washington describinc thi^ 
defeat; in the Henry Knox ; Secretary of War ' Papers vol. xxx. page 12. Library of the New England 
Historic Genealogical Society. Boston. And Benjamin Van Cleve's Memoranda in The American 
Pioneer volume ii. 1843, page 150 et seq. 



174 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

In this overwhf Imint; defeat General St. Clair's arm\- lost five hun- 
dred and ninet\-three i)rivates killed and missing. Thirty-nine officers 
were killed, including Major General Richard Butler, one Lieutenant 
Colonel, three Majors, twelve Captains, ten Lieutenants, eight Ensigns, 
two Ouartennasters, one Adjutant, and Surgeon Grasson. Thirty-one 
officers and two hundred and fifty-two privates were wounded. The 
artillery and all supplies including clothing, two hundred tents, three 
hundred horses, one hundred and thirty beef cattle and food in the 
wagons, with muskets and other equipment thrown away by many 
stricken soldiers, all valued at S32,810.75, were left to be gathered by 
the highly elated savages who took to their lodges by the Maumee and 
Auglaise Rivers all that could be readily transported.* 

On account of necessary delays, the cold weather and bad roads, 
it required si-\ weeks for St. Clair's Aide, Lieutenant Denny, to con- 
vey on horseback the news of this crushing defeat to the office of Sec- 
retary Knox in Philadelphia. t General St. Clair requested the ap- 
pointment of a Court of Inquiry. This was done by the War Depart- 
ment, and the Court exonerated him. He resigned his commission 
March 5, 1792. The principal causes of the failure of the campaign 
were, 1st. The deficient number of good troops, according to the ex- 
pectation in the early part of the year. 2nd. Their want of sufficient 
discipline, according to the nature of the service. 3rd. The lateness 
of the season. J The wet and cold condition of the weather which 
covered the country with thin ice and snow, certainly added much to 
the inefficiency of the volunteers who were unused to such campaign- 
ing, and added greatly to their sufferings in defeat. But such con- 
dition cannot be urged to account for the incompetency of the com- 
manders. Nor should the illness of General St. Clair be an excuse for 
the laxity in the fortifying and reconnoitering by his subordinates. 
There were other unwise features of this campaign beside undisciplined 
men and incompetent officers. The wives and women of many soldiers 
were with the army. They were favored as much as practicable, 
but many of them were killed by the savages. II 



* A Delaware Aborigine named Whinnwy Pooshies. of prominence in his tribe, took from this 
battlefield to his cabin by the Anclaise River near its mouth, two good horses, four tents — one a good 
markee (marquee) in which his family lived for several years — a great quantity of clothing from the 
dead soldiers and their wives; also axes, guns, and everything necessary to make an Aborigine rich. 
' There was much joy among them ' — From the Narrative of John Brickell who was then a captive living 
with this family, in The American Pioneer volume i, page 50. 

t For accounts of the reception by the President of the account of St. Clair's Defeat, see George 
W. P. Custis' Personal Recollections of Washington : Henry C. Lodge's Life of Washington, etc. 

+ Statement of Henry Knox Secretary of War, Am. State Papers Aborigine Affairs vol. i, page 98. 

11 Caleb Atwater writes in his History of the State of Ohio, 1838, page 142, that there were in this 
army at the commencement of the action about two hundred and fifty women of whom fifty-six were 
killed in the battle. But few escaped death and captivity. 



REMAINS OF THE VICTIMS OF ST. CLAIR'S DEFEAT. 175 

r>in.r;d Wilkinson visittd this hattk-fitld about thf last of Janii- 
ai\, 171I"J, with oiu- liunclnd and fifty volunteer cavalrymen some of 
whom wire frost l)ill<n mi the way from Fort Jefferson. Wluii within 
four miles of tile battle field tluy found scattered alonsi the way the 
remains of Americans who had been pursued and killed or who had 
died of their wounds while endeavoring to escape'. The field was 
thickly strewn with remnants showing horrible mutilations by the 
savages. Sand and clay were found packed into the eyes and throats, 
doni' ]>robablv while the wouiuK-d were yet alive; limbs were seiKirated 
from bodies; and stakes the sizi' of arms wore found driven throunh 
the bodies of women. The flesh had been stripped from many bones, 
but the relative part done bv the savage canniiials and the wolves 
could not l)e determined. The latter were yet at work. As many of 
these remains as jiracticalile on account of the cold and snow, were 
gathered and l)urii-d in a shallow trench'*' du^ into the frozen ^I'lU'id 
with difficulty by the benumbed soldiers. Three whole cannon car- 
riages were found and removed to Fort Jefferson: the other five were 
in damaged condition. .\ll thi' cannon were missing. 



* General Wayne's army cathereil and buried all bones Ibat could be found at tliis batlle held 
Cbristmas week, 179;j, previous to the buildini: of Kort Recovery. Six hundred skulls were counted. 
American Pioneer. IW2. volume i, page 294. 




Pistol found in the Maumee River, at the mouth of the .^uplaise off Fort Defiance Park, in low 
water of the summer of 1895. Without mark to indicate date or place of its manufacture. Leniith nine 
inches. Rifled bore. Cocked and ready for firiui;. In the Author's collection. 



176 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Continued Efforts to Placatf, the Aborigines Prove Futile — 

General Wayne's Successful Campaign Against Them. 

1792 TO 1794. 

The savages did not want peace with the Americans previous to 
their defeat of General Harmar's army; much less would they comply 
with the proclamation of Governor St. Clair or respond to various 
other overtures made to them for peace after that disaster. They rallied 
all the available warriors of the different tribes nearby — the Miamis 
under Chief Little Turtle, the Delawares under Buckongehelas, the 
Shawnees under Blue jacket, the Ottawas, Wyandots, Pottawotamis, 
Kickapoos, and bands of lesser significance against the on-coming of 
General St. Clair, and their easv overwhelming of this the second large 
armv, commanded by the Governor — the, to them, great American 
chieftain — was to them the cause of excessive joy. This, with the 
largelv increased number of scalps and other rich spoils gathered from 
their victims were looked upon as license for a continuance of their 
raids on the settlements, and as omens of their ultimate success in 
driving the Americans from the countrj- on the plan of Pontiac in 1763. 

The American frontier settlements, with increased apprehension, 
sent more urgent petitions to the authorities for protection. Some of 
these petitions represented that not less than fifteen hundred Kentuck- 
ians — men, women and children — had been slain or carried into cap- 
tivitv bv the savages within seven years, and that the frontier settle- 
ments of Pennsylvania and Virginia had suffered nearly as much; and 
that the prospect was now more gloomy than ever as the enemy was 
more aggressive and savage. 

On the other hand, the British were becoming more apprehensive 
regarding their fur trade and the loss of their allies from the organiza- 
tion of American armies. The defeat of two armies was sure to be 
followed by another army, stronger and more destructive. The Montreal 
merchants whose lucrative traffic with these savages had lessened dur- 
ing the more active hostilities, petitioned 9th December, 1791, Colonel 
John Graves Simcoe Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada (or protec- 
tion; and suggested closer union with the savages and a continued 
holding of the forts yet occupied by the British in American territory. 

Secretary Knox 'in obedience to the command' of President Wash- 
ington, made the 26th December an interesting statement relative to 
the frontiers northwest of the Ohio River, which included this para- 
graph, viz: Hence it would appear that the principles of justice as 
well as policy and, it may be added, the principles of economy, all 



CIVIL DIVISIONS. CHOICE OF GENERAL WAYNE. 177 



combine to (li( tati thai an a(lii|ualf military force should be raised as 
soon as possible, j)lat;Ld upon the frontiers, and disciplined according; 
to the nature of the service, in order to meet with the prospect of suc- 
cess against the greatest probable combination of the Aborigine enemy.* 
Messages and overtures for peace were again sent to the various tribes, 
including tin- lr(H|uois Six Nations; and preparations for the proposed 
armv were also entered upon. 

To advance the vw']] jurisdiction as much as possible, Hamilton 
Couiitv was ( xtiiidid llth l'"ibruary,^ ITHli, by Governor St. Clair 

eastward to the Scioto River and 
northward to the territorial limits, 
thus including the eastern part 
ol this Basin although it was vet 
held by the savagi'S. 

President Washington, having 
been greatly disappointed in the 
result of the expedition of Gen- 
eral St. Clair who was a former 
member of his staff, made choice 
of the commander for the pro- 
posed campaign with great cir- 
cumspection. Generals Anthony 
Wayne, Henry Lee, Daniel Mor- 
gan, Andrew Pickens, Rufus Put- 
nam, Charles Scott, James W'il- 
kinson and Alexander M'Gilli- 
vray, were those of most prom- 
inence from whom to choose ; 

Civil Divisions existini: in tlie eastern part of tlie and AnthoUV Wavne WaS Selected 
Territoiy Northwest of tlie Olrio River in the year ^,.^j.]y j^ 171)0 Jh^. result showed 
1792. 

the wisdom of the choice not- 
withstanding the statement of General Lee that this appointment 
caused extreme disgust among all orders in the Old Dominion. 

Soon after this aiiiiointmeiit General Wayne issued a proclamation 
to acquaint the anxious frontiersmen with the efforts in progress to 
secure peace by treaty, and to request all persons to avoid all action 
that would further anger the Aborigines. The governors of Virginia 
and Pennsylvania issued similar |iroclamations. 

Major John F. Hamtranick effected treaties at Vincennes in March, 
1792, with small bands of the Wabash and Eel River tribes, and he 
also sent peace messages to those of the Maumee. Aliout fifty chiefs 




* American Stale Papers, .\boricine .•^fiairs, volume i. pace 198. 



178 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

of the Six Nations also visited Philadelphia by invitation and accepted 
the overtures for peace. 

The 7th April General Wilkinson sent two messengers, Freeman 
and Girard, with peace message to the Miamis of the Maumee ; and the 
20th May Colonel John Hardin and Major Alexander Truman started 
northward on a like mission — but not one of the four returned to tell 
of the savage treatment, and death, they suffered. 

General Putnam succeeded the 27th September in closing terms of 
peace with thirty-one Aborigines of the Wabash and Illinois tribes at 
Vincennes. Each of the parties to these peace negotiations carried 
copies of the Treaties of 1784-85-86-89, and many expressions and 
assurances by the Americans to turn the savages from their work of 
carnage ; but all availed nothing with those more directly under the 
influence of the British. The raidings by the savages continued 
unabated. 

Of the secret efforts to learn more regarding the relations between 
the British and the savages, to be the better able therefrom to appease 
the latter, but one succeeded on account of the vigilance of both the 
British and savages. William May was started from Fort Hamilton 
the IHth May, 1792, to follow on the trail of Major Truman. He was 
captured by the savages, as expected, and after escaping many dangers 
was taken along the Maumee, and sold to Matthew Elliott then British 
Assistant Agent to the Aborigines from whose service he finally escaped 
and gave sworn testimony before General Wayne at Pittsburg 11th 
October, 1792."^ This evidence detailed some items of interest, among 
which are the following : There were gathered in the summer of 1792 
by the Maumee River at the mouth of the Auglaise then the headquar- 
ters of nearbv tribes, three thousand and six hundred warriors of many 
tribes, and more were often arriving at the time of William May's 
sojourn there, all of whoin received daily rations from the British at 
Detroit. 

This was the largest council of Aborigines held in America, and it 
appeared to the British as the culmination of their hopes and efforts 
for their confederation. The Seneca Chief Cornplanter and forty-eight 
other chiefs of the Six Nations of New York were there for the Ameri- 
cans in the interest of peace; and Chief Cornplanter reported to 
General WayneT that . . . 'we cannot tell the names of the 
nations present. There were present three men from the Gora+ nations; 



■■' American State Papers, Aborigine Affairs, volume i. page 343. 

t Idem page 337. 

i Gora, or Gorah, was one of the names formerly given by the Sis Nations (Iroquois) of New 
York to Sir William Johnson and to Colonel Guy Johnson: and these Gora Aborigines were probably of 
the Iro«inois of Canada who were at this time under the control of Sir John Johnson British Super- 
intendent of Aborigines. 



GRAND COUNCIL. HOSTILITIES. PEACE EFFORTS. 179 

it took tluiii a whole season to conn' ; ami twenty-seven nations [tribes] 
from licyond Canada. The whole ol thim know that we, the Six 
Nations, have General Washington by the hand.' . . This reference 
was to their ncent visit to riiil.uli Iphi.-i li\ invitation, and the peace 
treaty there effected. Othir tribes were expected at this Grand Council 
at thi' mouth of the .\uKlais<.' River, and they came later. A like 
council was called lor tlie next \iar, 17!lo, and nuiners were sent with 
invitations to the most distant trilu-s in all directions, including,' the 
Creiks and Cherokees of the south, ur^infi their attendance. 

William Ma\-, having been a sailor, was kejH by his purchaser 
three months in the trans])ortation service on board a schooner that 
carried about one hundred and sixty barrels as a load between Detroit 
and the foot of the lowest Maumee Kajiids, where was situated the 
great supply houst- of the British Aborigine agent Alexander M'Kee, 
from whom the savages received their supplies of firearms and ammu- 
nition with which to raid and murder Americans wherever possible. 

A number of small torts were built along the frontier as bases of 
supplies and protection and jilaces of refuge for the remaining Ameri- 
can settlers. In addition to the attacks on individuals and families 
along the borders, a company of mounted Kentucky riflemen under 
Major John Adair was suddenly attacked November H, 1792, near Post 
St. Clair about twentv-ti\e miles north of Fort Hamilton, by a partv of 
savages who exhibited 'a degree of courage that l)espoke them warriors 
indved' reads the report of the Major: and six Americans were killed, 
five wounded, and four were missing. The savages also killed a num- 
ber of packhorses and captured others. Their loss of men was thought 
to be about the same as that of the Kentuckians. At this time the 
army being formed b\- General Wayne was rendezvoused twenty-two 
miles below Pittsburg for discipline, and to protect the Virginia 
frontier. 

For the purpose of continuing the efforts to secure peace with the 
savages by further treaty. President Washington the 2nd March, 179.S, 
appointed General Benjamin Lincoln of Massachusetts, Beverly Ran- 
dolph of \'irginia and Timothv Pickering of Pennsylvania, Commis- 
sioners to attend the great council to be held at the foot of the lowest 
Rapids of the Maumee, or at Sandusky the 1st of June. The 17th 
May Messrs. Randolph and Pickering arrived at Fort Niagara and 
there received a note from Lieutenant Governor and Colonel John 
Graves Simcoe to be guests at his home, Navy Hall nearly a mile from 
the fort: and thire being no other suitable place for them to sto]) the 
invitation was accepted. General Lincoln arrived 25th May. Mean- 
time a letter was received from Colonel M'Kee, British Aborigine 
.\gent, stating that the tribal councils would probabl)' not end by the 



180 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Maumee before the latter part of June, and the Commissioners would 
best remain at Niagara until he notified them that the Aborigines were 
ready to receive them. 

Colonel John Butler, a leader in the Wxoming Massacre in July, 
177H, now British Superintendent of Aborigine Affairs, and Captain 
Joseph Brant of like notoriety, with a picked company of fifty savages, 
arrived at Niagara July 5th from the htrge collection of Aborigines then 
at the British distributing house at the foot of the Maumee Rapids 
(now the Village of Maumee) and requested explanation of the unfair 
and unwarrantable' warlike preparations of General Wayne; and they 
desired to know the authority for the trespassing of the Americans 
north of the Ohio River, all of which they claimed as territory belong- 
ing to the Aborigines. The Commissioners in reply cited the several 
treaties of previous years and the subsequent maraudings of the 
savages in explanation, and expressed desire for peace: and agreement 
was made to meet in full council at Sandusky. 

The Commissioners left Niagara the 10th July and, awaiting a fav- 
orable wind, the British sloop sailed from F"ort Erie op])osite the present 
City of Buffalo the 14th, and arrived at the mouth of the Detroit River 
the 21st where they were received, and entertained during their enforced 
stay there of nearl\- four weeks, by Captain Matthew Elliott British 
Assistant Agent to the Aborigines. They frequently urged an early 
meeting of the Council at Sandusky, the place named by the British. 

The 29th July, a deputation of over twenty Aborigines arrived at 
Captain Elliott's from the grand council that had for weeks been in 
progress at the foot of the Maumee Rapids, with the notorious Simon 
Girty as interpreter. After a brief preliminary thev presented to the 
Commissioners a short written communication from the council, the 
principal sentence being that ' If you seriously design to make a firm 
and lasting peace you will immediately remove all your people from 
our side of that river' [the Ohio]. The Commissioners delivered to 
them in writing a long and carefully prepared reply in which the 
treaties of 17t3H, 1784-85-86 and 17Hy were referred to in justification of 
the advance of American immigrants into the territory north of the 
Ohio, and with reasons why it was impossible at this late date to make 
this river the boundary: that the United States Government was will- 
ing to make liberal concessions to the Aborigines, as the treaty with 
Great Britain declared the middle of the Great Lakes and the waters 
which unite them to be the boundary of the United States: and they 
closed with the desire to soon meet the general council in treaty. 

The 8th and 9th of August the Commissioners received reports 
that all the tribes represented at the Maumee Council were for peace 
excepting the Shawnees, Wyandots, Miamis and Delawares, and that 



SAVAGES AND BRITISH REJECT OFFERED PEACE. 181 

they were yitldint;; that many Aborigines were tired of the lonu delays 
and were departinn lor their respective villages. The Commissioners 
desired to ^o directly to tlie Maumee Council, hut this action the 
British would not i)ermit. 

The 14th thcv wrote to tile chiefs of the council attain urtjinu a 
meetins for a treatv : also to Colonel M'Kt-e tiiat his aid to this result 
would he gratefully acknowledged. The IHth Aujiust a lonR and care- 
fully written rei)lv was received at Captain KUiott's by the Commis- 
sioners closing with the assertion that it the Commissioners would not 
agree to the Ohio Kivi-r beinn tiie boundary 'a meetinK would be alto- 
fjether unnecessary.' Ai)pen(led to this paper was written the tcjllow- 
inn' names of 'Nations' reprtsented, viz: Wxandots, Seven Nations 
of Canada, Delawares, Shawnees, Mianiis, Ottawas, Chii)i)ewas, 
Senecas of the Glaise [Au^laise River], Pottawotamis, Connoys, 
Munsees, Nantakokias, Mohicans, Messasagoes, Creeks, Cherokees. 

This communication was, undoubtedly, fully conceived and written 
by the British authorities: it was certainly approved by their censors. 
This general council, as well as the one the year before by the Maumee 
at the mouth of tlw Auglaise, was the result of British efforts for many 
vears to federate all the savages that their dictated decision in council, 
and united action in war, might become irresistahle to the Americans. 
Joseph Brant, leader in the Six Nations and generally a stanch friend 
of the British, declared that such united action 'caused the defeat of 
two American armies [Harmar's and St. Clair's] . . . But to our 
surprise, when upon the point of entering upon a treaty with the 
[American] Commissioners, we found that it was opjiosed by those 
acting under the British government.'* . . In reply the American 
Commissioners sent to the chiefs and to the British Colonel M'Ktje, 
regretfully, the statement that their efforts for negotiations were at an 
end: including with thi' letters copies of the former treaties.^ The 
23rd August the Commissioners on their return arrived opposite Fort 
Erie where they dispatched, by different runners, letters to General 
Wayne and to General Knox Secretary of War announcing their failure 
to secure terms for peace. 

General Wayne believed further dilay would be an undue exjios- 
ure of the frontier to the savage incursions and, 5th October, 1793, he 
reported to the Secretary of War from near Fort Washington that his 
available army remained small from Kentucky disappointments, from 
fevers among his enlisted men, and from "the influenza [later called in 
America b\- the French name La Grippe] which has pervaded the whole 



" William L. Slones Life of Branl. volume ii. paye :i.TH. 

t American State Papers. Aboiinine Aftairs volume i. pages 340. 360. 



782 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

line in a most alarming and rapid degree. . . This is not a pleasant 
picture, but something must be done immediately to save the frontiers 
from impending savage fury. I will therefore advance to-morrow with 
the force f have in order to gain a strong position about six miles in 
front [north] of Fort Jefferson, so as to keep the enemy in check.". 
The 23rd October he reported, from this 'strong position' which he 
named Fort Greenville in honor of his friend of the Revolutionary War, 
General Nathaniel Greene, that 

We have recently experienced a little check to one of our convoys which may prob- 
ably be exaggerated into something serious by the tongue of fame before this reaches 
you ; the following is, however, the fact, viz ; Lieutenant Lowry, of the 2nd sub- 
legion and Ensign Boyd of the 1st with a command consisting of ninety non-commis- 
sioned officers and privates, having in charge twenty wagons belonging to the quarter- 
master general's department loaded with grain and one of the contractor's loaded with 
stores, were attacked earlv in the morning of the 17th instant about seven miles advanced 
of Fort St. Clair [twenty-nine miles above Fort Hamilton] by a party of Aborigines ; 
those two gallant young gentlemen (who promised at a future day to be ornaments to 
their profession) together with thirteen non-commissioned officers and privates, bravely 
fell after an obstinate resistance against superior numbers, being abandoned by the 
greater part of the escort upon the first discharge. The savages killed or carried ofl 
about seventy horses, leaving the wagons and stores standing in the road which have 
been all brought to this camp without any other loss or damage except some trifling 
articles. . . It is reported that the .Aborigines at Au Glaize [present Defiance] have 
sent their women and children into some secret recess or recesses from their towns ; and 
that the whole of the warriors are collected or collecting in force. . . A great number 
of men as well as officers have been left sick and debilitated at the respective garrisons, 
from a malady called the influenza; among others General Wilkinson has been danger- 
ously ill ; he is now at Fort Jefferson and on the recovery. 

The character of General Wayne, including his determination is 
further illustrated in the following sentence, excerpted from the same 
letter, viz; "The safety of the Western frontiers, the reputation of the 
legion, the dignity and interest of the nation, all forbid a retrograde 
manoeuvre, or giving up one inch of ground we now possess, until the 
enemv are compelled to sue for peace."* His encampment at Green- 
ville was fortified and part of the army passed the winter there. 

Major Henry Burbeck was ordered 23rd December, with eight 
companies of infantry and artillery, to proceed to the battle-field of 
Genera! St. Clair's defeat and there erect a fortification. This stockade 
enclosure with blockhouses was given the name Fort Recovery. 

The Aborigines, observing this steady advance toward their princi- 
pal retreats, with fortifications, made a movement for peace; and 
probablv a treaty of peace could, also, at this time have been effected 
but for the continued adverse influence of the British. Their desires 
and continued efforts to 'unite the American Aborigines' which Gov- 



* American State Papers, Aborigine Atiairs^volume i, paye 361. 



MACHINATIONS OF BRITISH. FRENCH AND SPANISH. 185 

ernor Simcoe expressed at Niagara to the American Peace Commis- 
sioners as 'the iirinciiile of the British government' was for their own 
better control ot tin in: and these efforts were continued also with the 
Creeks, Cheroktes, and other tribes along the American frontiers south 
of the Ohio River, thus costing the United States many lives and much 
expense there, also. In fact much of the open as well as of the secret 
conduct of the British was not only reprehensible, but criminal. It 
was they who kept alive the boundary question in its virulence, seeking 
to extend their own boundary thereby while professing to favor the 
Aborigines. The British desire for the traffic of the Aborigines had 
something to do with this conduct; but they could not have been 
actuated to their course bv any complicity of the American authorities 
in any other act inimical to their interest.* 

These were troublous years to the .\mericans generally, they bring 
beset on all sides, by the British and Aborigines, and by the machina- 
tions of the French and Spanish to involve them in complications with 
Great Britain and, further, to again incite the inhabitants west of the 
Alleghenv Mountains to a separation from the East. The natural 
outlet for the products of the Ohio Basin down the Mississippi River 
had much to do with the continuation of the disaffection of the settlers 
with the East: but thi- statesmen of the East were largely responsible 
for its beginning, by their arguments against the extension of the 
United States domain which they thought already too large to be 
governed from one center. The Spanish and French emissaries took 
advantage of these complicities at different times, and circulated their 
schemes among the settlers of the West from Detroit to Kentucky and 
the Illinois country. General Wayne well styled this complicity of 
enemies to the United States an hydra. t 

The Aborigine chiefs kept in close communication with the British 
officials — not only with Elliott and M'Kee, but with Detroit, Lieu- 
tenant Governor Simcoe of Niagara and with the Governor General 
Lord Dorchester. In an address of welcome to the chiefs 10th Febru- 
ary, 1794, Lord Dorchester spoke in part as follows: . . "Chil- 
dren, since my return I find no appearance of a [boundary] line re- 
mains: and from the manner in which the people of the United States 
push on and act [evidently referring to the advance of General Wayne] 



* See President Washineton's proclamation of neutrality, and Secretary Jefferson's remonstrance 
reeardine the overtures of the Spanish of the Mississippi lo the Kentuckians. and also at>ainst the 
incitintis of the French Minister Edmund Charles Genesi (often written Genet ) to beuel sympathy for 
the French revolutionists against the British and Spanish. .Mso the .\merican order to occupy Fort 
Massac, situate on the north bank of the Ohio River eight miles below the mouth of the Tennessee, lo 
intercept all illegal transit - /Imer/can State Papers. Foreign Relations vol. i, page 172 et seq. 

tCompare American State Papers. Aborigine Affairs and Foreign Relations. Also for a brief 
connected account of these complicities, see The Winning of the West by Theodore Roosevelt. 



184 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

and talk ... I shall not be surprised if we are at war with them 
in the course of the present year; and if so a line must then be drawn 
by the warriors. . . . We have acted in the most peaceable manner 
and borne the language and conduct of the people of the United States 
with patience; but I believe our patience is almost exhausted."* . . . 

This address was characteristic of the unlimited selfishness and 
arrogance of the British; and the assertion of impending war — in 
which they were again to actively champion the savages in their most 
horrid work — was not idle words. Lieutenant Governor Simcoe was 
immediatels' sent to Detroit, he being there the 18th February; and the 
17th April a letter from Detroit reads that "we have lately had a visit 
from Governor Simcoe; he came from Niagara through the woods 
. . . hi' has gone to the foot of the [Maumee] Rapids, and three 
companies of Colonel [Richard] England's regiment have followed 
him to assist in building a fort there, "t 

This fort was a veritable strongliold. It was named Fort Miami, 
and situated on the left bank of the Maumee River near the lower limits 
of the present Village of Maumee, which w^as then as now, a great 
advance into L'nited States territory. M'Kee's Agency house was one 
mile and a half above this fort and near the foot of the lowest rapids. t 
The reinforcement of General Wayne's command by Kentucky troops 
and all their movements were regularl\- re])orted at Forts Miami and 
Lernoult at Detroit; and at the advance of his army Fort Miami was 
strengthened and further garrisoned, and Major William Campbell 
succeeded Captain Caldwell its first commandant. President Washing- 
ton, through Edmund Randolph Secretary of State, complained to the 
British Government regarding Lord Dorchester's address to the 
savages, which had been widely circulated among them and the Ameri- 
cans; and he also protested against Fort Miami. The re])ly showed 
that the London Government instigated the aggressions, and it offered 
no relief. II 

General Wayne reported 7th July, 1794, from his headquarters at 
Greenville that 

At seven o'clock in the morning of the :!Oth ultimo one of our escorts consisting of 
ninety riflemen and fifty dragoons commanded by Major McMalion, was attaclted by a 
numerous body of Aborigines under the walls of Fort Recovery, followed by a general 
assault upon that post and garrison [of about two hundred men] in every direction. The 
enemy were soon repulsed with great slaughter, but immediately rallied and reiterated 
the attack keeping up a very heavy and constant fire at a more respectable distance for 



* A verified copy from the .Archives of the London ForeiKn Office. See Rives' Life and Times oj 
James Madison volume iii, paee 418. Also Roosevelt's The Winning 0/ r/ie West, volume iv, page 57. 
t American State Papers. Aborigine Affairs volume i, page 4H0. 
+ See M'Kee's letter to Chew of 8th May. 1794. In Canadian Archives at Ottawa. 
II American State Papers, Foreign Relations volume i. 



SAVAGES ATTACK FORT RECOVERY. 185 

the remainder of the day, whicli was answered with spirit and effect l)y the garrison and 
a part of Major McMahon's command that had regained the post. The savages were 
employed during the night (which was dark and foggy) in carrying off their dead by 
torch light, which occasionally drew a fire from the garrison. They, nevertheless, suc- 
ceeded so well that there were but eight or ten bodies left upon the field, and those close 
under the range of the guns of the fort. 

The enemy again renewed the attack on the morning of the 1st instant, but were 
ultimately compelled to retreat with loss and disgrace from that very field where they 
had upon a formt'r occasion been prou<lly victorious. 

It was api)arL'nt that 'tluTu were a considerahlf iiuinl)L-r of tiu' 
British and the militia of Ditroit* mixed with tlir savages in tht- 
assault' and thcv expected to fiiul tht- camion lost li\ Gintral St. 
Clair: but these had been found by tlie .Vmericanst wlio used them 
against the assailants. The .\merican loss b\- tin- assault on Fort 
Recovery was twenty-two killed, thiit\ wounded and three missing. 
Of the horses fifty-nine were killed, twent\-two wounded, and two 
hundred and twenty-one were niissiny : but the Gineral reported that 
thiir loss would not in the least retard the advanci- ol the legion after 
the arrival of the expected mounted volunteers from Kentuckv. 

The British had, also, been again holding communication with the 
Spanish ot tin Mississippi who promised to help them against the 
.•\mericans: and M'Kee was supplying the savages with the bist of 
firearms (rifles) and other articles of war. These wvrv used in the 
attack at Fort Recovery: and a party of Uelawares and Shawnees 
afterward presented si.x American scalps before M'Kee and addressed 
him as follows: "We had two actions with Wayne's troo]is in which a 
great many of our enemies were killed. Part of their flesh we have 
brought here with us to convince our friend of the truth of their being 
now in great force on their march against us: therefore, F"ather, we 
desire you to be strong and bid your children make haste to our assist- 
anci' as was jsromised by them."t 

In further confirmation of the reprehensible action of the British, 
and their fears that the .\mericans would retaliate, the following letters 
from Colonel Alexander M'Kee British Agent to these .\borigines, 
written to Colonel Richard England Commandant at Detroit, are 
given, they being endorsed 'On His Majesty's Service' viz:|| 



* American State Papers, Aboricine .Affairs volume i, panes 4»<«-H9. 

t .\ll of ihese cannon, but one, were early found hidden under old trees and debris. The 
missing one was reported by a Shawnee, by way of Little Turtle, to Colonel Hanitranick 9lh December, 
179,"), as buried at the confluence of the water courses near St. Clair's Battle Field. 

1 M'Kee's letters 7th, 8th. 2.ith and .'Wth, May, 1794, in Canadian Archives. See, also, letter of 
Carondelet 9th July, 1794. in the Draper Spanish Documents Madison. Wisconsin, tjuoted in Roose- 
velt's The Winning of the West. G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1899, volume iv. 

« National Intelligencer. WashiuKton, District of Columbia. 'iSth July, l»H. 



186 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

[Maumee] Rapids, July 5, 1794. 

Sir : I send this by a party of Saganas [Saginaw Aborigines] who returned yes- 
terday from Fort Recovery where the whole body of Aborigines, except the Delawares 
who hpd gone another route, imprudently attacked the fort on Monday the iiOth of last 
month, and lost 10 or 17 men besides a good many wounded. 

Everything had been settled prior to their leaving the fallen timber, and it had 
been agreed upon to confine themselves to taking convoys and attacking at a distance 
from the forts, if they should have the address to entice the enemy [Americans] out ; 
but the impetuosity of the Mackinac Aborigines and their eagerness to begin with the 
nearest, prevailed with the others to alter their system, the consequences of which from 
the present appearance of things may most materially injure the interests of these people. 
Both the Mackina and Lake Aborigines seemed resolved on going home again, having 
completed the belts they carried with scalps and prisoners, and having no provisions 
there at the Glaize [the present Defiance] to subsist upon, so that His Majesty's posts 
will derive no security from the late great influx of Aborigines into this part of the 
country, should they persist in their resolution of returning so soon. 

The immediate object of the attack was three hundred pack horses going from this 
fort [Recovery] to F'ort Greenville, in which the Aborigines completely succeeded, taking 
and killing all of them. But the commanding officer. Captain Gibson, sending out a 
troop of cavalry, and bringing his infantry out in the front of his post, the Aborigines 
attacked him and killed about fifty, among whom is Captain Gibson and two other 
officers. On the near approach of the .Aborigines to the fort, the remains of his gar- 
rison retired into it, and from their loopholes killed and wounded as already men- 
tioned. Captain Elliott writes that they are immediately to hold a council at the Glaize 
[Auglaise or Grand Glaise, site of the present Defiance, Ohio] in order to try if they can 
prevail upon the Lake Aborigines to remain ; but without provisions, ammunition, &c. , 
being sent to that place, I conceive it will be extremely difficult to keep them together. 

With 'great respect, I have the honor to be 

Your obedient and humble servant, 

A. McKee. 

Another letter from the same to the same one week before the 
Battle of Fallen Timber, reads as follows: 

[Maumee] Rapids, August Ki, 1794. 

Sir: I was honored last night with your letter of the 11th, and was extremely glad 
to find you are making such exertions to supply the Aborigines with provisions. 

Captain Elliott arrived yesterday ; what he has brought will greatly relieve us, hav- 
ing been obliged yesterday to take all the corn and flour which the traders had here. 

A scouting party from the Americans carried off a man and a woman yesterday 
morning between this place and Roche de Bout, and afterwards attacked a small party 
of Delawares in their camp; but they were repulsed with the loss of a man, whom they 
either hid or threw into the river. They killed a Delaware woman.* Scouts are sent 



*Captain John McDonald, in a small book of Biographical Sl<etches publistied in Cincinnati in 1H38, 
gives the following account of the doings of some of the most daring men of those savage times in this 
Maumee Basin where savagery had then focused. Captain McDonald was a member of Captain 
Ephraim Kibby's Company of Rangers with General Wayne's army and was well informed regarding 
what he wrote. Some of these daring acts are recounted here in as near his own words as 
space will admit, as the best possible glimpses of Americans who met savagery in its lair and contributed 
largely to the success of a most important and daring military campaign; 

Captain William Wells commanded an eftective division of spies with General Wayne's army. 
Wells was captured by the Miamis when about twelve years of age and grew to manhood with them and 
could speak the language of several tribes. He left the Aborigines { particulars not known ) in spring of 



DARING DEEDS OF AMERICAN SCOUTS. 187 

up to view the situation of the army ; autl we now muster 1000 Aborigines. All the 
Lake Aborigines from Sagina downwards should not lose one moment in joining their 
brethren, as every accession of strength is an addition to their spirits. 
I have the honor to be. with very great respect sir. 

Voiir most obedient and vtrv humijie servant. 

A. McKhe. 

1792, or about eighteen months before the coniiiii; of General Wayne, and returned to his relatives (place 
not fiiven). Attached to Wells's connnand h) General Wayne'sarmy were Robert M'Lellan [see Irvina's 
Astoria) a most athletic man; Henry Miller who had also been a captive with the savayes. older brother 

of Christopher Miller who will he mentioned later; also Hickman and Thorp, all, of tried 

worth in warfare against the savaces. Wells and his four spies soon became confidential and privileged 
Kentlenien in camp, who were only called upon to do duty on very particular and interesiini; occasions. 
They were permitted a carte blanche amoni; the horses of the dragoons and when on duly went well 
mounted, whilst the spies commanded by Captain Kibhy went on foot and were kept constantly on the 
alert, scouring the country in every direction. 

At Greenville General Wayne sent out Wells and his spies to briny in a prisoner. They proceeded 
to the AuKlaise River where they soon discovered a smoke. They dismounted, tied their horses, and 
proceeded cautiously to reconnoiter. They found three .\bori«ines camped on a hiirh, open space of 
ground, clear of brush and underwoo<l except a fallen tree extending to within eiL'hty yards of the hre 
where the .\borinines were cookiiiw their meal. It was decided that they eo around to and alony the 
tree the branches of which, covered with leaves, were nearest the enemy. Wells and Miller were to 
shoot each the man in front of him. leaviny the central one to be caunht alive by M'Clellan. Immedi- 
ately after the dischariie of the yuns M'Clellan sprang after his man who. as tpiickly. started to run. 
Observim; that his pursuer was gaining on him in the course he had taken, he turned to the bank of the 
Auglaise, here about twenty feet high, and jumped over miring in the soft mud at the bottom. Without 
hesitation M'Clellan jumped after, also miring. Here the ready knife of the pursued was opposed by 
the uplifted tomahawk of the athletic pursuer at whose command the knife was surrendered. Soon 
Captain Wells and Miller came to the edge of the bank and, seeing their friend and enemy safe, took 
time to descend the bank at a less precipitous place. They dragged the captive out of the mud and tied 
him. He was very sulky, refusing to speak either language. One went for the horses while others 
washed the mud and paint from the prisoner, who was a white man, Still he refused to give any 
account of himself. The two dead Aborigines were scalped, and the scouts started for headtjuarters 
with their prisoner. On the way Henry Miller began to gather the idea that the prisoner was his 
brother Christopher whom he was obliged to leave captive with the Aborigines several years before. 
With this impression he rode alongside him and railed him by the name given by his Aborigine captors. 
He startled, stared around, and eagerly inquired how he came to know his name. The mysteries were 
soon explained- their prisoner was indeed Christopher Miller. He was at first very reticent when 
questioned by General Wayne. .After being confined for some time as a prisoner, with the army, he 
gave all the information he could regarding the Aborigines, agreed to forsake his savage habits, joined 
Captain Wells' scouts and, in company with his brother, remained faithful to the Americans. Early in 
July he accompanied the scouts to the Auglaise River where they captured a Poitawotami chief after 
he had discharged his gun at them and started to escape by running. 

On another adventure, they captured a canoe load of Aborigines on the River St. Mary, who were 
recognized by Wells as the family with whom he had lived during his captivity. They were kindly 
treated, and were liberated with the injunction to keep away from the route of the army. 

.After General Wayne's arrival at the point where he built Fort Defiance, he started Wells and 
his spies down the Maumee River to ascertain ilie position and condition of the enemy. They started 
in the dress and paint of the Aborigines and, when near the British Fort Miami, entered an .Aborigine 
village and talked with its people without being suspicioned. Beyond this village they captured a man 
and woman [mentioned above in one of M'Kee's letters? without their resisting, and started on their 
return to the army. A little after dark they came near a large encampment of Aborigines who were 
merrily passing the evening. They detoured this camp and. about half a mile above it along the river 
they halted, tied and gagged their captives, and riding boldly among the savages plied them with 
qtiestions regarding General Wayne's army and where they were to gather to resist its advance. The 
savages gathered around them and were very communicative until one, somewhat removed, expressed 
the belief that the strangers were not their friends. Wells understood the remark and, giving the 
signal, each rifle in his company was fired at short range, each killinc a savage. They turned, put spurs 
to their horses on which they had remained sealed, [)icked up their prisoners, and hoped to escape 
injury by lying close to their horses. They were pursued, tired upon, and two were wounded ^ Wells 
through the bone of the arm carrying his rifle which dropped to the ground, and a bullet passed under 
M'Clellan's shoulder blade, coming out at the top of the shoulder. They were about thirty miles from 
the mouth of the Auglaise where the army was building Fort Defiai^ce, and one of the party rode for- 



188 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



Tin- ti'Stimnny of savages of different trilies vet furtlier confirm the 
influence of tlie Britisfi in promoting tfie war, even after most of tlie 
trilies desired peace witli tlie Americans.* 

Major General Charles Scott with about sixteen hundred volunteer 

cavalymen from Ken- 
tucky who had lieen 
sent home for the 
winter, rejoined the 
army, then number- 
ing possibly two 
thousand soldiers, at 
Greenville, Ohio, 
26th July, 1794; and 
the next day General 
Wayne ordered the 
general advance 
movement for the 
■2ftth. 

This was to lie a 
most momentous 
campaign. If this, 
the third army be 
defeated, the country 
west and southwest 
of the Allegheny 
Mountains would, 
evidently, thence- 
forth be completely 
dominated b y t h e 
British, and completely lost to the Americans. On account of its 
supreme importance, the ability and signal success with which it was 
conducted by General Wayne, and the original records being the only 




MAJOR GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE. 

Born in Easttown, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1st January. 1745. 
Died at Erie. Pa., loth December. 1796. 



ward at full speed for help, lipon his arrival at camp 'General Wayne at once dispatclied a surceon 
and a company of liis swiftest dratioons, who brought the wounded, and the prisoners safely to camp.' 

In recard to planninsi, bravery, and daring, American scouts far excelled the savages. William 
Wells remained a valuable scout and interpreter. He married a sister of the noted Miami chief Little 
Turtle, and exerted a great influence over that chief and his tribe favorable to the Americans. A large 
tract of land at Fort Wayne was given to him (see Map, page 97) and there he afterward lived, and there 
Little Turtle died 14 July, 1812. Spy Run in this reservation was named from Wells. He was killed by 
western savages at the evacuation of Fort Dearborn, Chicago, 15th .August, 1812. 

* At this time every exertion was being made Iby the British! to aid the Aborigines; and on .\ugust 
18, 1794, Governor Simcoe wrote to Lord Dorchester that he would ' go to Detroit with all the force he 
could muster.' He was too late, however, for on August 20th General Wayne defeated the combined 
forces near their own fort — History of Detroit, by Silas Farmer, volume i. See also testimony of Pot- 
tawotamis, Shawnees and others before General Wayne in June, 1794, American State Papers, Aborigine 
Affairs volume i, pages 489, 490. 



MARCH OF WAYNE'S ARMY TO ST. MARY RIVER. 189 

authentic account of it and thcv W-ina ionu "ut of iirint, tlu- writer 
derides to reproduce them in full, heuinniiin with the 

DiAKV i)K Gk.nerai. Wavnk's Cami'aicn', uv LiK.i tknan I Hover* 

Tort Clreenville, where we were employed in erecliiiK' luits, and remained nntil the 
2Hth July. 17iM. 

Camp at Stillwater, t 2Sth July, li'.M. .\Kreeable to the general order of yesterday, 
the legion took up their line of march at eight o'clock, and encamped at half past three 
on the bank of Stillwater, twelve miles from Greenville. The weather extremely warm 
— water very bad. Nothing occurred worth noticing. 

Camp one mile in advance of Kort Recovery 2!lthjuly. Will. .\| five o'clock left 
the camp --arrived on this groimd at one o'clock, being fifteen miles. Nothing took 
place worth reciting. 

1 am now informed that tracks were perceived on our right think. sii]iposed to be 
runners from the Oglaize.+ 

Camp Beaver Swainp, eleven miles in advance of Fort Recovery, ^fdth July, 17!ll, 
This morning the legion took up the line of march, and arrived here at three o'clock. 
The road was to cut, as will be the case on every new route we take in this country. 

The weather still warm no water except in ponds, which nothing but excessive 
thirst wnnld indnic ns tn drink. The mos(]uitf)es :ire vi-rv troiililfsumi-. :iii(l laiL'ir than 




Site of the Fort Adams built by (;eiieral Wayne. In the N. E. Ji of Section 24, Dublin Township, 
Mercer County, Ohio. Looking northward across the River St, Mary, in the rain 29th ,.\pril, 1902. 



* The American Pioneer volume i, paces 315, 351 el sequentia. 

t Stillwater Creek, a tributary of the Miami River. 

+ Spies from the Aut,'laise River down which the army was to pass. 



190 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



I ever saw. The most of this country is covered with beech, the land of a wet soil inter- 
mixed with rich tracts, but no running water to f)e found. A bridge to be built over this 
swamp to morrow, which prevents the march of the legion till the day after. We are 
informed there is no water for twelve miles. 

July ;ilst, 17!M. Commenced fjuilding the bridge, being seventy yards in length, 
which will retpiire infinite labor; it will be five feet deep, with loose mud and water. 

One hundred pioneers set out this morning, strongly escorted, to cut a road to the 
St. Mary River, twelve miles. I expect the bridge will be completed so as to march 
early in the morning. 

Camp St. Mary River, 1st .\ugust. 171)1. Proceeded on our way before sunrise, 
and arrived at tliis place at three o'clock, being twelve miles as aforesaid. Our encamp- 
ment is on the largest and most beautiful prairie I ever beheld, the land rich and well 
timbered: the water plenty but very bad — the river is from forty-five to fifty yards 
wide, in which I bathed. I am told there is plenty of fish in it. 

.\ugust 2nd, IT'.M. The legion detained here for the purpose of erecting a garrison 
[fortj* which will take up three days. This day one of the deputy quartermasters was 
taken up by the .\borigines.t Our spies discovered where four of the enemy had re- 
treated precipitately with a horse, and supposed to be the party the above person had 
been taken by. It is hoped he will not give accurate information of our strength. 

August 3rd, 17!M. An accident took place this day by a tree falling on the Com- 
mander-in-Chief [General Wayne] and nearly putting an end to his existence ; we 
expected to be detained here some time in consequence of it, but fortunately he is not 
so much hurt as to prevent him from riding at a slow pace. No appearance of the 
enemy to-day, and think they are preparing for a warm attack. The weather very hot 
and dry, without any appearance of rain. 

Camp Thirty-one miles in advance 
of Fort Recovery, 4th August, 1794. 
The aforesaid garrison [fort] being com- 
pleted. Lieutenant Underbill with one 
hundred men left to protect it ; depart- 
ed at six o'clock and arrived here at 
three o'clock, being ten miles. The 
land we marched through is rich and 
well timbered, but the water scarce and 
bad ; obliged to dig holes in boggy pla- 
ces and let it settle. 

Camp Forty-four miles in advance 
of Fort Recovery, oth August, 1794. J 
We arrived at this place at four o'clock, 
nothing particular occurring. The land 
and water as above described — had 
some rain to-day. 
Camp Fifty-six miles from F'ort Recovery, (ith August, 1794. Encamped on this 
ground at two o'clock. In the course of our march perceived the track of twenty Abori- 
gines. I am informed we are within six miles of one of their towns on the Oglaize river 




roRT 
ADA MS 




Ground plan of Fort .\danis established by General 
Wayne lird AiiKiist. 1794. Abandoned by its carrisoti 
of .t6 I'nited Slates Troops in ,Ihe early suininer of 
1796- From the American Pioneer. 



"■ Fort Adams, located on the south (left) bank of the St. Mary River, three and three-fourths miles 
up stream (eastward) from the present Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio, formerly known as Shane's 
Crossing for many years, 

t This man deserted. See General Wayne's letter on subsequent page 

i Near the present village of Fort Jennings, Putnam County, Ohio, 



ARRIVAL OF WAYNES ARMY AT THE MAUMEE. 191 

supposed to be the upper Delaware town.* If so, I expect to eat green corn to-morrow. 
Our march this day has been through an exceeding fine country, but the water still bad ; 
the day cooler than heretofore. 

(amp sixty-eight miles from I'ort Recovery,! 7th August, I7!M. This day passed 
the upper town on the Oglaize [Auglaise Kiver] which the Aborigines evacuated 
some time ago. I expect to see one of their new towns, where I am told there are all 
sorts of vegetables, which will be very acceptable to the troops. We have had no 
appearance of .\borigines today. 







— 'lowriship Llbcs 

ittj»»i n «»«*j Dzfionce City Limit; 
A Five prehistoric Bvial Mounds 
B Thrct LaTctr Aboriijindl Bvrial Places 
c "Five Abonijimdl Corn Jlel<l5 
D Tive Appl« Oi-cbards piarjted by Ikt Eai'ly Trtnch 
ELTwo Shawnet VillaOes in I79Z 
F Nir7eEarlierdnd Later Abori(jirMlVill<)i^d«)Giir7pir!i) Sites 
OAtmrirtirdl Courjcil Oak .CvT Pown Abovt 1865 
GGeneral Wayne'5for1 Defidnce 1794 AviJvstSth 
No! NoiNoJH J Gen Winchesters five CampiRtp 5ifc5l8IZ 
K General Winchesters Abatis 181 Z 
Lf&rt Winchester, 161 Z 

G4.Encatr?pinenTGii;Wd'^nc'5 Ar*y /W9 Z7 fe5tpfl3, IT9A 
M 'Bui'idl Ground of Soldiers 
N Trestorz Island 

P Blodoett blarzd [blown Jown in 1887 

J|t Th* LAr^csfdrad most Famous App/« Tree onlpccorj Wat, 



GREENWICH 



M.^P SHOWING THE SITES OF THK PREHISTORIC .\ND E.ARLY HISTORIC PL.'VCES 
of most interest at Detiance, Ohio. A Field .'Vssislant in the Ignited Slates Coast and Geodetic 
Survey confirmed the Author's computation of Latitude and LoiiRitude as here recorded. He also set 
a stone about forty rods northeast of the main buildinc of Defiance College near the north limit of the 
City, and there computed the earth's magnetism July 31, 19(13, as follows: Intensity, .1869 dynes: 
Dili, 72° as'; Declination, 2(1' west. 

Camp Grand Oglaize, J 8th .August, 17!M. Proceeded on our inarch to this place at 
five o'clock this morning, and arrived here at the confluence of the Miami [Maumee] 
and Oglaize [Auglaise] rivers at half past ten, being seventy-seven miles from Fort 



* Site of the present village of Charloe. Paulding County, Ohio. 

t Near mouth of Crooked (Flat Rock) Creek. Paulding County, Ohio. 

I Junction of the Auglaise River with the Maumee. site of the present City of Defiance, Ohio. 



192 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Recovery. This place far excels in beauty any in the western country, and believed 
equalled by none in the Atlantic States. Here are vegetables of every kind in abun- 
dance, and we have marched four or five miles in corn fields down the Oglaize 
[Auglaise] and there are not less than one thousand acres of corn [Zea mays] round 
the town.* The land in general of the fir nature. t 

This country appears well adapted for the enjoyment of industrious people, who 
cannot avoid living in as great luxury as in any other place throughout the states. Nature 
having lent a most bountiful hand in the arrangement of the position, that a man can 
send the produce to market in his own boat. The land level and river navigable, not 
more than sixty miles from the lake [Erie]. 

The British have built a large garrison [fort] about fifty miles from this place, and 
our spies inform us that the enemy are encamped about two miles above it by the river. 

Grand Oglaize. !)th August. 17!)4. We remain here. The Commander-in-Chief 
has ordered a garrison [Fort Defiance] to be erected at the confluence of the Miami 
[Maumee] and Oglaize [Auglaise] rivers, which was begun this morning, and will take 
up some time: by this means the troops will be much refreshed, as well as the horses 
and cattle, the latter being much wearied and in need of a recess of labor. No appear- 
ance of an enemy. 

Grand Oglaize [Defiance] 10th August. 171)4. The troops in good spirits. No 
interruption from, or account of. the enemy. We have plenty of vegetables. One of 
our militia officers was wounded by his own sentinel by mistake. 

Grand Oglaize, 11 th August, 1704. Nothing occurs to prevent the completion of our 
work . X 

Whatever diar\- was written by Lieutenant Boyer for the dates of 
12th to 15th Aui^aist inclusive, styled 'a few leaves' by John S. Wil- 
liams editor of The American Pioneer^ w-as lost previous to September, 
1842. The ]">reserved dates continue as follows: 

. . . [August 1."). 1704.] Took up the line of march [from Fort Defiance] and 



* The British should be largely credited for this aKricultural thrift on account of their encourage- 
ment of it: but the Aborigine women did the work of planting and cultivating. 

t This expression was due to the Red Cedar trees iJuniperous Virginiana, L.) seen along the 
rivers. Fir trees proper have not been found indigenous along the Maumee and Auglaise Rivers. 

JThe nth August, 1794, William Wells, one of General Wayne's scouts, took a Shawnee prisoner 
near the foot of the lowest Maumee Rapids and. upon examination by General Wayne at the mouth of 
the Auglaise River he testified as follows: 

Question— When did the .aborigines receive information of the advance of the army ? Answer— 
The first information was from a white man who came in of his own accord about ten days since. 
Q.— Where are the Aborigines at this time ? .A..— At Colonel McKee's. Q.— Where are the British and 
what are their numbers ? A —In a fort about one mile below Colonel McKee's. on the north side of the 
river, situate on a hill or bank close by the margin where are about 200 men. They are now at work at 
the fort. (J. — What number of guns have they in the fort ? A. — Four or five. <J-"~What number of 
warriors are at McKee's and what nations do they belong to ? A.^There are six hundred, who aban- 
doned this place [at the mouth of the .Auglaise Riverl on the approach of the army; Shawnese about 200, 
but ni) more : Delawares. about 800; Mianiis, about 100; and warriors of other tribes, about UXl. n.— 
What number are expected to assemble, in addition to those now at the foot of the Rapids ? A.— In all 
about 400 men: Wyandots. 3tX\ and Tawas fOttawas] about 240, .A.— What number of white men are to 
join, and when ^ A. — Mr. or Captain Elliott set out for Detroit six days since and was to be back yester- 
day with all the militia, and an additional number of regular troops, which with those already there 
would amount to 1000 men. This is the general conversation among the Aborigines, and Captain Elliott 
promised to bring that number. Colonel McKee's son went with Elliott, as also the man who deserted 
from this army on its march. Q. — When and where do the Aborigines mean to tight this army ? A.— At 
the foot of the rapids. The white man who came in, told the Aborigines and Colonel McKee that the 
army was destined for that place. 



MARCH OF WAYNE'S ARMY DOWN THE MAUMEE. 195 

at one arrived on lliis ground without any occurrence. Our camp is situated in sight of 
Snaketown* by the Miami of the Lake [Maumee Kiver]. Vegetables in abundance. 

Camp NinetKcn miles from Oglaize. Uith .\uKusl. 17!)t.i' Our march this day was 
through a bushy ground, and the road generally bad. Miller (the flaK)+ returned 
this day from the enemy with information from the tribes, that if the ("ommander-in- 
chief would remain at Grand Oglaize ten days they would let him know whether they 
would be for peace or war. 

Camp Thirty-one miles from Camp Oglaizell 17th August. 171II. This day a small 
party of the enemy's spies fell in with ours; both parties being for discoveries, they 
retreated, at which time the enemy fired and wounded one of our horses. Our 
camp, head of the Kapids. 

Camp Forty-one miles from Grand Oglaize [at Koche de Bout] IHth August. 1794. 
The legion arrived on this ground, nothing particular taking place. Five of our 
spies were sent out at three o'clock — they fell in with an advanced body of the enemy, 
and obliged to retreat ; but May. one of our spies, fell under the enemy's hold. What 
his fate may be must be left to future success.)! 

Camp Deposit! I'.lth August. 1794. The legion still continued in encampment, and 
are throwing up works to secure and deposit the heavy baggage of the troops, so that 
the men may be light for action, provided the enemy have presumption to favor us 
with an interview, which if they should think proper to do. the troops are in such high 
spirits that we will make an easy victory of them. 

By this morning's order, the legion is to march at five o'clock. 

Camp in sight of a British garrison on the Miamis of the Lake,** .August 20. 1794. 
One hundred and fifty miles from Greenville. This day the legion, after depositing 
every kind of baggage, took up the line of march at 7 o'clock and continued their route 
down the margin of the river without making any discovery until eleven o'clock, 
when the front guard, which was composed of mounted volunteers, were fired on by 
the enemy. The guard retreated in the utmost confusion through the front guard of 
the regulars, commanded by Captain Cook and Lieutenant Steele, who, in spite of 
their utmost e.xertion, made a retreat. These fell in with the left of Captain Howell 
Lewis' company of light infantry and threw that part of the men into confusion. 
which Captain Lewis observing, he ordered the left of his company to retreat about 



* On the site of the present Florida. Henry County, Ohio. 

t About tlie site of the present Napoleon, Henry County, Ohio. 

t Christopher Miller, see ante page 187, sent with a (white) flag of truce to ofter peace to the 
Aborigines. Compare General Wayne's report on subsequent pane. 

II At the head of the Grand Rapids of the Maumee River. 

Is The story of Williain May's capture and of his fate, is thus told by John Brickell who saw May at 
the time when he (Brickelll was then a young captive, viz : Two or three days after we arrived at the 
[lower Mauineel Rapids. Wayne's spies came right into camp among us, I afterwards saw the survivors. 
Their names were Wells. Miller. McClelland. May. Mahatfy. and one other whose name I forgot. They 
came into canu' boldly and tired on llie .Aborigines. Miller was wounded in the shoulder. May was 
chased by the .Xboripines to the smooth rock in the bed of the river, where his horse fell, and he was 
taken prisoner. The others escaped. They took May to camp where they recognized him as having 
been a captive among them, and having escaped tsee ante page 1781. They said: We know you: you 
speak Aborigine language: you not content to live with us; to-morrow we take you to that tree [pointing 
to a very large oak at the edge of the clearing which was near the British forti we will tie yon fast, and 
make a mark on your breast, and we will see which one of us can shoot nearest it. It so turned out. 
The next day. the day before the battle [of Fallen Timber! they riddled his body with bullets, shooting 
at least hfty into him— The American Pioneer vol. i. page i>2. 

T At Roche de Bout. See engraving, and Chapter on the Maumee River. 

*"' Fort Miami on the left [ north) bank of the Maumee River near the lower side of the corporate 
limits of the present Village of Maumee. Lucas County. Ohio. See Map of lower Maumee River. 



194 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



forty yards, where he formed them and joined the right which had stood their 
ground. They continued in this position until they were joined by part of Captain 
Springer's battalion of riflemen, which was nearly fifteen minutes after the firing 
commenced, who drove the enemy that had attempted to fiank us on the right 
[probably at the site of Turkeyfoot Rock]. Nearly at the same time, the right 
column came up, and the charge was sounded — the enemy gave way and fired scattering 
shots as they run off. 

■Vbout the time the right column came up, a heavy firing took place on the 
left, which lasted but a short time, the enemy giving way in all quarters, which left us 
in possession of their dead to the number of forty. Our loss was thirty killed and one 
hundred wounded. Among the former we have to lament the loss of Captain Miss 
Campbell of the dragoons, and Lieutenant Henry B. Fowles of the 4th sub-legion ; 
and of the latter. Captains Prior of the first, Slough of the fourth, and Van 
Rensselaer of the dragoons, also Lieutenant Campbell Smith of the fourth sub- 
legion. The whole loss of the enemy cannot at present be ascertained, but it is more 
than probable it must have been considerable, for we pursued them with rapidity 
for nearly two miles. 




M.^l'MEE KIVKK .\N1J .MI.\.VII .^iND hKIl', L.\N.-\1,. 

Luukiiiy lujitliuast down the river April 15, 1901. Roche de Bout (point of rork) is seen in the river 
one-halt mile distant, .^bove the ledye of rock on the left shore General Wayne built his Fort Deposit 
within his encampment, before the Battle of Fallen Timber, the place of which is about three miles 
down the river. In the left distance is a large crusher of stone for road macadamizing: and to the 
right of it are several derricks of a newly developed petroleum field in the ancient deserted channel of 
the Mauniee. In Lucas County. Ohio. 



As to the number of the enemy engaged in this action, opinions are so various 
that I am at a loss to know what to say ; the most general opinion is one thousand 
five hundred, one-third of which are supposed to be Canadians ; I am led to believe 
this number is not over the mark. After the troops had taken some refreshment, 
the legion continued their route down the river, and encamped in sight of the British 
garrison. One Canadian [Antoine Lasselle] fell into our hands, whom we loaded 
with irons. 

Camp Foot of the Rapids 21st August, 1791. We are now lying within half a 
mile of a British garrison [Fort Miami]. A flag came to the Commander-in-chief, 
the purport of which was that he, the commanding officer of the British fort, was 
surprised to see an American army so far advanced in this country ; and why they 
had the assurance to encamp under the mouths of his Majesty's cannons! The 
Commander-in-chief answered, that the affair of yesterday might well inform him 



RETURN OF ARMY FROM BATTLE OF FALLEN TIMBER. 195 

why this army was encamped in its present position, and had the fleeing savages 
taken shelter under the walls of the fort, his Majesty's cannons should not have pro- 
tected them. 

Camp Foot of the Kapids Tid August. 1704. We have destroyed all the 
property within one hundred yards of the British garrison. The volunteers were 
sent down eight miles below the fort, and have destroyed and burnt all the pos- 
sessions belonging to the Canadians and savages. The Commander-in-chief led 
his light infantry within pistol shot of the garrison to find out the strength 
and situation of the place, and in hopes of bringing a shot from our inveterate but silent 
enemies. They were too cowardly to come up to our expectations, and all we got by in- 
sulting the colors of Britain was a flag, the amount of which was. that the commanding 
officer of the fort felt himself as a soldier much injured by seeing His Majesty's colors 
insulted, and if such conduct was continued he would be under the necessity of making a 
proper resentment ; upon which the Commander-in-chief demanded the post, it being the 
right of the United States, which was refused. A small party of dragoons were sent over 
the river to burn and destroy all the houses, corn &c.. that were under cover of the fort, 
which was effected. 




BATTLE HKLU ()!■ hALI.EN TIMUEK. 
Ancient River Channel in fore and middle uround. Presiiue Isle, where the battle betan. 
obscures the Mauniee River on the Rit;ht. I.ookini; liastward April 1.5. 1902. 

Camp Deposit "2:id .Vugust, K'.M. Having burned and destroyed everything con- 
tiguous to the fort [British Fort Miami] without any opposition, the legion took up 
the line of march, and in the evening encamped on this ground, being the same they 
marched from the '.iOth. It may be proper to remark that we have heard nothing from 
the savages, or their allies the Canadians, since the action. The honors of war have been 
paid to the remains of those brave fellows who fell on the 20th, by a discharge of three 
rounds from sixteen pieces of ordnance, charged with shells. The ceremony was per- 
formed with the greatest solemnity. 

Camp Thirty-two Mile Tree' 24th August. 1704. The wounded being well pro- 
vided for with carriages. &c., the legion took up the line of march, and halted in their 
old camp about two o'clock in the evening without any accident. In this day's march we 
destroyed all the corn and burnt all the houses we met with, which were very considerable. 

Camp Fifteen Mile Treet 2."nh August, 1704. The legion continued their march, 
and encamped on this ground at three o'clock P. M. This morning a few of the volun- 

* Council Elm at the Grand Rapids of the Maumee. about thirty-two miles below Defiance. Ohio. 
'At or a little above the present Village of Napoleon, Henry County. Ohio. 



196 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



teers remained in the rear of the army, and soon after the legion took up their line of 
march they saw eight Aborigines coming into our camp; they fell in with them, killed 
one and wounded two. 




BATTLE FIELD OF FALLEN TIMBER. 

Lookini! south November 13, 19(12. up the Maumee River seen on the left. Pres'jue Isle in cen- 
tral distance. Ancient deserted Channel of the Maumee on the riEht. Maumee Valley Electric Railway, 
built in 1901. on the left. 

General Wayne began the Battle on Presqu' ile. and the Aborigines were rapidly driven to the 
lower lands, and down the river. On the right side of the public road at the foot of Presqu' ile is situated 
Turkeyfoot Rock, a fair size Corniferous Limestone boulder, by which, tradition says, Chief Turkey- 
foot was killed while tryin« to rally the retreating' .'\borii;ines. see ante page (94. 

This place was surveyed, in common with the other historic places along the Maucnee River, in 
1H88 by O. M. Poe. Colonel of Engineers and Brevet Brigadier General United States Army, who reported 
favorably to the purchase here of twelve and one-third acres of land, mostly on Presqu' ile and west of it. 
and the erection of a monument, all at a cost of about $17,000. But Congress has not made any appropri- 
ation for this purpose. 

The surveys of these historic places were the result of the work of The Maumee Valley Monument 
Association, which was incorporated 38 July. 1SS5 ; and which was succeeded in 1899 by the Maumee 
Valley Pioneer and Historical Association. In the summer of 1903 this Association acquired title to a 
small portion of land around Turkeyfoot Rock which is now established on a permanent foundation. It 
is the desire of this Association to acquire title to this Battle Field, and to care for it. 



Camp Nine Mile Tree* 20th August, r7*J4. The legion continued their march, and 
after burning and destroying all the houses and corn on their route, arrived on this 
ground at two o'clock, being one of our encamping places when on our advance. 



*Just above the present Florida. Henry County, Ohio, nine miles below Defiance, 



GENERAL WAYNE'S ARMY AGAIN AT FORT DEFIANCE. 197 



All tin- woundi'd that wrro 



arried on litters and horseback were sent forward to 
Kort Defiance. Doctor Carmichael 
throuxh neglect had the wounded men 
of the artillery and cavalry thrown into 
wagons, among spades, axes, picks, &c.. 
in consequence of which the wounded 
are now lying in extreme pain, besides 
the fre(]uent shocks of a wagon on the 
worst of roads. The wounded of the 
third sub-legion are under obligations 
to Doctor Haywood for his attention 
and humanity to them in their distress. 
Camp Fort Defiance 27th August, 
171I4. The legion continued their route, 
and at three o'clock were encamped on 
the Miami [Maumee Kiver, right bank, 
a little below the mouth of the Tiffin] 
one mile above the garrison [Fort De- 
fiance]. On this day's march we de- 
stroyed all the corn and burnt all the 
houses on our route, The wounded 
are happily fixed in the garrison, and 
the doctors say there is no great danger 
of any of them dying. 

Fort Defiance 28th August, 1791. 
The Commander - in - Chief thinks pro- 
per to continue on this ground for 
some time, to refresh the troops and 
send for supplies. There is corn, 
beans, pumpkins, &c. , within four 
miles of this place to furnish the troops 

three weeks. 

General Orders. 
The Quartermaster General will issue one 
Kill of whisky to ever.v man belonginy to the 
Federal army (this morninE' as a small com- 
pensation for the faticues they have under- 
gone for several days past. Major General 
Scott will direct his quartermasters to attend 
accordingly with their respective returns. 
The Commander-in-Chief wishes it to be fairly 
understood that when he mentioned or may 
mention the Federal army in General Orders, 
that term comprehends and includes the legion 
and mounted volunteers as one compound 
army, and that the term legion comprehends the regular tfoops. agreeable to the organization by the 
President of the L'nited States, and by which appellation they are known and recognized on all occasions 
when acting by themselves, and separate from the mounted volunteers, .^s the army will probably 
remain on this ground for some time, vaults must be dug, and every precaution taken to keep the 
encampment clean and healthy. 

The legion wilt be reviewed the day after to-morrow at ten o'clock. In the interim the arms must 
be clean and varnished, and the clothing of the soldiers repaired and washed, to appear in the most 
military condition possible; but in these necessary preparations for a review great caution must be used 
by the commanding officers of wings, not to permit too inany men at one lime to take their locks off, or 
to be engaged in washing. 

All the horses belonging to the quarter master and contractors' department, in possession of the 
legion, must be returned this afternoon. 



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General Wayne kept his army secure from be- 
ing surprised by the stealthy enemy. This gave 
rise to the statement by the savayes that he never 
slept. The rapidity and security of his army's 
movement ihrouKh the enemy's wilderness stronc- 
hold, caused the savages to call him the wind ; and 
after his impetuous, and to them disastrous, charge 
at the Battle of Fallen Timber, the survivors called 
him The 'Whirlwind' probably in comparison 
to the wind that had prostrated tlie forest at the 
battle Field. The engraving is taken from The 
American Pioneer, n, 29t\ 



798 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



This is the first fair day we have had since we began to return to this place, it 
having rained nearly constant for five days, which was the occasion of fatiguing the 
troops very much. 

Fort Defiance 2i)th August, 1 iit4. We are as yet encamped on this ground; all 
the pack-horses belonging to the quarter-master and contractors' department moved 
this mor-ning for Fort Recovery, escorted by Bigadier General Todd's brigade of 




Looking northwest November 13. 1902, across Maumee River to site of the British Fort Miami, 
bnilt in April, 1794, and surrendered to American troops July 11, 1796. The road up the distant river bank 
passes through the yet existing earthworks. 

The United States surveyor of the historic places alonu the Maumee River in 18H8, recommended 
to Congress that 5 68-lfX) acres of land including the site of this Fort be purchased and a monument erect- 
ed, all at a probable cost of $7..5tK). Congress has not made any appropriation for this purpose. 



mounted volunteers, for the purpose of bringing supplies to this place. It is said the 
legion will continue in their present camp until the return of this escort. Our spies 
were yesterday twelve miles up this river [the Maumee] and they bring information 
that the cornfields continue as far as they were up the river. 

Fort Defiance :iOth August, 1794. This day at ten o'clock, the Commander-in- 
Chief began to review the troops at the posts occupied by the different corps, and I am 
led to believe that he was well pleased at their appearance. Major Hughes, Captain 
Slough, Captain Van gensselaer and Lieutenant Younghusband obtained a furlough 
to go home to repair their healths, being, as they pretended, very much injured by the 
service. I believe the two first and the last mentioned, if they never return will not 
be lamented by the majority of the army. 

The out-guards were much alarmed this morning at the mounted volunteers firing 
oft all their arms without our having any notice. 

General Orders. Headquarters 31st August, 1794. 

A general court-martial to consist of live members, will sit to-morrow morning at ten o'clock, for 
the trial of such prisoners as may be brought before them. Major Shaylor, President, Lieutenant Wade, 
Judge .Advocate. 

The disorderly and dangerous practice of permitting the soldiery to pass the chain of sentinels, on 
pretext of going after vegetables, can no longer be suffered. In future, on issuing day, only one man 



DISCIPLINE. STRENGTHENING OF FORT DEFIANCE. 199 



from each iness. pioiioi ly aniii'tl. and corninaiuled by the respective sub-leifionary 'juarler masters, will 
be sent as a detachment for vegetables, to march at 7 o'clocit in the morninu- 

The pack-horses shall foraye daily inider protection of a squadron of dragoons; every precantion 
must be taken to uuard auainst surprise. Any non-commissioned officer or soldier found half a mile 
without the chain of sentinels, without a pass sit^ned by the commandint; ofltcer of wiiiKS or sub-lcuion, 
or from Ueadtiuarters, shall be deemed a deserter, and punished accordinifly. Every sentinel sulferinif 
a non-commissioned officer or private to pass without such written permit, except a party on command, 
shall receive fifty lashes for each and every violation of this order. 

A fatiuue party of three hundred non-commissioned ofhcers and privates, with a proportion of* 
commissioned ofhcers, will parade at 7 o'clock to-morrow morninu, furnished with one hundred axes, one 
bundled picks, and one hundred spades aitd shovels, with arms, commanded by Major Burbeck. 

A part of this order was in consequence of three men of the first sub-legion being 
either killed or taken by the enemy when out a foraging, which was done some time 
since in a very disorderly manner, at the same time liable to the attacks of the enemy 
without having it in their power to make the smallest resistance. 

I'ort Defiance 1st September, 17!ll. This morning the fatigue party ordered yes- 
terday began to fortify and strengthen the fort and make it of sufficient strength to 
be proof against heavy metal. The work now on hand is a glacis with fascines, and a 

ditch twelve feet wide and eight feet 



deep. The blockhouses are to be 
made bomb-proof. 

Tort Defiance, 'ind September. 
ITill. Every effective man of the 
light troops in the redoubts round 
the camp was ordered this morning 
to make three fascines. 

The foraging party that went out 
this day brought in as much corn, 
dry enough to grate, as will suffice 
the troops three days. The soldiery 
get sick very fast with the fever and 
ague, and have it severely. 

Fort Defiance 8rd September. 
1704. Nothing but hard fatigues 
going forward in all quarters. The 
garrison [the Fort] begins to put on 
the appearance of strength, and will 
in a few days be able to stand the 
shock of heavy cannon. The troops 
are very sickly, and I believe the 
longer we continue in this place the 
worse it will be. 

Fort Defiance 4th September, 1794. 

tween.which there was a Gate. The Rivers were approached Xhe number of our sick increases 

for water at their junction under protection of triangular , ., ... , , . 

„ ,. . J ,, , , .,-v r,- . . daily ; provision is nearly exhausted ; 

Palisade and underground way. The Ditches, sites of , 

Blockhouses and Palisades, yet remain 1190«) in fair out- 'he whisky has been out for some 
line. From Researches and Surveys by Charles E. Slo- time, which makes the hours pass 
cum. Compare American Pioneer, volume ii. pages 386- heavily to the tune of Roslin Castle 
87, and copies therefrom. , '. ... 

when in our present situation they 

ought to go to the quick step of the merry man down to his grave. Hard duty and scant 
allowance will cause an army to be low spirited, particularly the want of a little of the wet. 
If it was not for the forage we get from the enemy's fields, the rations would not 
be sufficient to keep soul and body together. 




GROUND PLAN OF FORT DEFIANCE. 
Distance between opposite Palisades. \00 feet : 
length of Palisades between Blockhouses, seventy-five 
feet. The entrance was on the southwest side by means of 
a Drawbridge tliat was raised and lowered over the Ditch 
by chains working over the top of the Palisade timbers, be- 



200 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIM. 




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* Fort Dehance was the strongest fortification built by General Wayne — where he could defy the 
hostile Abori(iines and the British — and he styled it 'an Important and Formidable Fort." His careful 
study of the strong British Fort Miami induced the strengthening of Fort Deliance after the return of 
the army from the Battle of Fallen Timber, it being thought possible, if not probable, that the Aborigines 



LIEUTENANT BOYER'S DIARY CONTINUED. 201 

Fori Uetiance .")ih September. 17!ll. No news ot the escort ; this day the troops 
drew no flour, and I fear we will shortly draw no beef; however, as long as the issuing of 
beef continues the troops will not sufler. as there is still corn in abundance along the 
river. 

Fort Detiance lith September. 17!M. The work on the [Fort] garrison, goes on with 
life and will be completed in a few days. The weather very wet and cold ; this morning 
there is a small frost. 

Fort Defiance 7th September, irill. Nothing of consequence took place this day. 
Our sick are getting better. 

Fort Defiance .Sth September. I I'm. This day brings us information of the escort ; 
by express we learn it will be with us to-morrow. It will be fortunate for us should 
provisions arrive, as we have not drawn any flour since the 7th instant ; nevertheless 
we have the greatest abundance of vegetables. 

Fort Defiance ilth September. 17i>4. The escort has not yet arrived, but will be 
in to-morrow, (ieneral Scott with the residue is ordered to march to-morrow morning 
at reveille. The l"ommander-in-("hief engaged with the volunteers [Ciencral Scott's com- 
mand] to bring on the flour from C.reenville on their own horses, for which they are to 
receive three dollars per hundred, delivered at the Miami \'illages. [the present Fort 
Wayne. Indiana]. 

Fort Defiance 10th September. 17'.)4. The escort arrived this day about ;! o'clock, 
and brought with them two hundred kegs of flour and nearly two hundred head of 
cattle. Captain Preston and Ensigns Strother. Bowyer and Lewis, joined us this 
day with the escort. 'We received no liquor by this command, and I fancy we shall 
not receive any until we get into winter quarters, which will make the fatigues of the 
campaign appear double, as I am persuaded the troops would much rather live on 
half rations of beef and bread, provided they could obtain their full rations of whiskey. 
The vegetables are as yet in the greatest abundance. The soldiers of Captain William 
Lewis' company are in perfect health, the wounded excepted. 

Fort Defiance 11th September, 17!U. This day General Barber's brigade of 
mounted volunteers marched for Fort Recovery for provisions, to meet us at the Miami 
villages [the present Fort Wayne] by the '.iOth. 



mi^ht rally and, aided again liy tlie British, endeavor to deslroy it. h was principally built between 
ttie Sth Aueusi and the 14lh September. 1794. 

Outside the Palisades and Blockhouses there was a ulacis or wall of earth eight feet thick, which 
sloped outwards and upwards, and was supported on its outei side by a log wall and fascines. A ditch 
encircled the entire works excepting! the east side of the east Blockhouse which was near the precipi- 
tous bank of the Auelaise River alone which was a line of faeots. The Ditch was fifteen feel wide and 
eiyht feet deep. It was protected by pickets eleven feet lony and nearly a foot apart, secured to the 
loK walls, and projectiiiK over the Ditch at an angle of forty-five degrees. The outlines of these earth- 
works are yet well maintained. 

Generally this Fort was garrisoned by about one hundred men. with an armament of several 
small field cannon which had been dismounted and brought through the forest on the backs of horses. 
Captain William March Snook commanded it for three or four months, and Major (afterwards Colonel) 
Thomas Hunt about eighteen months. It was probably dismantled and abandoned by I'nited Stales 
soldiers about the 1st June. 1796. 

The site has continued the property of the A'illage and the! City of Dehance, and it is freely open 
as a Public Park. This Fort Dehance Park was surveyed, in common with the other historic places 
along the Maumee River, in .August. IHKK, under the supervision of Colonel O. .\I. Poe. of the Corps of 
Kngineers of the United States ..\rmy. atul in obedience to .Act of Congress approved 24th May. IMHM. A 
monument was recommended for this place to cost live thousand dollars: but the bill was not passed. 
John S. Snook, M. C. introduced a bill to the United States House of Representatives February 10. 
I9t)4, for the appropriation of $2.i.tXX) for the election of a monument in this Park to the honor of General 
Anthony Wayne. The Trustees of The Detiance Public Library, by permission of the City Council, 
located the Carnegie Library building in this Park west of the Earthworks in 191M. See Chapter on 
Libraries. 



202 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Fort Defiance Tith September. 17'.M. This day the pioneers were ordered to cut 
the road up the [north side of the] Miami [Maumee] under the direction of the sub- 
legionary quartermaster ; they are to commence at seven o'clock to-morrow morning. 

Fort Defiance Kith September. 17!(4. This day a general order was issued, setting 
forth that the legion would march to-morrow morning precisely at seven o'clock, every 
department to prepare themselves accordingly. The squaw that Wells captured on the 
11 th .\ugust. was this day liberated and sent home. Three soldiers of the 1st and three 
of the 'ird sub-legions deserted last night ; sixteen volunteers pursued them ; they are to 
receive twenty dollars if they bring them in dead or alive. 

Camp Ho Mile Tree* 14th September. 17!M. The legion began their march for 
the Miami villages at 7 o'clock this morning and encamped on this ground at '^ o'clock, 
after marching in the rain eight hours. 

Camp 'ilird Mile Treef loth September. 17il4. The legion marched at U and en- 
camped at 4 o'clock. Captain Preston, who commanded the light troops in the rear, 
got lost and lay out from the army all night with a large part of the baggage. 

Camp XWd Mile Tree+ Kith September, 171)4. We encamped on this ground at 4 
o'clock, after passing over very rough roads, and woods thick with brush, the timber very 
lofty and the land generally rich and well watered. 

Camp Miami Villages|| 17th September. 17!I4. The army halted on this ground at f) 
o'clock P. M.. being 47 miles from Fort Defiance and 14 from our last encampment , 
there are nearly five hundred acres of cleared land lying in one body on the rivers St. 
Joseph, St. Mary and the Miami [Maumee] ; there are fine points of land contiguous to 
these rivers adjoining the cleared land. The rivers are navigable for small craft in the 
summer, and in the winter there is water sufficient for large boats, the land adjacent 
fertile and well timbered, and from every appearance it has been one of the largest 
settlements made by the Aborigines in this country. 

Camp Miami Villages 18th September. l'7i)4. This day the Commander-in-Chief 
reconnoitered the ground and determined on the spot to build a fort. The troops 
fortified their camps, as they halted too late yesterday to cover themselves. Four de- 
serters from the British came to us this day ; they bring information that the Aborigines 
are encamped eight miles below the British fort [Miami] to the number of 1600. 

Camp Miami 'Villages 19th September, 1794. This day we hear that General Bar- 
ber's brigade of mounted volunteers are within twelve miles of this place, and will be in 
early to-morrow with large supplies of flour ; we have had heavy rains, the wind north- 
west, and the clouds have the appearance of emptying large quantities on this western 
world. 

Camp Miami 'Villages 20th September, 1794. Last night it rained violently, and 
the wind blew from the northwest harder than I knew heretofore. General Barber with 
his command arrived in camp about 9 o'clock this morning with -i'^S kegs of flour, each 
containing 100 pounds. 

Camp Miami 'Villages 21st September. 1794. The Commander-in-Chief reviewed 
the legion this day at 1 o'clock. All the quartermaster's horses set off this morning, 
escorted by the mounted volunteers, for Greenville and are to return the soonest 
possible. We have not one quart of salt on this ground, which occasions bad and dis- 
agreeable living until the arrival of the next escort. 

Camp Miami 'Villages 22nd September, 1794. Nothing of consequence took place 
to-day except that the troops drew no salt with their fresh provisions. 



■ Near the mouth of Platter Creek, westward from Defiance eleven and a half miles. 
1 Nearly opposite the present 'Village of Antwerp, Pauldintf County. Ohio. 
T Near the east line of Milan Township. Allen County, Indiana. 
llAt the head of the Maumee River. See map ante page 97. 



BEGINNING CONSTRUGTION OF FORT WAYNE. 203 

Camp Miami V'ilhiKes 2l!ril S«pliMiiber, 171II. (''our deserters from the Uritish 
garrison arrived at our ramp; they mention thai the Aborigines are still embodied on the 
Miami [Maumee] nine miles below the British fort [at the mouth of Swan Creek] ; that 
they are somewhat divided in opinion, some are for peace and others for war. 

Camp Miami VillaRes 21th September. 17!tl. This day the work commenced on 
the Fort, which 1 am apprehensive will take some time to complete. A keg of whiskey 
containing ten gallons was purchased this day for eighty dollars, a sheep for ten dollars ; 
three dollars was offered for one pint of salt, but it could not be obtained for less 
than six. 

Camp Miami Vill.iges ■i.")th September. 1 i'.ll. I.iinilenaut Blue of the dragoons was 
this day arrested by [on complaint of] Ensign Johnson of the -fth sub-legion, but a 
number of their friends interfering the dispute was settled upon I^ieutenant Blue asking 
Ensign Johnson's pardon. 

Camp Miami Villages 3(ith September. ITiM. M'Clelland. one of our spies, with 
a small party came in this evening from Fort Defiance, and brings information that the 
enemy are troublesome about the Fort, and that they have killed some of our men under 
its walls., Si.xteen .Aborigines were seen to day near this place ; a small party went in 
pursuit of them. I have not heard what discoveries they have made. 

Camp Miami Villages 'iTth September, IT!)!. No intelligence of the enemy. The 
rain fell considerably last night ; this morning the wind is southwest. 

Camp Miami Villages 28th September, 1TS)4, The weather proves colder. 

Camp Miami Villages 30th September, 17!)4. Salt and whisky were drawn by the 
troops this day, and a number of the soldiers became much intoxicated, they having stolen 
a quantity of liquor from the quartermaster. 

Camp Miami Villages 1st October, 1794. The volunteers appear to be uneasy, and 
have refused to do duty. They are ordered by the Commander-in-Chief to march to- 
morrow for Greenville to assist the pack-horses, which I am told they are determined not 
to do. 

Camp Miami Villages 2d October. 17!)4. This morning the volunteers refused to go 
on command, and demanded of General Scott to conduct them home ; he ordered them 
to start with General Barber, and if they made the smallest delay they should lose all 
their pay and be reported to the war office as revolters. This had the desired effect and 
they went of?, not in good humor. 

Camp Miami Villages ."id October. 1794. Every officer, non-commissioned officer 
and soldier belonging to the square are on fatigue this day, hauling trees on the hind 
wheels of wagons; the first day we got an extra gill [of whiskey] per man, which appears 
to be all the compensation at this time in the power of the Commander-in-Chief to make 
the troops. 

Camp Miami Villages 1th October. 1794. This morning we had the hardest frost I 
ever saw in the middle of December ; it was like a small snow ; there was ice in our 
camp-kettles three-fourths of an inch thick. The fatigues go on with velocity, considering 
the rations the troops are obliged to live on. 

Camp Miami Villages Mh October. 1794. The weather extremely cold, and hard 
frosts; the wind northwest. Everything quiet, and nothing but harmony and peace 
throughout the camp, which is something uncommon. 

Camp Miami Villages (ith October. 1794. Plenty and quietness the same as yester- 
day. The volunteers engaged to work on the Fort, for which they are to receive three 
gills of whisky per man per day ; their employment is digging the ditch and filling up the 
parapet. 

Camp Miami Villages 7th October. 1794. The volunteers are soon tired of work and 
have refused to labor any longer ; they have stolen and killed seventeen beeves in the 
course of these two days past. 



204 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 




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*Fort Wayne was principally built under direct supervision of General Anthony Wayne between the 
18th September and 22nd October, 1794. There were but two blockhouses. The palisaded enclosure 
was about 150 feet square. The Officers' quarters were at the north ; the Quartermaster's quarters, with 
subordinates, at the west, or front ; the Cooks" quarters at the east ; and the Stores at the south. 



GENERAL WAYNE AND ARMY AT HEAD OF MAUMEE. 205 

Camp Miami VillaRes Hlh October. 1701. The troops drew biit half rations of flour 
this day. The cavalry and other horses die very fast, not less than four or five per day. 

Camp Miami Villages i>th October. I7'.)4. The volunteers have agreed to build a 
blockhouse in front of the Fort. 

Camp Miami Villages Uth October, 17!)4. A Canadian (Rozelle) [Antoine Lasalle] 
with a flag [of truce] arrived this evening ; his business was to deliver up three prisoners 
in exchange for his brother, who was taken on the 20th August. He brings information 
that the Aborigines are in council with (lirty and M'Kee near the fort of Detroit : that all 
the tribes are for peace except the Shawneese who are determined to prosecute the war. 

Camp Miami Villages I2th October. 17i)4. The mounted volunteers of Kentucky 
marched for Greenville, to be mustered and dismissed the service of the United States 
army, they being of no further service therein. 

Camp Miami Villages liith October. 1794. Captain Gibson marched this day, and 
took with him a number of horses for Fort Recovery to receive supplies of provisions. 

Camp Miami Villages 14th October, 17!>4. Nothing particular this day. 

Camp Miami Villages I.")th October. 1704. The Canadian that came in on the 11th. 
left us this day accompanied by his brother; they have promised to furnish the garrison 
at Defiance with stores at a moderate price, which, if performed, will be a great advan- 
tage to the officers and soldiers of that post. 

Camp Miami Villages Kith October. 1704. Nothing new; weather wet and cold. 
wind from the northwest. The troops healthy in general. 

Camp Miami Villages 17th October. 1704. This day Captain Clibson arrived with a 
large quantity of flour, beef and sheep. 

Camp Miami Villages. 18th October, 1704. Captain Springer and Brock, with all 
the pack-horses, marched with the cavalry this morning for Greenville, and the foot 
[infantry] for [Fort] Recovery, the latter to return with the smallest delay with a supply 
of provisions for this post and I )efiance. 



The Commandants were : Colonel John Francis Hamtramck. 22nd October. ITW. to 17th May. 1796; 
he dieii al Detroit, 11th ,Aiiril, 1803. Major (afterwards Colonel) Thomas Hunt. 2oth May. 1796, to 1799? 
He broHKht his family from Massachusetts to the Fort in 1797. His son General John I-;. Hunt, was born 

here 1st .\pril. 1798. Major Whipple^ Major Thomas Pasteuer? Major Zebulon M. Pike. Captain 

Nathan Heald. (Captain James Rhea, to Kith September. 1812. Captain Huuh Moore. 1812. Captain Joseph 
Jenkinson. 18i:l. The Manmee reeion was at this date in Military District No. 8. Captain (brevet Major) 
John Whistler commanded from 1814 to 1817. He was probal)Iy there in the early summer of 1812. The 
Fort was generally rebuilt by him in 1814-15. and materially changed. He infnse<i new life in the garrison, 
and into the town as well. Major Whistler came to .America in Burgoyne's army and \vas taken prisoner at 
Saratoga. He was in St. Clair's aiiny at its defeat in 1791. Was aspiring and won his commissions from 
merit. He was the last commander of Fort St. Marys in 1814. Hedied at St. Louis about 1826. Captain 
.afterwards Major and Colonel by brevet) Josiah H. Vose commanded Fort Wayne from 1817 until its 
abandonment 19th April, 1819, when it was in Department No. 5, yet subordinate to Detroit. Colonel 
John Johnston wrote in 18.59 that Major Vose was the only army officer known to him in 1812 who 
publicly professed Christianity. He was constant in assembling his men on Sunday, reading the Scriptures 
to them and discoursing thereon. He died at New Orleans l.'nh July. 1815. — Lossings War o/ 1812. 
page 31H. 

The later garrisons of Fort Wayne numbered as follows: 1st January. 1K\3. 61 soldiers; Early in 
1812. 85 according to the Peace Establishment: 181.5. SO: 31st December. 1817. .56; October, 1818, 91 ; 19th 
April. 1819. 91 men. viz: Major \'ose : 1 Post Surgeon; 2 Captains; 1 1st Lieutenant; 5 Sergeants; 4 
Corporals; 4 Musicians (2 tifers. 1 snare drummer and 1 bass drummer) ; and 74 Matrosses (artillerymen; 
and Privates. The artillery then consisted of one six and one twelve pounder. 

All that is now left to the public of the site of Fort Wayne beside streets, is a small triangular piece 
of ground at the northeast corner of Main and Clay Streets, narrowed on the north by the New York, 
Chicago and St. Louis Railway along the line of the former Wabash and Erie Canal. 

In an appendix of the Annual Report of ithe Chief of United States Engineers for 1889. It is re- 
commended that a monument to cost $5.CKX)be erected here; but Congress has not made up to this time 
(1904) any appropriation for this purpose. Grand .\rmy Posts have since mounted a more modern cannon 
on a high pedestal which is inscribed m memory of General Wayne, and of later wars. 



206 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Camp Miami Villages lOth October. 1704. This day the troops were not ordered 
for labor, being the first day for four weeks, and accordingly attended divine service. 

Camp Miami Villages 20th October. 1794. An express arrived this day with dis- 
patches to the Commander-in-Chief; the contents are kept secret. 

A court-martial to sit this day for the trial of Lieutenant Charles Hyde, 

Camp Miami Villages 21st October, 1794. This day were read the proceedings of a 
general court-martial held on Lieutenant Charles Hyde (yesterday) : was found not 
guilty of the charges exhibited against him, and was therefore acquitted. 

Camp Miami Villages 22d October, 1794. This morning at 7 o'clock the following 
companies, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel-Commandant Hamtramck of the 
1st sub-legion, took possession of this place, viz: Captain Kingsbury's 1st; Captain 
Greaton's 2d ; Captain Spark's and Captain Reed's r!d ; Captain Preston's 4th ; and 
Captain Porter's, of artillery ; and after firing fifteen rounds of cannon [one for each of 
the States then in the Union] Colonel Hamtramck gave it the name of Fort Wayne. 

Camp Miami Villages 2f!d October. 1794. The general fatigue of the garrison 
ended this day and Colonel Hamtramck. with the troops under his command to furnish 
[finish] it as he may think fit. All the soldiers' huts are completed except covering, and 
the weather is favorable for that work. 

Camp Miami Villages 24th October, 1794. This day the troops drew but half 
rations of beef and flour, the beef very bad. 

Camp Miami Villages 2.')th October, 1794. Nothing extraordinary the same as 
yesterday. 

This evening Captain Springer with the escort arrived with a supply of flour and 
salt. \ Frenchman and a half Aborigine came to headquarters, but where they are 
from or their business we cannot learn but that it is of a secret nature. 

Camp Miami Villages 26th October, 1794. Nothing occurring today except an 
expectation to march the day after to-morrow. 

Camp Miami Villages 27th October, 1794. Agreeable to general orders of this day, 
we will march for Greenville to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock. 

Camp Nine miles [southeast] from Fort Wayne 28th October, 1794. The legion 
took up the line of march at 9 o'clock and arrived here without anything particular 
occurring. 

Camp Twenty-one miles [southeast] from Fort Wayne 29th October, 1794, The 
troops proceeded on their march at sunrise, and arrived on this ground at half past 
3 o'clock, our way was through rich and well timbered land, the weather cold and much 
like for rain. 

Camp Southwest side of St. Mary River 30th October. 1794. The legion proceeded 
on their march at 7 o'clock, and arrived here at sunset ; continual heavy rain all day. 

Camp Girty Town* 81st October, 1794. The troops took up their line of march at 
sunrise, and arrived here three hours after night, through heavy rain, 

Greenville 2nd November 1794. This evening the legion arrived here, where they 
marched from 28th July, 1794. 

We were saluted with twenty-four rounds from a six-pounder. Our absence from 
this ground amounted to three months and six days. And so ends the expedition of Gen- 
eral 'Wayne's campaign. 



*Froni James Girty ttie trader. Site of the present City of St. Marys, Aunlaise County, Ohio. 

W'CKctRY handle WRAPPtO 




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R A WH f o e. 



FORT DEFIANCE. BEGINNING AND SURROUNDINGS. 207 

cii.\i'Ti:i\' VIII. 

Genekai. Wayne's Reports — Treaty at Greenville. IVIM, 1795. 

General Wavnc leiiortcd to the Secretarx' ol War Irom time to time, 
and siu h reports as are of interest to this region are here given; 

Hkad Quarters. Grand Glaise [Fort Defiance] Uth August, 1794. 

Sir ; I have the honor to inform you, that the army under my command took posses- 
sion of this very important post on the morning of the Hth instant- the enemy, on the pre- 
ceding evening, having aljandoned all their settlements, towns, and villages, with such 
apparent marks of surprise and precipitation, as to amount to a positive proof that our 
approach was not discovered by them until the arrival of a Mr. Newman, of the yuarler- 
master General's department, who deserted from the army near the St. Mary [Kiver] 
and gave them every information in his power as to our force, the object of our destina- 
tion, state of provision, number and size of the artillery, &c.. &c., circumstances and 
facts that he had but too good an opportunity of knowing, from acting as a field quarter- 
master on the march, and at the moment of his desertion. Hence, I have good grounds 
to conclude that the defection of this \illain prevented the enemy from receiving a fatal 
blow at this place, when least expected.* 

I had made such demonstrations, for a length of time previously to taking up our line 
of march, as to induce the savages to expect our advance by the route of the Miami vill- 
ages to the left, or towards Roche de Bout by the right ; which feints appear to have pro- 
duced the desired effect by drawing the attention of the enemy to those points, and gave 
an opening for the army to approach undiscovered by a devious route, i. e. in a central 
direction, and which would be impracticable for an army, except in a dry season such as 
then presented. 

Thus sir. we have gained possession of the grand emporium of the hostile .■\borigines 
of the West, without loss of blood. The very extensive and highly cultivated fields and 
gardens show the work of many hands. The margins of these beautiful rivers, the Mia- 
mies of the lake [Maumee] and Au Glaize, appear like one continued village for a number 
of miles both above and below this place [chief Blue Jacket's towns on right bank of 
Auglaise River one mile above its mouth, and on left bank of Maumee one and a half 
miles below mouth of Auglaise] nor have I ever before beheld such immense fields of corn 
in any part of .\merica, from Canada to Florida. 

We are now employed in completing a strong stockade fort, with four good block 
houses by way of bastions, at the confluence of .\u Glaize and the Miamies [Maumee] 
which I have called Defiance, f .\nother fort was also erected on the bank of the [Ri\er] 
St. Mary twenty-four miles advanced of Recovery, which was named .\dams and endowed 
with provision and a proper garrison. 

Everything is now prepared for a forward move to-morrow morning towards Roche 
de Bout, or foot of the Rapids, where the British have a regular fortification well supplied 
with artillery and strongly garrisoned, in the vicinity of which the fate of the campaign 
will probably be decided ; as, from the best and most recent intelligence the enemy are 
there collected in force, and joined by the militia of Detroit. &c.. &c.. possessed of ground 
very unfavorable for cavalry to act in. Vet. notwithstanding this unfavorable intelligence, 



*This deserter, Newman, was tinaily arrested at Pittsburc and sent down the Otiio to Headquarters. 

t RecardinR the naming' of this Fort, tradition says that General Wayne, as the walls assumed the 
desired form, remarked that he conld here safely defy the savaces. the British, and all the devils. Then, 
said General Charles Scott who was present, call it Fort Defiance. 



208 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

and unpleasant circumstances of ground, I do not despair of success from the spirit and 
ardor of the troops, from the generals down to the privates, both of the legion and 
mounted volunteers. 

Vet I have thought proper to offer the enemy a last overture of peace; and as they 
have everything that is dear and interesting now at stake, I have reason to expect that 
they will listen to the proposition mentioned in the enclosed copy of an address* 
despatched yesterday by a special flag, who I sent under circumstances that will ensure 
his safe return, and which may eventually spare the effusion of much human blood. 

But, should war be their choice, that blood be upon their own heads. America 
shall no longer be insulted with impunity. To an all-powerful and just God I therefore 
commit myself and gallant army, and have the honor to be. with every consideration of 
respect and esteem, Your most obedient and very humble servant, 

Anthony Wayne. 

The Hon. Major General Knox, Secretary of War. 

The Report of General Wayne after the Battle of Fallen Timber is 
as follows : 

Head Quarters. Grand Glaise [Fort Defiance] 28th August, 171M. 
Sir : It is with infinite pleasure that I now announce to you the brilliant success of 
the Federal army under my command, in a general action with the combined force of the 
hostile Aborigines, and a considerable number of the volunteers and militia of Detroit, on 
the 20th instant, on the banks of the Miami [Maumee] in the vicinity of the British post 
and garrison, at the foot of the Rapids. 



* To the Delawares. Shawanese, Miamis. and Wyandots. and to each and every one of them, and 
to all other nations of Aborigines northwest of the Ohio, whom it may concern : 

I, Anthony Wayne, Major General and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal army now at Grand 
Glaise [ Fort Defiance! and Commissioner Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, for settling 
the terms upon which a permanent and lasting peace shall be made with each and every of the 
hostile tribes, or nations of Aborigines northwest of the Ohio, and of the said United States, actuated by 
the purest principles of humanity, and urged by pity for the errors into which bad and designing men 
have led you; from the head of my army, now in possession of your abandoned villages and settlements, 
do hereby once more extend the friendly hand of peace towards you. and invite each and every of the 
hostile tribes of Aborigines to appoint deputies to meet me and my army, without delay, between this 
place and Roche de Bout, in order to settle the preliminaries of a lasting peace which may eventually, 
and soon, restore to you the Delawares. Miamis. Shawanese, and all other tribes and nations lately 
settled at this place and on the margins of the Miami I Maumee ] and au Glaise rivers, your late grounds 
and possessions, and to preserve you and your distressed and hapless women and children from danger 
and famine during the present fall and ensuing winter. 

The arm of the Ignited States is strong and powerful, but they love mercy and kindness more than 
war and desolation. 

And, to remove any doubts or apprehensions of danger to the persons of the deputies whom you 
may appoint to meet this army, I hereby pledge my sacred honor for their safety and return, and send 
Christopher Miller [see ante page 1H71 an adopted Shawanee. and a Shawanee warrior whom I took 
prisoner two days ago. as a flag, who will advance in their front to meet nie. 

Mr. Miller was taken prisoner by a party of my warriors six moons since, and can testify to you 
the kindness which I have shown to your people my prisoners, that is hve warriors and two women, who 
are now all safe and well at Greenville. 

But. should this invitation be disregarded and my flag. Mr. Miller, be detained or injured. I will 
iuiinediately order all those prisoners to be put to death, without distinction, and some of them are 
known to belong to the first families of your nations. 

Brothers: Be no longer deceived or led astray by the false promises and language of the bad 
white men at the foot of the Rapids; they have neither the power nor the inclination to protect you. No 
longer shut your eyes to your true interest and happiness, nor your ears to this last overture of peace. 
But. in pity to your innocent women and children, come and prevent the further effusion of your blood ; 
let them experience the kindness and friendship of the United States of America, and the invaluable 
blessings of peace and tranquility. Anthony Wayne. 

Grand Glaise [Fort Defiance] l3ih August, 1794. 



WAYNES REPORT OF BATTLE AT FALLEN TIMBER. 209 

The army advanced from this plac e on the l."ilh, and arrived at Noche de Bout on the 
IHth; the l!)th we wereemployid in niakinK a temporary post tor the reception of the stores 
and baKKaKe [P'ort Deposit] and in reconnoiterinx the position of the enemy, who were en- 
camped behind a thick brushy wood and the British fort. 

.\t M o'clock on the morning of the :iOlh the army again advanced in columns, 
agreeably to the Standing Order of March, the legion on the right, its right flank covered 
by the Miamis [Maumee Kiver] one brigade of mounted volunteers on the left under 
Hrigadier General Todd, and the other in the rear under Brigadier General Barbie. A 
select battalion of mounted volunteers moved in front of the legion, commanded by Major 
Price who was directed to keep sufiiciently advanced so as to give timely notice for the 
troops to form in case of action, it being yet undetermined whether the Aborigines would 
decide for peace or war. After advancing about five miles Major Trice's corps received 
so severe a fire from the enemy, who were secreted in the woods and high grass, as to 
compel them to retreat. The legion was immediately formed in two lines, principally in 
a close thick wood which extended for miles on our left and for a considerable distance 
in front, the ground being covered with old fallen timber probably occasioned by a tornado 
which rendered it impracticable for the cavalry to act with effect, and afforded the enemy 
the most favorable covert for their mode of warfare. The savages were formed in three 
lines, within supporting distance of each other and extending for near two miles, at right 
angles with the river. I soon discovered from the weight of the fire and extent of their 
lines, that the enemy were in full force in front in possession of their favorite ground, and 
endeavoring to turn our left flank. I therefore gave orders for the second line to advance 
and support the first, and directed Major General Scott to gain and turn the right flank of 
the savages with the whole of the mounted volunteers by a circuitous route; at the same 
time I ordered the front line to advance and charge with trailed arms and rouse the 
Aborigines from their coverts at the point of the bayonet and, when up, to deliver a close 
and well direct fire on their backs followed by a brisk charge so as not to give them time 
to load again. 

I also ordered ("aptain Mis Campbell, who commanded the legionary cavalry, to 
turn the left flank of the enemy next to the river, and which afforded a favorable field 
for that corps to act in. All these orders were obeyed with spirit and promptitude: but 
such was the impetuosity of the charge by the first line of infantry, that the Aborigines, 
and Canadian militia, and volunteers, were driven from all their coverts in so short a 
time that, although every possible exertion was used by the officers of the second line of 
the legion and by Generals Scott. Todd and Barbie, of the mounted volunteers to gain 
their proper positions, but part of each could get up in season to participate in the action, 
the enemy being driven in the course of one hour more than two miles through the thick 
woods already mentioned, by less than half their numbers. 

From every account, the enemy amounted to two thousand combatants. The troops 
actually engaged against them were short of nine hundred. This horde of savages, with 
their allies, abandoned themselves to flight, and dispersed with terror and dismay, 
leaving our victorious army in full and quiet possession of the field of battle which termi- 
nated under the influence [range] of the guns of the British garrison, as you will observe 
by the enclosed correspondence between Major Campbell, the commandant, and myself, 
upon the occasion. [This correspondence is given after this report]. 

The bravery and conduct of every officer belonging to the army, from the Generals 
down to the ?-nsigns. merit m\ highest approbation. There were, however, some whose 
rank and situation placed their conduct in a very conspicuous point of view, and which I 
observed with pleasure and the most lively gratitude; among whom I must beg leave to 
mention Brigadier General Wilkinson and Colonel Hamtramck the commandants of the 
right and left wings of the legion, whose brave example inspired the troops. To those I 
must add the names of my faithful and gallant Aids-de-camp Captains DeButt and 



270 , THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

T. Lews, and Lieutenant Harrison, who. with the Adjutant General, Major Mills, 
rendered the most essential service by communicating my orders in every direction, and 
by their conduct and bravery exciting the troops to press for victory. 

Lieutenant Covington, upon whom the command of the cavalry now devolved, cut 
down two savages with his own hand, and Lieutenant Webb one, in turning the enemy's 
left flank. 

The wounds received by Captains Slough and Prior, and Lieutenant Campbell 
Smith an extra aid-de-camp to General Wilkinson of the legionary infantry, and Captain 
Van Rensselaer of the dragoons. Captain Rawlins, Lieutenant McKenny, and Ensign 
Duncan of the mounted volunteers, bear honorable testimony of their bravery and 
conduct. 

Captains H. Lewis and Brock with their companies of light infantry, had to sustain 
an unequal fire for some time, which they supported with fortitude. In fact, every 
officer and soldier, who had an opportunity to come into action, displayed that true 
bravery which will always ensure success. And here permit me to declare that I never 
discovered more true spirit and anxiety for action than appeared to pervade the whole 
of the mounted volunteers, and I am well persuaded that, had the enemy maintained 
their favorite ground for one half hour longer, they would have most severely felt the 
prowess of that corps. 

But, whilst I pay this just tribute to the living, 1 must not neglect the gallant dead, 
among whom we have to lament the early death of those worthy and brave officers 
Captain Mis Campbell of the dragoons, and Lieutenant Towles of the light infantry, of 
the legion, who fell in the first charge. 

Enclosed is a particular return of the [thirty-three] killed and [one hundred] 
wounded [eleven of whom died previous to the sending of this report]. The loss of the 
enemy was more than double to that of the Federal army. The woods were strewed for 
a considerable distance with the dead bodies of the .Aborigines and their white auxil- 
iaries, the latter armed with British muskets and bayonets. 

We remained ,three days and nights on the banks of the Miami [Maumee] in front 
of the field of battle, during which time all the houses and cornfields were consumed 
and destroyed for a considerable distance, both above and below Fort Miami, as well as 
within pistol shot of that garrison who were compelled to remain tacit spectators to this 
general devastation and conflagration, among which were the houses, stores, and prop- 
erty of Colonel McKee the British Aborigine agent and principal stimulator of the war 
now existing between the United States and the savages. 

The army returned to this place [Fort Defiance] on the 27th by easy marches, laving 
waste the villages and cornfields for about fifty miles on [along] each side of the Miami 
[Maumee], There remain yet a great number of villages, and a great quantity of corn, 
to be consumed or destroyed, upon Au Glaise and the Miami [Maumee] above this place, 
which will be effected in the course of a few days. 

In the interim we shall improve Fort Defiance and, as soon as the escort returns with 
the necessary supplies from Greenville and Fort Recovery, the army will proceed to the 
Miami Villages [at the head of the Maumee River] in order to accomplish the [final] 
object of the campaign. 

It is, however, not improbable that the enemy may make one desperate effort against 
this army, as it is said. that a reinforcement was hourly expected at Fort Miami from Nia- 
gara as well as numerous tribes of .aborigines living on the margin and islands of the 
lakes. This is a business rather to be wished for than dreaded whilst the army remains 
in force. Their numbers will only tend to confuse the savages and the victory will be the 
more complete and decisive, and which may eventually ensure a permanent and happy 
peace. 



CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING FORT MIAMI. 211 

Under thest; impressions. I have the hooor to he your most obedient and very hum- 
ble servant. Anthony Wayne. 

The honorable Major Cieneral H. Knox. Secretary of War. 

N. B. I forgot to mention that I met my flag [Christopher Miller] on the Kith, who 
was returning with an evasive answer in order to gain time for the arrival of the rein- 
forcement mentioned by the Shawanee Aborigine, and which actually did arrive two days 
before the action. 

Thf correspondence that passed between the British and American 
commanders, mentioned on paj^e 201), is as follows: 

MiAM[ IMaumee] River Aueiist 31. ITftl. 

Sir : An army of the L'liiied Stales of America, said to be under your command, having' taken post 
on the banks of ilie Miami IMaumeei for uijwards of the \aM twenty-four hours, almost within the reach 
of the KUns of this fort IMiamil. beiny a post belonginu to his Majesty the KIni; of Great Britain, occupied 
by his Majesty's troops, and which I have the honor to command, it becomes my duty to inform myself as 
speedily as possible, in what liyht I am to view your makini: such near approaches to this garrison. 

I have no hesitation on my part to say thai 1 kncv of no war existinc between Great Britain and 
America. 

I have the honor to be, sir. with ureal respect, your most obedient and very humble servant. 

William Campbell. 

Major 24th rcKinient. conimanding a British post on the banks of the Miami [Maumeel. To Major 

General Wayne, &c. 

Camp on thk Bask of the Miami [MaumeeI August 21, 1794. 

Sir: I have received your letter of this date, re«iuirinK from me the motives which have moved 
the army under my command to the position they at present occupy, far within the acknowledged juris- 
diction of the United States of America. Without questioninR the authority or the propriety, sir, of 
your inierrocatory, I ihink I may without breach of decorum observe to you that, were you entitled to an 
answer, the most full and satisfactory one was announced to you from the muzzles of my small arms yes- 
terday morninu in the action against the horde of savages in the vicinity of your post, which terminated 
gloriously to the .American arms ; but, ha<l it continued until the Aborigines, &c.. were driven under the 
influence of the post and guns you mention, they would not have much impeded the progress of the vic- 
torious army under my command, as no such post was established at the comnienceinent of the present 
war between the .Aborigines and the United States. 

I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your most obedient, and very humble servant. 

Anthony Wayne. 
Major General, and Conimander-in-Chtef of the Federal Army. 

To Major William Campbell. &c. 

Fort Miami .August 22d. 1794. 

Sir: .Although vuur letter of yesterdays date fully authorizes me to any act of hostility against the 
army of the United States of .Ameiica in this neighborhood under your command, yet. siill anxious to 
prevent that dreadful decision which, peihaps, is not intended to be appealed to by either of our coun- 
tries. I have forborne, for those two days past, to resent those insults you have offered to the British flag 
flying at this fort, by approaching it within pistol shot of my works, not only singly, but in numbers, with 
arms in their hands. 

Neither is it my wish to wage war with individuals ; but. should you after this continue to approach 
my post in the tlireatening manner you are at this moment doing, my indispensable duty to my King and 
country, and the honor of my profession, will oblige nie to have recourse to those measures which thou- 
sands of either nation may hereafter have cause to regret, and which, I solemnly appeal to God. I have 
used my utmost endeavors to arrest. 

I have the honor to be, sir. with much respect, your most obedient and very humble servant. 

William Campbell. 
Major 24th regiment, commanding at Fort Miami. 

Major General Wayne. &c., &c.. 

General Wayne adds in his report that 

No other notice was taken of this letter than what is expressed in the following 
letter. The fort and works were, however, reconnoitered in every direction, at some 
points possibly within pistol shot. It was found to be a regular strong work, the front 
covered by a wide river, with four guns mounted in that face. The rear, which was 
most susceptible of approach, had two regular bastions furnished with eight pieces of 



272 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

artillery, the whole surrounded by a wide deep ditch with hotizontal pickets projecting 
from the burn of the parapet over the ditch. From the bottom of the ditch to the top of 
the parapet was about twenty feet perpendicular. The works were also surrounded by 
an abbatis, and furnished with a strong garrison. [The correspondence concluded as 
follows] : 

Cami', Banks ij> Miami [Maumee] 32d Autjnst. 1794. 

Sir : In your letter of the 21st instant you declare ' 1 have no hesitation, on my part, to say that I 
know of no war existinE between Great Britain and America.' 

I. on my part, declare the same, and that the onb' cause I have to entertain a contrary idea at 
present, is the hostile act you are now in commission of, i. e. by recently taking post far within the well 
known and acknowledged Hmits of the United States, and erectinn a fortification in the heart of the 
settlements of the Aborigine tribes now at war with the United States. This, sir, appears to be an act 
of the hinhesi aggression, and destructive to the peace and interest of the Union. Hence, it becomes my 
duty to desire, and I do hereby desire and demand, in the name of the President of the United States, 
that you immediately desist from any further act of hostility or acEtession. by forbearinE to fortify, and 
by withdrawiuE the troops, artillery, and stores, under your orders and direction, forthwith, and reniov- 
iuE to the nearest post occupied by his Britannic Majesty's troops at the peace of 17HS, and which you 
will be permitted to do luimolested by the troops under my command. 

I am, with very great respect, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant, 

Anthony Wayne. 

Major William Campbell. &c. 

Fort Miami 22d .August, 1794, 

Sik: I have this moment to acknowledge tlie receipt of your letter of this date; in answer to 
which I have only to say, that, being placed here in the command of a British post, and acting in a 
military capacity only. I cannot enter into any discussion, either on the right or impropriety of my occu- 
pying my present position. Those are matters that I conceive will be best left to the embassadors of our 
different nations. 

Having said this much, permit me to inform you that 1 certainly will not abandon this post at the 
summons of any power whatever, until I receive orders to that purpose from those I have the honor to 
serve under, or the fortune of war should oblige me. 

I must still adhere, sir. to the purport of my letter this morning, to desire that your army, or 
individuals belonging to it. will not approach within reach of my cannon, without expecting the conse- 
'luences attending it. 

Although 1 have said, in the former part of my letter, that my situation here is totally military, yet. 
let nie add, sir, that 1 am much deceived if his Majesty, the King of Great Britain, had not a post on this 
river at and prior to the period you mention. [Fort Miami at the head of the Mauniee River, captured 
by Chief Nicholas in 17^^]. 

1 have the honor to be. sir. with the greatest respect, your most obedient and very humble servant. 

William Cami-bell, 
Major 24th regiment, commandint; at Fort Miami. 

To Major General Wayne, &c. 

In his re])ort to the Secretary of War General Wayne writes that 
The only notice taken of this letter, was by immediately setting fire 
to, and destroying, everything within view of the fort, and even under 
the muzzles of his guns. Had Mr. Campbell carried his threats into 
execution, it is more than probable that he would have experienced a 
storm.' 

Antoine Lassell, a native of Canada and a volunteer in the British 
Captain Caldwell's company of refugees, friends and allies of the 
hostile Aborigines, was captured by the Americans the 20th August, 
the day of the Battle of Fallen Timber, and he testified before General 
Wayne at Fort Defiance as follows : 

He says that he has resided for twenty-nine years in Upper Canada, twenty-one of 
which he has passed at Detroit and on this [Maumee] river, and that he has constantly 
traded with the Aborigines all that time ; that he resided at the Miami villages for nine- 
teen years before Harmar's expedition, when he kept a store at that place, and used to 



SAVAGE TRIBES AND BRITISH INFLUENCES. 215 

supply other traders with goods ; thai he has since lived chieHy at Bean Creek or Little 
Glaise [on left bank of Tifiin River, one mile below Brunersburg and one mile-and-a-half 
from Fort Defiance] at the Little Turtle's town. 

That, having lived so long among the hostile .\borigines, he is perfectly acquainted 
with the tribes and numbers. 

That the Delawares have about ."ilKI men including those who live on both rivers — 
the White Kiver and Bean Creek. That the Miamis are about 200 warriors, part of 
them live on the [Kiver] St. Joseph, eight leagues from this place [Fort Defiance] ; that 
the men were all in the action [at Fallen Timber] but the women are yet at that place, 
or Piquet's village [not far from the present St. Joseph. Indiana] ; that a road leads 
Irom that place directly to it ; [This trail is yet remembered in Defiance County. It 
remained until obi terated by the development of farms, in places being noticeable as 
latje as the year IHCO] ; that the number of warriors belonging to that place, when all 
together, amounts to about 10. 

That the Shawanese have about iidd warriors; that the Tawas [Ottawas] on this 
river are 2,50 ; that the Wyandots are aliout :i(IO. 

That those .Aborigines were generally in the action of the 20th instant, except some 
hunting parties. That a reinforcement of regular troops and "200 militia arrived at Fort 
Miami a few days before the army appeared ; that the regular troops in the fort 
amounted to 250, exclusive of militia. 

That about seventy of the militia, including Captain Caldwell's corps, were in the 
action. That Colonel McKee, Captain F.lliott, and Simon Girty, were in the field, but 
at a respectful distance and near the river. 

That Colonel M'Kee's existence now depends upon the eNertions he can make to 
retrieve the loss and dis.grace of the Aborigines ; that he will use every influence and 
means in his power to raise the distant nations to come forward immediately and assist 
in the war. 

That, should they not be able to collect in force sufficient to tight this army, their 
intention is to move on the Spanish side of the Mississippi where part of their nations 
now live; that Blue Jacket told him (Lassell) that he intended to move immediately to 
Chic.igo. on the Illinois. 

That the Aborigines have wished for peace for some time, but that Colonel M'Kee 
always dissuaded them from it, and stimulated them to continue the war. 

Colonel John Johnson, while American As'cnt to the- .-Xboriijines 
at Fort Wayne knew this Antoine Lasselle, or LaSalle. He was 
informed that Lasselle was captured at the Battle of Fallen Timber 
while dressed and painted as a savage, and that upon examination at 
Fort Deposit he was sentenced to be hung'. A temporary gallows was 
erected, and the execution was ordered, when Colonel John F. Ham- 
tramck of the 1st Regiment Infantry, \\ho was also a Frenchman, 
interceded and saved his life. His brother ransomed him at Fort 
Wayne the 13th October, 1794 (see ante, page 'lOiJ) by three American 
prisoners. General Wayne and Colonel Hamtramck were quick to see 
the worth of these brothers Lasselle to the American cause, and culti- 
vated their interest which, from their wit and gratitude, amounted to a 
great force in turning the Aborigines from the British. The blanks in 
General Wayne's reports on another page may be filled with the name 
Antoine Lasselle. Colonel Hamtramck refers to his favorable work in 



214 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

letters j<iven on subsequent pajjes. In after years Antoine was licensed 
to trade with the Aborigines at Fort Wayne. Occasionallv, in his rem- 
iniscent moods, he would clasp his neck with both hands in reference to 
Mad Anthony's' (General Wayne's) desire to hang him. Another 

prisoner, John Bevin, a drummer in the 24th British regiment, testified 
after the battle as follows: 

There are now four companies of the 24th at Fort Miami, averaging about .")0 men, 
non-commissioned officers and privates included ; that there was part of Governor 
Simcoe's corps in the garrison, together with about sixty Canadians ; that the whole 
number ot men actually in the garrison, including officers, &c., exceeded 400 ; that the 
number of Aborigines, Canadians, &c. in the action [Battle of Fallen Timber] were at 
least 2000, according to the report made by Colonel M'Keeand Captain Elliott to Major 
Campbell after the action, who declared in his presence that there was actually that 
number engaged. 

That there were four nine-pounders, two large howitzers, and six six-pounders, 
mounted in the fort, and two swivels, and well supplied with ammunition. 

That the Aborigines were regularly supplied with provision drawn from the British 
magazine in the garrison by Colonel M'Kee. 

That a certain Mr. Newman, a deserter from the American army, arrived at the 
fort about eight days before the army made its appearance, who gave information to 
Major Campbell that the object of the Americans was to take that post and garrison ; 
that General Wayne told the troops not to be uneasy about provisions, that there was 
plenty in the British garrison. 

That Governor Simcoe was expected at that place every hour in consequence of an 
express sent to Niagara after the arrival of Newman the deserter, but had not arrived 
when he came away ; that the distance from Fort Miami to Detroit is sixty miles, which 
is generally performed in two days. 

The militia of Detroit and its vicinity amounts to near two thousand ; that a 
Colonel Baubee commands them; that M'Kee is also a Colonel of militia; that a 
Lieutenant Silve of the British regiment is in the Aborigine department and acts as 
secretary to Colonel M'Kee ; that a Captain Bunbury of the same regiment is also in 
the Aborigine department. 

That he has seen a great number of wounded Aborigines pass the fort, but did not 
learn what number were killed ; that the retiring .Aborigines appeared much dejected 
and much altered to what they were in the morning before the action ; that he knew of 
one company of volunteers, commanded by Captain Caldwell, all white men and armed 
with British muskets and bayonets, who were in the action. 

A returned prisoner gave information 21st October, 1794, as 
follows: 

James Neill, a packhorse-man in the service of Elliott and Williams, aged 17 years, 
and belonging to Beardstown, in Kentucky, was in the action of the oOth June at Fort 
Recovery, and was taken prisoner by the Aborigines, together with Peter Keil and 
another by the name of Cherry, and three pack horse-men. 

After he was taken prisoner he was carried to the British fort at the Miami 
[Maumee] where, however, he was not permitted to be seen by the British as the Abo- 
rigines wanted to carry hira to their own town ; thence he was taken to Detroit, and 
thence to Michilimackinac, where a British officer bought him, who sent him to Detroit 
to Colonel England who treated them well, and sent them to Niagara, at which place 
Peter Keil, being an Irishman, enlisted in the Queen's rangers. 



EVIDENCE AGAINST THE SAVAGES AND BRITISH. 215 

Neill umlerstood that there were of Aborigines and white men. !.'>(KI in the attack of 
Fort Kecovery ; he himself did not see the whole, but he saw upwards of seven hundred. 

He understood they lost a great many in killed and wounded ; he himself saw about 
twenty dead carried off, and many wounded, while he was tied to the stump of a tree 
about half a mile distant from the firing. 

The Aborigines, on their return to the Miami fort, asserted that no enemy ever 
fought better than the people at Kort Kecovery : and Neill was told by Captain Doyle at 
Michilimackinac. that the .\borigines lost two to one that they did at St. Clair's defeat. 

Neill was taken by the Shawanese. and made a present to the Ottawas who live near 
the fort at Michilimackinac. 

Neill was at Detroit when the news arrived of General Wayne's action with the 
Aborigines, the 20th August. He received the information from one John Johnson who 
was a deserter from General Wayne's army, and then was a militia man of Detroit, and 
in the action against General Wayne. He spoke of the affair as a complete defeat : 
that the Aborigines lost a great many but he could not tell how many. He says the 
Aborigines, upon being defeated, wanted to take refuge in the British fort : that they 
were denied, which greatly exasperated them. 

The militia of Detroit were again ordered out, and several Captains put in the 
guard-house for refusing. He understood the militia men were forced on board vessels 
and sent to Koche de Bout. 

Upon his arrival at Niagara he understood that most of the troops were ordered to 
reinforce the garrison at the Miami [Maumee] River, but Governor Simcoe did not go. 

Neill says that it was generally said there were only seven hundred Aborigines at 
General St. Clair's defeat. 

Immediately lollowing the Battle of Fallen Timber man\- ol the 
savasie.s, not finding the expected supyiort and ]irotection from the 
British at Fort Miami, Hed to Detroit the British headciuarters, where 
an estimate placed thi-ir number, within a few days, at thirteen hun- 
dred. Another evidence of the severe effect of the battle on them and 
the British militia with them, was the equipment of another hos])ital 
with an additional surgeon at Detroit, the expense of which was 
approved by Lieutenant Governor Simcoe the 31st Octobtr. The 
British also proceeded at once to strengthen Fort Lernoult at Detroit; 
and a blockhouse was built on the opposite side of the river, also six 
gunboats for patrolling the river.* 

Ten days after the Battle of Fallen Timber, 30th .\ugust, 1794, 

Colonel M'Kee wrote to Colonel England, commandant at Detroit, as 

follows: 

Camp near Fort Miami August 30, 1704. 

Sir : I have been employed several days in endeavoring to fix the Aborigines (who 
have been driven from their villages and cornfields) between the fort and the Bay. Swan 
Creek is generally agreed upon, and will be a very convenient place for the delivery of 
provisions, &c. 

The last accounts from General Wayne's army were brought me last night by an 
.Aborigine who says the army would not l)e able to reach the Glaise [at Fort Defiance] 
before yesterday evening, it is supposed on account of the sick and wounded, many of 



^Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections. Farmer's History 0/ Detroit and Michigan. 



216 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

whom they bury every day. I propose being in town in a day or two when I hope for the 
pleasure of paying you my respects. 

The military interests of this rej^ion in the latter part of 1794 are 
set forth in the followinfj; report of General Wayne to the Secretary of 
War, viz : 

Head yuARXERS, Miami Villages [Fort Waynk] ITth October, IT'.M. 

Sir; I have the honor to enclose a duplicate of my letter of the 20th ultimo, 
together with the general return of the legion, and an invoice of stores and medicine 
wanted in the hospital department. 

The great number of sick belonging to the mounted volunteers, added to the sick 
and wounded of the legion, has exhausted all the stores forwarded for the year 17!t4, so 
that I shall be under the necessity of ordering the Surgeon General to purchase a tem- 
porary supply at Fort Washington at an advanced but current price, at that place. 

The Quartermaster General is directed to make out a return of the stores issued, on 
hand, and wanting, in his department. Major Burbeck has similar orders for the 
Ordnance Department, which will be transmitted by the first opportunity. The unfor- 
tunate death of Mr. Robert Elliot, the acting contractor, who was killed by the 
Aborigines on the (ith instant near Fort Hamilton, added to the deranged state of 
that department, has made it my duty to order the Quartermaster General to supply 
every defect on the part of the contractors, and at their expense, in behalf of the United 
States, to be settled at the treasury at a future day. The posts in contemplation at 
Chillicothe or Picquetown on the Miami of the Ohio, at Loramie's store on the north 
branch, and at the old Tawa town on the AuGlaise [River] are with a view to facilitate 
the transportation of supplies by water and which, to a certainty, will reduce the land 
carriage of dead or heavy articles, at proper seasons, viz . late in the fall and early in 
the spring, to thirty-five miles, and in times of freshets to twenty in place of 17.5 by the 
most direct road to Grand Glaise [Fort Defiance] and l.iO to the Miami Villages from 
Fort Washington on the present route of transport in time of war, and decidedly so in 
time of peace. 

The mounted volunteers of Kentucky marched from this place on the morning of 
the 14th instant for l-'ort Washington, where they are to be mustered and discharged 
agreeably to instructions mentioned in the enclosed duplicates of letters to Major 
General Scott and Captain Edward Butler, upon the occasion. 

vThe conduct of both officers and men of this corps, in general, has been better than 
any militia I have heretofore seen in the field for so great a length of time. But it would 
not do to retain them any longer, although our present situation, as well as the term for 
which they were enrolled, would have justified their being continued in service until the 
14th November, in order to escort the supplies from Fort Washington to the head of the 
line, whilst the regular troops were employed in the completion of the fortifications, and 
keeping the enemy in check so as to prevent them from insulting the convoys; but they 
were homesick. All this I am now obliged to perform with the skeleton of the legion, as 
the body is daily wasting away from the expiration of the enlistments of the soldiery. 
Nor is it improbable that we shall yet have to fight for the protection of our convoys and 
posts. It is therefore to be regretted that the bill in contemplation for the completion of 
the legion, as reported by the committee of the House of Representatives, was not passed 
into a law in the early part of last session of Congress. 

The enclosed estimate will demonstrate the mistaken policy and bad economy of 
substituting mounted volunteers in place of regular troops ; and unless effectual measures 
are immediately adopted by both Houses for raising troops to garrison the Western 
posts, we have fought, bled, and conquered, in vain ; the fertile country we are now in 



REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF GENERAL WAYNE. 217 

possession ol will again become a ran^e to the hostile Aborigines of the West, who, 
meeting with no barrier, the frontier inhabitants will tall an easy prey to a fierce and 
savage enemy whose tender mercies are cruelty ; and who will improve the opportunity 
to desolate and lay waste all the settlements on the margin of the Ohio, and which they 
will be able to effect with impunity, unless some speedy and proper measures are 
adopted to re-engage the remnant of the legion. The present pay and scanty ration will 
not induce the soldiery to continue in service after the period for which they are now 
enlisted, and which will e.\pire. almost in toto. between this and the beginning of May. 

I had the honor to transmit you a copy of the deposition of a certain 

[Antoine Laselle] a Canadian prisoner, taken in the action of the 2()th August [the 
Battle of Fallen Timber]; his brother arrived at this place on the l.'Uh instant with a 
flag [of truce] and three American prisoners which he redeemed from the Aborigines 
with a view of liberating. Enclosed is his narrative given upon oath, by which you will 
see that Governor Simcoe, Colonel M'Kee, and the famous Captain Brandt, are at this 
moment tampering with the hostile chiefs, and will undoubtedly prevent them from 
concluding a treaty of peace with the United States, if possible. I shall, however. 

endeavor to counteract them through the means of [Antoine Lasalle] 

who has a considerable influence with the principal hostile chiefs, and whose interests it 
will eventually be to promote a permanent peace. But, in order to facilitate and effect 
this desirable object, we ought to produce a conviction to them, as well as to the British 
agents, that we are well prepared for war; hence I have been induced to bestow much 
labor upon two forts [Kort Defiance and Fort Wayne] of which the enclosed are 
draughts* and I am free to pronounce them the most respectable now in the occupancy 
of the United States, even in their present situation [condition] which is not <4uite 
perfect as yet. The British, however, are not to learn that they may possibly be left 
without garrisons; they well know the term for which the veterans of the legion are 
engaged, as well from our laws and proceedings of Congress as from our deserters, and 
that no provision is yet made to supply their places; circumstances that Mr. Simcoe 
will not fail to impress most forcibly upon the minds of the Aborigines with whom he is 
now in treaty ; and to hold up to them a flattering prospect of soon possessing those 
posts, and their lost country, with ease and certainty. 

1 have thought it my duty to mention those facts to you at this crisis, to the end that 
Congress may be early and properly impressed with the critical situation of the Western 
country, so as to adopt measures for retaining the posts, and for the protection of the 
frontier inhabitants, previously to the expiration of the term of service for which the 
troops have been enlisted. I have the honor to be. &c.. 

Anthony W.wne. 

Major General Knox, Secretary of War. 

An army of two thousand non-commissioned officers and privates 
was recommended to be enlisted for three years. The general expense 
of such army was estimated as follows, viz: Bounty to each soldier 
tt'u dollars: each stand of arms' ten dollars: one suit clothiufj per 
year thirty dollars; subsistence per man four dollars per month. Pay 
per month: twelve sergeant-majors and quartermaster sergeants seven 
dollars each: Eighty-four sergeants six dollars each; ninetv-six cor- 
porals live dollars each: and one thousand eight hundred and eight 
privates each at three dollars per month. 



'■' The writer has been unable to lind the plans of the Forts liere mentioned, by his several inquiries 
at the State and War Departments, and United Stales Library, at Washington. 



218 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The return of the army, opinions regarding questions in general, 
and the opening of friendly negotiations with the Aborigines, are 
announced in the following letter from General Wayne to the Secre- 
tary, viz : 

Head Quarters, Greenville 12 November, 17!(4. 

Sir; I have the honor to transmit you a duplicate of my letter of the 17th ultimo 
from the Miami villages, and to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from Colonel Alex- 
ander Hamilton of the 2oth September, enclosing an extract of a letter from Mr. Jay 
Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States at the court of London, dated the 12th 
July, 1704 ; also a letter from Major Stagg of the 4th ultimo. 

The enclosed copy of a correspondence between the contractor's agents, the 
Quartermaster General and myself, will inform you of additional measures taken to 
obtain supplies for the support of the respective posts, and the skeleton of the legion. 
I have the honor to enclose copies of certain overtures and speeches from the Wyandots 
settled at, and in the vicinity of, Sandusky, together with my answer ; what the result 
may be is yet very problematical ; they have, however, left two hostages with me (one of 
them a young chief) until the return of the flag that went from this place on the .")th 
instant, and promised to be here again in the course of twentv days with an answer to 
my propositions. 

From the enclosed narrative of a half breed, and a brother to (whose 

interest I have made it to be true and faithful to the United States) it would appear that 
the savages are playing an artful game ; they have most certainly met Governor Simcoe, 
Colonel M'Kee, and Captain Brandt, at the mouth of Detroit River, at the proposed 
treaty of hostile Aborigines ; and, at the same time, sent a deputation to me with the 
overtures already mentioned as coming from only part of one nation ; it is, however, 
understood by all, that there shall be a temporary suspension of hostilities for one moon 
say until the 22nd instant ; in fact it has been a continued suspension upon their own 
part ever since the action of the 20th August, except a few light trifling predatory 
parties: it's true, we alwavs moved superior to insult, which may account for this 
apparent inactivity. 

Permit me now to inform you that the skeleton of the legion arrived at this place on 
the 2nd instant, in high health and spirits after an arduous and very fatiguing, but a 
glorious, tour of ninety-seven days; during which period we marched and countermarched 
upwards of three hundred miles through the heart of an enemy's country, cutting a 
wagon road the whole way, besides making and establishing those two very respectable 
fortifications [Forts Defiance and Wayne] the draughts of which were enclosed in my 
letter of the 17th ultimo. [The plans of the Forts, here referred to, cannot be found 
in the War Department. They may have been in the British fire of 1814.] 

As soon as circumstances will admit, the posts contemplated at Picquetown, 
Loramie's stores, and at the old Tawa [Ottawa] towns at the head of navigation on 
Au Glaise River'* will be established for the reception, and as the depositories, for stores 
and supplies by water carriage, which is now determined to be perfectly practicable in 
proper seasons ; 1 am, therefore, decidedly of opinion that this route ought to be totally 
abandoned and that adopted as the most economical, sure, and certain mode of supply- 
ing those important posts, at Grand Glaise [Fort Defiance] and the Miami Villages 
[Fort Wayne] and to facilitate an effective operation towards the Detroit and Sandusky, 
should that measure eventually be found necessary ; add to this that it would afford a 
much better chain for the general protection of the frontiers, which, with a block house 



* Probably at the site of Fort Amanda buill in 1812 at the north line of the present Aut!laise 
County, Ohio. 



SAVAGES SUFFER AFTER BATTLE OF FALLEN TIMBER. 2/9 

at the landing place on the Wabash [Little Kiver] eight miles southwest of the post* at 
the Miami Villages [Fort Wayne] would give us possession of all portages between the 
heads of the navigable waters of the (lulfs of Mexico and St. Lawrence, and serve as a 
barrier between the different tribes of Aborigines settled along the margins of the 
rivers. [Here some words, or sentences, are lost] emptying into the creek, as mentioned 
in the enclosed copy of instructions of the ".i'^nd ultimo to ("olonel Hamtramck. 

But, sir, all this labor, and e.xpense of blood and treasure, will be rendered abortive, 
and of none effect, unless speedy and efficient measures are adopted by the National 
Legislature to raise troops to garrison those posts. 

As 1 have already been full and e,\plicit upon this subject, in my letter of the 17lh 
ultimo, f shall not intrude further upon your time and patience than to assure you of the 

high esteem and regard with which I have the honor to be, &c., 

Anthony Waynk. 
Major Cieneral Henry Knox. Secretary of War. 

rile autumn ot 17il4, and tin- following winter, were times of great 
suffering among tlic .Vhorigines cif the Maumee River Basin, finir 
crops being destroyed by General Waxne's army, rendered them more 
than ever dependent on the British who, not being i)repared for so 
great a task and, witlial, iptite fatigued abeadx with tlieir exactions 
'did not half supplx tlnnr.+ They were huddled along the Matimee 
Kiver at the mouth ol Swan Creeli where much sickness prevailed on 
account of exposures, scant supplies, and want of sanitar\- regulations. 
What few domestic animals they possessed also died or languished on 
account of improper food and care and were eaten, even the dogs. 
Tlu\ became imi)aticiU, niurmun d at tin- lailure ol thi f-iritish to pro- 
tect and supply them according to promise, and lamented that they 
did not make peace with ttie Americans in opposition to the British 
intlui'nce.t 

They turned to the Americans who were more able and willing to 
protect and to supply. || Communications from them were encouraged 
f)y General Wayne and his officers; and they were received at first by 
way of ]Hrsons whose interests were enlisted by the General (the 
l)rothers Antoine and Jacques Lasselle particularly) and whose names 
were for a time suppressed. Later, some chiefs personally visited 
Forts Defiance and Wayne, and General Wayne at Greenville on invi- 
tation. Evidence now accumulated that some of the former appeals 



* Tliis blockhouse was prot>ably not built, as no further mention of it is found. 

t Narrative of John Hrickell who was during tliis time with these .Aboricines alontr the Maumee as 
a captive of the Delawares— 7/)e American Pioneer volume i. pane nH. 

t Canadian Archives, Letters of Oct. 22. 34. Nov. 3:i. and Dec. ~. 17(M; Feb. 34 and March 17, 27. 
1795. 

II See Cana<iian .\rchives. Letter of George Ironside to .Alexander M'Kee December 1^, 1794, in 
which is stated that the Aborinines as yet had felt only the weight of General Wayne's little tinker, and 
that he would surely destroy all the tribes if they did not turn to peace. M'Kee. in a letter of March 
27, 179.'',, to Joseph Chew Secretary of the British .Aborigine Othce. chided the government for leaving to 
shift for themselves ' the poor Aborigines who have long fought for us and bled freely for us, which is no 
bar to a peaceable accommodation with America'. . . 



220 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

to the Aliorisiines had been intercepted and wliolly suppressed by white 
people in employ' of the British, or h\- tlitni chan^fed in interpretation 
to suit British desires. 

Meantime, the settlers at the trontiers of the southern States, in 
conjunction with United States troops, were having much trouble in 
allaving the hostility of the Cherokees, Creeks, and other southern 
Aborigines who had been incited by their attendance at the general 
councils held in 1792-93 at the mouth of the Auglaise River and at the 
foot of the lowest rapids of the Maumee, in accordance with the British 
efforts 'to unite the American tribes' in their interest. 

General Wayne's next report to the Secretary of War, then Tim- 
othy Pickering, is as follows: 

Head Quarters. Greenville 28rd December. 1794. 

Sir ; I have the honor to inform you that the flag from the Wyandots of Sandusky, 
after an absence of forty-two days, returned to this place on the evening of the 14th 
instant. 

The enclosed copies of letters and speeches* will best demonstrate the insidious part 
recently taken by the British agents, Messrs. Simcoe, M'Kee, and Brandt, to stimulate 
the savages to continue the war, who. being but too well acquainted with the near 
approach of that period in which the legion will be dissolved, have artfully suggested a 
suspension of hostilities until spring, in order to lull us into a state of security to prevent 
the raising of troops, and to afford the Aborigines an opportunity to make their fall and 
winter hunt unmolested. 

In the interim, the British are vigilantly employed in strengthening and making 
additions to their fortification at the foot of the rapids of the Miamies of the lake [Mau- 
mee River] evidently with a view of convincing the Aborigines of their determination to 
assist and protect them ; hence there is strong ground to conclude that Governor Simcoe 
has not received any orders to the contrary, othersvise he would not presume to persevere 
in those nefarious acts of hostility. 

The Wyandots and other Aborigines, at and in the vicinity of the rapids of San- 
dusky [River] are completely within our power, and their hunting grounds all within 
striking distance ; hence their present solicitude for a suspension of hostilities. 

It is, however, probable that may now be seriously inclined for peace, 

being the only surviving principal chief out of four belonging to the Wyandots of 
Sandusky ; the three were killed in the action of the 20th .\ugust [Battle of Fallen 
Timber] and he himself shot through the right elbow which has deprived him of the use 
of that arm : add to this his present candid information of opinion, which is corroborated 

bv , now with me, who has a little village of his own consisting of a few 

Aborigine families settled at and well known to be friendly to the United States. 

All those people are. or affect to be, in dread of the hostile Aborigines in the vicinity 
of Detroit (who are under the immediate influence of the British agents) on account of 

the part they have recently taken. says, that the present flag is sent 

without the privity or consent of those tribes, and expresses some doubts of its safe 
return should any of the hostile .\borigines meet it on its way home and discover the 
object of its mission. 

I shall endeavor to beneiit by this real, or affected dread, and propose to take them 
under the immediate protection of the United States, and build a fortification at the foot 



* See American State Papers, .^borinine Attairs volume i, page MH et sequentia. 



TRADING HOUSES AMONG ABORIGINES SUGGESTED. 221 

of the rapids of Sandusky (l\iver| as soon as the season and circumstances will permit: 
this will serve as a criterion by which their sincerity may be tried, and [is] perfectly 
consistent with the treaty of the illh January. ITMll. 

But unless Congress has already, or will immediately adopt effectual measures to 
raise troops to garrison this as well as the other posts already established, it would only 
be a work of supererogation, as the whole must [otherwise] be abandoned by the middle 
of May. I have, however, succeeded in dividing and distracting the counsels of the 
hostile Aborigines, and hope through that means eventually to bring about a general 
peace, or to compel the refractory to pass the Mississippi and to the northwest side of 
the lakes. 

The Hritish agents have greatly the advantage in this business at present by having 
it in their ))ower to furnish the Aborigines with every necessary supply of arms, ammu- 
nition, and clothing, in exchange for their skins and furs, which will always make the 
savages dependent upon them until the United States establish trading houses in their 
country, from which they can be supplied with equal facility, and at reasonable rates. 

The country we acquired in the course of the late campaign, and the posts we now 
occupy, are happily situate for this purpose and which, with the addition of a post at 
Sandusky and one at the mouth of the Miamies of the lake [Manmee River] would 
render the Aborigines as dependent upon the United States then, as they are now upon 
the British.* If my recollection serves me. the President has more than once recom- 
ended this measure to the serious attention of Congress; and without its being adopted 
we can never expect a permanent peace with, or fidelity from, the .aborigines. 

Could I, with truth and propriety, pledge myself to the hostile tribes that this 
measure would be adopted, and that they would with certainty be supplied in this way 
in the course of the ensuing spring, as well as in the future. I am confident we should 
draw them over to our interest, notwithstanding every effort of the British to prevent it ; 
because the inclemency of the winter season, the sterility of soil, and the scarcity of 
game within the British territory, are all opposed to their removing to the north side of 
the lakes; and certain I am that, had not Governor Simcoe held up to the .Aborigines at 
the late council the fond, but I trust idle, hope of compelling the Americans to aban- 
don and relinquish to them all the posts and lands on the west side of the Ohio [River] 
the principal part of the hostile tribes would either have accepted of the invitatioii to 
treat, or have passed to the Spanish [w-est] .side of the Mississippi in the course of the 
fall and winter. Possibly they may yet do the one or the other, as I am informed that- 
their present dependent situation is far from pleasant ; nor have we much cause to envy 
the British the pleasure and expense of supporting and clothing this numerous horde of 
savages, thrown upon them by their own insidious conduct, and the fortuitous events 
of war. 

The followiriK excerpts of letters, communicated by John W. Van 
Cleve of Dayton, Ohio, to The American Pioneer 24th June, 1843, were 
taken from Colonel John Francis Hamtramck's letter-hook which re- 
mained, after his death 11th April, 1803, among the jiapers of the 
Detroit garrison until the surrender of Detroit by General William Hull 
in 1812, when an officer of Ohio militia was perinitted b\ th< l^)rifish to 
take possession of it. Colonel Hamtramck is described as a small 
Canadian Frenchman, but he had proved himself an intelligent, capable 
and meritorious officer. His letters throw some interesting side-lights 



* The surrender of the British Fort Miauii to United States troops Ilth July. 1796. under the Jay 
Treaty, obviated the necessity for building a fori by the lower Mauniee. 



222 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

on the events of the times. The first were written from Fort Wayne to 

General Wayne at Greenville, viz : 

FoKT Wayne December oth. 1704, 

Sir: . . It is with a great degree of mortification that I am obliged to inform your 

excellency of the great propensity many of the soldiers have for larceny. I have flogged 

them until I am tired. The economic allowance of one hundred lashes, allowed by 

government, does not appear a sufficient inducement for a rascal to act the part of an 

honest man, I have now a number in confinement and in irons for having stolen four 

quarters of beef on the night of the .'ird instant. 1 could wish them to be tried by a 

general court martial, in order to make an example of some of them. I shall keep them 

confined until the pleasure of your excellency is known. 

Fort Wayne December 2',l, IT'.II, 
Sir ; Yesterday a number of chiefs of the Chippeways, Ottawas, Socks [Sacs] and 
Potawotamies arrived here with the two Lassells. It appears that the Shawanese, Del- 
awares, and Miamies remain still under the influence of M'Kee ; but Lassell thinks that 
they will be compelled to come into the measures of the other Aborigines, After the 
chiefs have rested a day or two, I will send them to headquarters, , 

December 2!), 1794, 
Sir : Since my letter to your excellency of the present date, two war-chiefs have 
arrived from the Miami nation, and inform me that their nation will be here in a few 
davs, from whence they will proceed to Greenville, They also bring intelligence of the 
remaining tribes of savages acceding to the prevalent wish for peace, and collecting for 
the purpose the chiefs of their nations, who, it is expected, will make their appearance 
at this post about the same time the Miamies may come forward, , . 

Fort Wayne January l.i, 17i).5, 
Sir; , • A number of chiefs and warriors of the Miamis arrived at the garrison 
on the 13th instant. Having informed them that I could do nothing with them, and that 
it was necessary for them to proceed to headquarters, finding it inconvenient for so 
many to go, they selected five, who are going under charge of Lieutenant Massie, and 
perhaps will be accompanied by some warriors. The one whose name is Jean Baptiste 
Richardville, is half white and a village chief of the nation, 

.As you are well acquainted with the original cause of the war with the Aborigines, 
I shall not say much upon it, except to observe that all the French traders, who were so 
many machines to the British agents, can be bought, and M'Kee, being then destitute of 
his satellites, will remain soJus. with perhaps his few Shawanese, to make penance for 
his past iniquities. 

Since writing the foregoing, I have had a talk with the chiefs. I have shown them 
the necessity of withdrawing themselves from the headquarters of corruption, and in- 
vited them to come and take possession of their former habitations [across the Maumee 
and St, Mary from Fort Wayne] which they have promised me to do. Richardville tells 
me, that as soon as he returns he will go on the Salamonie [River] on [near] the head of 
the Wabash, and there make a village. He has also promised me to open the naviga- 
tion of the Wabash to the flag of the United States, , . 

February ^ird, lI'Xi. 

Sir: Lieutenant Massey arrived on the .'ilst. The Aborigines also returned on 

the 2'Jth in high spirits and very much pleased with their reception [by you, General 

Wayne] at head-quarters. They assure me that they will absolutely make a lasting 

peace with the United States, . . 

March 1, 1 il),i. 

Sir ; . , I have now with me about forty Aborigines on a visit. They are Pota- 



THE WINNING OF THE SAVAGES TO PEACE. 223 

wotamies, who live on Bear Creek [in the present Lenawee County. Michigan]. They 
say that as they are making peace with us. they will expect us to give them some corn to 
plant next spring. Indeed all the .\borigines who have been here have requested that 
I would inform your excellency of their miserable situation, and that they expect every- 
thing from you. 

March ."), 17!)."i. 

Sir: . . A number of Potawotamie .\borlgines arrived here yesterday from 
Huron Kiver. They informed me that they were sent by their nation at that place, and 
by the Ottawas and Chippeways living on the same river, as also in the name of the 
Chippeways living on the Saginaw Kiver which empties into Lake Huron, in order to 
join in the good intention of the other Aborigines, by establishing a permanent peace 
with the United States. I informed them that I was not the first chief, and invited them 
to go to Greenville; to which they replied that it wa.s rather a long journey, but from 
the great desire they had to see The Wind (for they called you so) they would go. I 
asked them for an explication of your name. They told me that on the 20th August 
last, you were exactly like a hurricane, which drives and tears everything before it. 
Mr. LeChauvre, a Frenchman, is a trader \yith them and has come as their interpreter. 
Father Burke continues his exhortations. He assures the inhabitants that if any of 
them should be so destitute of every principle of honor and religion as to aid or advise 
the Aborigines to come to the .\mericans. they shall be anathematized. He is now a 
commissary and issues corn to the .Aborigines. Mr. I,eChauvre informs me that Burke 
is going, in the spring, to Michilimackinac. Of consequence we may easily judge of his 
mission. He will, no doubt, try to stop the nations from coming in to the treaty. How 
would it do to take him prisoner? I think that it could be done very easily. 

March 17, 179.i. 
Sir ; . . I had very great hopes that the man who deserted when on his post 
would have been made an example of; but weakness too often appears in the shape of 
lenity, for he was only sentenced to receive one hundred lashes, to be branded, and 
drummed out. This man. from his past conduct, was perfectly entitled to the 
gallows. . . * 

March 27. 1 7!l."). 

Sir. . I-e Gris [Nag-oh-quang-ogh] the village chief of the Miami nation, and 

one of the commanding trumps in M'Kee's game, has at last come in. He stood out for 
a long time, but from a number of circumstances, too tedious to mention, that passed 
between him and me by messengers, and with Lassell, he has surrendered and. I be- 
lieve [him] fully converted. I have promised him a great deal of butter with his bread, 
but your excellency very well knows that flies are not caught with gall or bitter, particu- 
larly after having experienced for sixteen years the dulcet deceptions of the British. 
He was four days with me, during which time I had an opportunity of examining him 
with great attention. He is a sensible old fellow, and no ways ignorant of the cause of 
the war. for which he blames the .Americans, saying that they were too extravagant in 
their demands in their first treaties; that the country they claimed by virtue of the 
definitive treaty of 1783 was preposterous; that the king of Great Britain never had 
claimed their land after the conquest of Canada, and far less ever attempted to take any 
part of it without the consent of the Aborigines, and of consequence had no authoritv to 
cede their country to the United States. I have spoken with him respecting the medi- 
tated treaty of M'Kee in May next, and he very honestly told me that he had received 
wampum and tobacco on that head, but that he would, on his return, send it back and 
also send speeches to the different nations requesting them to adhere strongly to the 
preliminaries between you and them, saying that they must be sensible how they had 
been deluded by M'Kee, and entreating them at least to hear you first before they should 



224 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

come to any other determination. He is also to keep a couple of men at the rapids [at 
M'Kee's station near Fort Miami] in order to ascertain what is going on. and has prom- 
ised me that as soon as his messengers return he will come himself and give me all the 
information. 

.\pril in, 179.i. 

Sir : . . Le Gris is again with me, and tells me that the two first chiefs of the 
Potawotamies of the St. Joseph [River] passed his camp the other day, from Detroit, 
with four horses loaded with presents. These chiefs informed him that a speech from 
lord Dorchester [Governor of Canada] had arrived at Detroit directed to all nations, 
wherein he assures them of his friendship and of his readiness to support them in all 
their distresses. He invites them to make peace with the United States, if they can do 
it on honorable terms, and tells them that they will see him before the time of our 
treaty. One would suppose that his lordship is coming up to Detroit to feel, himself, 
the pulse of the Aborigines. 

April 3.5, 17S)."). 

Sir : The .\borigines are truly starving, and say that we must support them, at 
least until they have made corn, as it will not do for them to ask provision of the British 
without remaining with them. 

Fort Wayne June 17, 17!l."). 

Sir ; . . The Miamies go to Greenville tomorrow. I believe they are the last 
that will pass this way. Enclosed is a letter from Major Hunt. I believe that M'Kee 
is using every strategem to prevent the treaty, but the bayonet of the 20th of August last 
[the Battle of Fallen Timber] embarrasses him. . . J. F. Hamtramck. 

The diplomacy of General Wayne and his agents was successful 
and, 1st ]anuary, 1795, he sent a message to the petitioning Wyandots 
at Sandusky that the chiefs of the Chipi^ewas, Ottawas, Sacs, Potta- 
wotamis, and Miamis had arrived at Fort Wayne and would soon visit 
him at Greenville in the interest of peace. The 24th January he re- 
ported to the Secretary of War that two preliminary articles of peace 
had been signed by him and the sachems and war chiefs of the Chip- 
]iewas, Pottawotamis, Sacs, and Miamis. These preliminary articles 
provided that hostilities should cease; that there should be a meeting 
for council and treaty at Greenville, Ohio, on or about the 15th June, 
1795 •. and that immediate information should be given to General 
Wayne of all hostile movements that came to the knowledge of any of 
the Aborigines; and the General was to reciprocate. 

The Delawares soon visited Fort Defiance and exchanged prison- 
ers to the number of nine, this being all of the Aborigines then held at 
that place. John Brickell, from whom this infonnation is obtained* 
then fourteen vears of age, had been a captive with the Delawares four 
years and on this occasion keenly felt the want of another Aborigine 
prisoner of war that he also, might be exchanged. In May, however, 
the Delawares appeared across the Maumee from Fort Defiance and 
discharged their guns in salute. The garrison of the Fort returned 



* The American Pioneer 1842 volume i. page 54. 



PRELIMINARIES TO THE GREAT TREATY. 225 

the salute with a cannon shot for uach Stati- in the Union, then num- 
Ixrinu lilticn. Al tliis visit Hrickill was surrcndcnd to the garrison 
with some sentiment on the i)ait of the Aborigines, and ^;oo(l fellow- 
shi]) prevailed.* 

Tni-: 'I'kkatv at (ikkkwii.i.k. 

Meantime s^ronnd was cleared at Greenville, an am])le Council 
House was built, a large (juantity of clothing and other useful articles 
were ol)tained for presents, and bountiful supplies received for the 
feeding and entertainment of large numbers of Aborigines during the 
summer. 

.\bout the 1st I une, a considerable number ol l.>ela\vare, Ottawa, 
Pottawotami and \iv\ River Aborigines began to arrive, and they were 
well received. t Others arrived each day, and the general council was 
opened June 16th with a goodly attendance. After smoking the 
Calumet of Peace, an oath of accuracy and fidelity was subscribed to 
by eight interpreters, and by Henry DeButts as Secretary. General 
Wayne as presiding officer, stated the object of the council, exhibited 
his commission received from Presidt nt \\'ashington, and j ut all 
present in good humor by his hapi)y remarks, saying in closing: 
The heavens are bright, the roads open; w'e will rest in jjeace and 
love, and wait the arrival of our brothers [the tardy .Aborigines who, 
at similar times like sulking children, desired to be sent for with 
special overtures]. In the interim we will have a little drink to wash 
the dust from our throats. We will on this hapjjv occasion be merry 
without, however, passing tiie liounds of temperance and sobriety." 
The council was then adjourned until the arrival of the other chiefs. 

Forty Pottawotamis arrived June 17th and were reci'ived by the 
General. Chief Kuck-on-ge-he-las with a party of Delawares, and Asi- 
me-the with Pottawotamis arrived June 21st and were received at the 
Council House, and June 23rd Le Gris, LittU- Turtle and seventeen 
other Miamis arrived. The 25th some Chippewas arrived : and other 
Chippewas with Pottawotamis came the next day. 

The third day ol Julv General \\'ayne called all the .Xborigines to- 
gether and c'xi)laini.-d to them why Americans celebrated the Fourth of 
July, adding : 

To morrow we shall for the twentieth time salute the annual return of this happy 
anniversary, rendered still more dear by the brotherly union of the American and red 
people ; tomorrow all the people within these lines will rejoice ; you. my brothers, shall 
also rejoice in your respective encampments. I called you together to explain these 
matters to you ; do not, therefore, be alarmed at the report of our big guns ; they will do 



* See American Captives among the Ohio Aborigines, by Charles E. Slociim. 
T American State Papers. .\boriKine Atfairs volume i, page 5&1. 



226 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

no harm ; they will be the harbingers of peace and gladness, and their roar will ascend into 
the heavens. The flag of the United States, and the colors of this legion, shall be given 
to the wind to be fanned by its gentlest breeze in honor of the birth-day of American 
freedom. I will now shew you our colors that you may know them to-morrow. Formerly 
they were displayed as ensigns of war and battle ; now they will be exhibited as emblems 
of peace and happiness. This eagle which you now see, holds close his bunch of arrows 
whilst he seems to stretch forth, as a more valuable offering, the inestimable branch of 
peace. The Great Spirit seems disposed to incline us all to repose for the future under 
its grateful shade and wisely enjoy the blessings which attend it. 

The 4th July twenty-four additional Ottawas came to swell the 
numbers of other tribes that had been arriving almost daily. Others 
continued to come, and all were received with expressions of pleasure. 
A sachem arriving with a band of Chippewas July 18th, said to General 
Wayne We would have come in greater numbers but for Brant's en- 
deavors to prevent us' in interest of the British. 

With great thoughtfulness and circumspection General Wayne drew 
up the treaty, and he impressed all present with his cheerful yet serious 
and dignified demeanor to a careful consideration and assent to each of 
its provisions, separately. 

Little Turtle was slow in becoming possessed with the spirit of the 
meeting, but gradually became one of the principal participators, 
making ten addresses in representing the Miamis and allied tribes of 
Weas, Piankeshaws, Kaskaskias and Kickapoos. He had not been in 
favor of the former treaties, knew nothing about them because he was 
not present at their ratification by his young men who were seduced to 
this action by the other tribes. Little Turtle did not want to wholly 
surrender the portage between the head of the Maumee and Little River 
on account of the revenue derived therefrom, saying . . ' That 
place has lirought to us in the course of one day the amount of one 
hundred dollars. Let us both own this place and enjoy in common the 
advantages it affords.' . . But this could not be granted to him on 
account of the Ordinances of 1786-87 which declared portages free public 
ways. The chiefs generally and fully expressed their views as favorable 
to the former treaties, and to this one yet more liberal to the Americans, 
attributing their hostile acts, and their delays in answering the appeals 
for peace, to British influences. 

The 9th August, 1795, General Wayne wrote to the Secretary of 
War that . . "It is with infinite pleasure I now inform you that a 
treaty of peace between the United States of America and all the late 
hostile tribes of Aborigines Northwest of the Ohio, was unamimously 
and voluntarily agreed to, and cheerfully signed, by all the sachems and 
war chiefs of the respective nations on the 3rd, and exchanged on the 7th, 
instant." . . The full text of this most important Treaty is here 
reproduced, viz: 



THE MOST IMPORTANT TREATY AT GREENVILLE. 227 

A Treaty of Peace between the United States 0/ America and the Tribes of 
Aborigines called the Wyandots. Delawares. Shawnees, Ottawas. Chippewas. Potta- 
wotamies. Miamis. Eel Rivers, Weas [Ouis or Ouiotenons]. Kickapoos. Piankeshaws 
and Kaskaskias : 

To put ;in end to a destructive war, to settle all controversies, and to restore har- 
mony and friendly intercourse between the said United States and .Aborigine tribes, 
Anthony Wayne. Major-General, coinmandinK the .Xrmy of the United States, and sole 
Commissioner for the purposes above mentioned ; and the said tribes of Aborigines, by 
their sachems, chiefs, and warriors, met together at Greenville, the Head Quarters of 
said Army, have agreed on the following articles, which, when ratified by the President, 
with the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States, shall be binding on them 
and the said Aborigine tribes : 

Articlf. I. Henceforth all hostilities shall cease; peace is hereby established, and 
shall be perpetual ; and friendly intercourse shall take place between the said United 
States and Aborigine tribes. 

.\kt. 2. All prisoners shall, on both sides, be restored. The Aborigines, prisoners 
to the United States, shall be immediately set at liberty. The people of the United 
States still remaining prisoners among the Aborigines, shall be delivered up within 
ninety days from the date hereof, to the General or Commanding Officer at Greenville. 
Fort Wayne, or P'ort Defiance ; and ten chiefs of the said tribes shall remain at Green- 
ville as hostages until the delivery of the prisoners shall be effected. 

Art. 3. The General Boundary Line between the lands of the United States and 
the lands of the said Aborigine tribes, shall begin at the mouth of ("uyahoga River and 
run thence up the same to the portage between that and the Tuscarawas branch of the 
Muskingum: thence, down that branch to the crossing place above Fort Lawrence 
[Laurens] ; thence, westerly to a fork of that branch of the great Miami River, running 
into the Ohio, at or near which fork stood Loramie's store, and where commences the 
portage between the Miami of the Ohio and the St. Mary River which is a branch of 
the Miami [the Maumee River] which runs into Lake Erie; thence, a westerly course to 
Fort Recovery which stands on a branch of the Wabash; thence, southwesterly in a 
direct line to the Ohio, so as to intersect that river opposite the mouth of Kentucky or 
Cuttawa River. And, in consideration of the peace now established, of the goods 
formerly received from the United States, of those now to be delivered, and of the yearly 
delivery of goods now stipulated to be made hereafter, and to indemnify the United 
States for the injuries and expenses they have sustained during the war, the said Abo- 
rigine tribes do hereby cede and relinquish, forever, all their claims to the lands lying 
eastwardly and southwardly of the General Boundary Line now described, and these 
lands, or any part of them, shall never hereafter be made a cause or pretense, on the 
part of said tribes, or any of them, of war or injur\' to the United States, or any of the 
people thereof. 

.\nd for the same considerations, and as an evidence of the returning friendship of 
the said Aborigine tribes, of their confidence in the United States, and desire to provide 
for their accommodation, and for that convenient intercourse which will be beneficial to 
both parties, the said Aborigine trifjes do atso cede to the United States the following 
pieces of land, to wit : 1. One piece of land six miles square at or near Loramie's 
store, above mentioned. 2. One piece two miles square at the head of the navigable 
water or landing on the St. Mary River near Girty town [site of the present City of St. 
Marys]. '■'•. One piece six miles square at the head of the navigable water of the Auglaise 
River [probably near the present north line of .\uglaise County]. 4. One piece 
six miles square at the confluence of the Auglaise and Miami [Maumee] Rivers where 
Fori Defi.ince now stands. -"i. One piece six miles square at or near th? confluence of 



228 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

the Rivers St. Mary and St. Joseph where Fort Wayne now stands, or near it. 6. One 
piece two miles square on the Wabash [Little] River at the end of the portage from the 
Miami of the Lake [Maumee], and about eight miles westward from Fort Wayne. 
7. One piece six miles square at the Ouiotanon or old Wea [Quia] towns on the 
Wabash River. 8. One piece twelve miles square at the British fort, on the Miami of 
the lake [Maumee] at the foot of the Rapids. !>. One piece six miles square at the 
mouth of the said river, where it empties into the lake. 10. One piece six miles square 
upon Sandusky Lake [Bay] where a fort formerly stood. 11. One piece two miles 
square at the lower rapids of Sandusky River. 12. The post of Detroit and all the 
lands to the north, the west, and the south of it, of which the Aborigine title has been 
extinguished by gifts or grants to the French or English governments; and so much 
more land, to be annexed to the district of Detroit as shall be comprehended between the 
River Rosine [Raisin] on the south. Lake St. Clair on the north, and a line the general 
course whereof shall be six miles distant from the west end of Lake Erie and Detroit 
River. IH. The post of Michilimackinac and all the land on the island on which that 
post stands, and the main land adjacent of which the Aborigine title has been extin- 
guished by gifts or grants to the French or English governments ; and a piece on the main 
to the north of the island to measure six miles on Lake Huron, or the strait between 
Lakes Huron and Michigan and to extend three miles back from the water of the lake or 
strait;. and, also, the Island De Bois Blanc, being an extra and voluntary gift of the 
Chippewa nation. 14, One piece of land six miles square at the mouth of Chicago 
River emptying into the southwest end of Lake Michigan where a fort formerly stood. 
1,1. One piece twelve miles square at or near the mouth of the Illinois River emptying 
into the Mississippi. 1(i. One piece six miles square at the old Peorias fort and village 
near the south end of the Illinois Lake, on said Illinois River. And whenever the 
United States shall think proper to survey and mark the boundaries of the lands hereby 
ceded to them, they shall give timely notice thereof to the said tribes of Aborigines that 
they may appoint some of their wise chiefs to attend and see that the lines are run 
according to the terms of this Treaty. And the said Aborigine tribes will allow to the 
people of the United States a free passage by land and by water, as one and the other 
shall be found convenient, through their country, along the chain of posts hereinbefore 
mentioned ; that is to say, from the commencement of the portage aforesaid, at or near 
Loramie's store, thence along said portage to the St. Mary and down the same to Fort 
Wayne, and then down the Miami [Maumee] to Lake Erie; again, from the commence- 
ment of the portage at or near Loramie's store along the portage ; from thence to the 
River Auglaise, and down the same to its junction with the Miami [Maumee] at Fort 
Defiance ; again, from the commencement of the portage aforesaid to Sandusky River, 
and down the same to Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie ; and from Sandusky to the post 
which shall be taken at or near the Foot of the Rapids of the Miami of the Lake 
[Maumee] ; and from thence to Detroit. Again, from the mouth of the Chicago to the 
commencement of the portage between that river and the Illinois, and down the Illinois 
River to the Mississippi; also, from B'ort Wayne along the portage aforesaid, which 
leads to the Wabash, and then down the Wabash to the Ohio. And the said Aborigine 
tribes will, also, allow to the people of the United States the free use of the harbors and 
mouths of rivers along the lakes adjoining the Aborigine lands, for sheltering vessels and 
boats, and liberty to land their cargoes where necessary for their safety. 

Art. 4. In consideration of the peace now established, and of the cessions and 
relinquishments of lands made in the preceding Article by the said tribes of Aborigines, 
and to manifest the liberality of the United States, as the great means of rendering this 
peace strong and perpetual, the United States relinquish their claims to all other Abo- 
rigine lands northward of the River Ohio, eastward of the Mississippi, and westward and 
southward of the Great Lakes, and the waters uniting them, according to the boundary 



TEXT OF TREATY AT GREENVILLE IN 1795. 229 

line agreed on by the United States and the King of Great Britain, in the treaty of 
peace made between them in the year 178H. But. from this relinquishment by the 
United States, the following tracts of land are explicitly excepted. 1st. The tract of 
one hundred and fifty thousand acres near the rapids of the River Ohio, which has been 
assigned to General [George Kogers] Clark for the use of himself and his warriors. 
2d. The post of St. Vincennes on the Kiver Wabash, and the lands adjacent of which 
the Aborigine title has been extinguished. M. The lands at all other places in poss- 
ession of the French people and other white settlers among them of which the Aborigine 
title has been extinguished, as mentioned in the 'M .Xrticle ; and Ith. The post of Fort 
Massac towards the mouth of the Ohio. To which several parcels of land, so excepted, 
the said tribes relinquish all the title and claim which they or any of them may have. 

And for the same considerations, and with the same views as above mentioned, the 
United States now deliver to the said Aborigine tribes a quantity of goods to the value of 
twenty thousand dollars, the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge ; and hence- 
forward, every year forever, the United States will deliver at some convenient place 
northward of the Kiver Ohio, like useful goods, suited to the circumstances of the 
Aborigines, of the value of nine thousand five hundred dollars ; reckoning that value at 
the first cost of the goods in the city or place in the United States where they shall be 
procured. The tribes to which those goods are to be annually delivered, and the pro- 
portions in which they are to be delivered, are the following : 

1st. To the Wyandots, the amount of one thousand dollars. 2nd. To the Dela- 
awares. the amount of one thousand dollars. ^ird. To the Shawanese. the amount of 
one thousand dollars. 4th. To the Miamies. the amount of one thousand dollars, 
"jth. To the Ottawas. the amount of one thousand dollars, (ith. To the Chippewas, 
the amount of one thousand dollars. 7th. To the Pottawatamies. the amount of one 
thousand dollars. 8th. .\nd to the Kickapoo, Wea, Eel Kiver, I'iankeshaw, and 
Kaskaskia, tribes, the amount of five hundred dollars each. 

Provided, that if either of the said tribes shall, hereafter, at an annual delivery of 
their share of the goods aforesaid, desire that a part of their annuity should be furnished 
in domestic animals, implements of husbandry, and other utensils convenient for them, 
and in compensation to useful artificers who may reside with or near them, and be 
employed for their benefit, the same shall, at the subsequent annual deliveries be 
furnished accordingly. 

.\kt. ."). To prevent any misunderstanding about the Aborigine lands relinquished 
by the United States in the Fourth Article, it is now explicitly declared that the mean- 
ing of that relinquishment is this The .\borigine tribes who have a right to those 
lands are quietly to enjoy them, hunting, planting, and dwelling thereon, so long as they 
please, without any molestation from the United States: but when those tribes, or any 
of them, shall be disposed to sell their lands, or any part of them, they are to be sold 
only to the United States ; and until such sale the United States will protect all the said 
Aborigine tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their lands against all citizens of the United 
States, and against all other white persons who intrude upon the same, .-^nd the said 
.\borigine tribes again acknowledge themselves to be under the protection of the United 
States, and no other Power whatever. 

Art. 6. If any citizen of the United States, or any other white person or persons, 
shall presume to settle upon the lands now relinquished by the United States, such 
citizen or other person shall be out of the protection of the United States ; and the 
■A.borigine tribe on whose land the settlement shall be made may drive off the settler, or 
punish him in such manner as they shall think fit ; and because such settlements made 
without the consent of the United States will be injurious to them, as well as to the 
Aborigines, the United States shall be at liberty to break them up, and remove and 



250 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

punish the settlers as they shall think proper, and so effect that protection of the AVio- 
rigine lands herein before stipulated. 

Art. 7. The said tribes of Aborigines, parties to this treaty, shall be at liberty to 
hunt within the territory and lands which they have now ceded to the United States, 
without hindrance or molestation, so long as they demean themselves peaceably, and 
offer no injury to the people of the United States. 

Art. 8. Trade shall be opened with the said Aborigine tribes ; and they do hereby 
respectively engage to afford protection to such persons, with their property, as shall 
be duly licensed to reside among them for the purpose of trade, and to their agents and 
servants ; but no person shall be permitted to reside at any of their towns or hunting 
camps as a trader, who is not furnished with a license for that purpose, under the hand 
and seal of the Superintendent of the Department Northwest of the Ohio, or such other 
person as the President of the United States shall authorize to grant such licenses, to the 
end that the said .\borigines may not be imposed on in their trade. And if any licensed 
trader shall abuse his privilege by unfair dealing, upon complaint and proof thereof, his 
license shall be taken from him, and he shall be further punished according to the laws 
of the United States. And if any person shall intrude himself as a trader without such 
licence, the said Aborigines shall take and bring him before the Superintendent or his 
Deputy, to be dealt with according to law. And, to prevent impositions by forged licences, 
the said Aborigines shall, at least once a year, give information to the Superintendent, or 
his Deputies, of the names of the traders residing among them. 

Art. 1). Lest the firm peace and friendship now established should be interrupted 
by the misconduct of individuals, the United States and the said .Aborigine tribes agree 
that, for injuries done by individuals on either side, no private revenge or retaliation 
shall take place : but, instead thereof, complaint shall be made by the party injured to 
the other ; by the said Aborigine tribes, or any of them, to the President of the 
United States, or the Superintendent by him appointed ; and by the Superintendent, or 
other person appointed by the President, to the principal Chiefs of the said Aborigine 
tribes, or of the tribe to which the offender belongs ; and such prudent measures shall 
then be pursued as shall be necessary to preserve the said peace and friendship 
unbroken, until the Legislature (or great council) of the United States shall make other 
equitable provision in the case to the satisfaction of both parties. Should any Aborigine 
tribes meditate a war against the United States or either of them, and the same shall 
come to the knowledge of the before mentioned tribes, or either of them, they do hereby 
engage to give immediate notice thereof to the General, or officer commanding the 
troops of the United States at the nearest post. And should any tribe with hostile 
intentions against the United States, or either of them, attempt to pass through their 
country, they will endeavor to prevent the same, and in like manner give information of 
such attempt to the General, or officer commanding, as soon as possible, that all causes 
of mistrust and suspicion may be avoided between them and the United States. In like 
manner the United States shall give notice to the said Aborigine tribes of any harm that 
may be meditated against them, or either of them, that shall come to their knowledge, 
and do all in their power to hinder and prevent the same, that the friendship between 
them may be uninterrupted. 

.\rt. 10. .All other treaties heretofore made between the United States and the 
said Aborigine tribes, or any of them, since the treaty of 17S3 between the United States 
and Great Britain, that come within the purview of this treaty, shall henceforth cease, 
and become void. 

In testimony whereof, the said Anthony Wayne, and the Sachems and War Chiefs 
of the before mentioned nations and tribes of Aborigines, have hereunto set their hands 
and affixed their seals. 



SIGNATURES TO THE TREATY AT GREENVILLE. 251 



Done at CJreenville, in the Territory of the United States Northwest of the River 
Ohio, on the third day of August, One thousand seven hundred and ninety-five. 

[Signed] Antv Waynk [L. S.] 



(2^^^^ 







Jj.^o.j(.^ 







\ 



}■ 








Siwnaliirfs to tlje Treaty at Greenville. Ohio. ITS.'i. The 
iiaines weie written by the Secretary and each .^borij-ine 
chief matte a mark or imitation of an animal opposite a 
seal. This and the two followina plates are copied from 
the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly, vol- 
ume xii. for which publication they were taken from the 
original dornment at Wa.shineton. 

WVANDOTS. 
Tarhe. or Crane. 
J. Williams, Jun. 
Teyyaghtaw. 

Haroenyon or Half King's Son. 
Tehaawtoreus. 
.\wmeyeeray. 
Stayetah. 

Shateyyaronyah or Leather Lips. 
Daughshuttayah. 
Shaawrunthe. 

Delawares. 
Tetabokshke or Grand Glaise King. 
Lemantanquis or Black King. 
Wabatthoe. 






'y^taa^ -^14.. way 






Maghpiway or Red Feather. 

Kikthawenund or Anderson. 

Bukongehelas. 

Peekeelund. 

Wellebawkeelund. 

Peekeetelemund or Thomas Adams. 

Kishkopekund or Capt. Buffalo. 

.\menahehan or Capt. Crow. 

Queshawksey or George Washington. 

Weywinquis or Billy Siscomb. 

Moses. 

Shawnees. 

Misquacoonacaw or Red Pole. 

Cutthewekasaw or Black Hoof. 

Kaysewaesekah. 

Weythapamattha. 

Nianymseka. 

Waytheah or Long Shanks. 

Weyapiersenwaw or Blue Jacket. 

Nequetaughaw. 

Hahgooseecaw or Capt. Reed. 



232 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASfN. 



O- ^t^ Oj 

\ <^f-. acu. oji-'- i^aru 






JuAZie.) 




Ottawa. 

Chegonickska. an Ottawa (rom Sandusky 

Pattawatimas of the River 
St. Jo.sefh. 

Thupenebu. 

Nawac. for himself and brother Etsi- 
methe. 

Nenanseka. 

Keesass or Sun. 

Kabamasaw. for himself and brother 
Chisaugan. 

Sugganunk. 

Wapmemcor White Pigeon. 

Wacheness. for himself and brother 
Pedagoshok. 

Wabshicawnaw. 

LaChasse. 

Meshegethenogh. for himself and broth- 
er Wawasek. 

Hingoswash. 

Anewasaw. 

Nawbudgh. 



Missenogomaw. 
Waweegshe. 
Thawme or Le Blanc. 
Geeque, for himself and brother She- 
winse. 

Pattawatimes of Huron. 
Okia. 
Chamung. 
Segagewan. 
Nanawme. for himself and brother 

A. Gin. 
Marchand. 
W'enameac. 

MlAMIS. 

Nagohquangogh or Le Gris. 
Meshekunnoghquoh or Little Turtle. 

Ottawas. 
Augooshaway. 
Keenoshameek. 
La Malice. 
Machiwetah. 
Thowonawa. 
Secaw. 

Chippewas. 

Mashipinashiwish or Bad Bird. 

Nahshogashe from Lake Superior. 

Kathawasung. 

Masass. 

Nemekass or Little Thunder. 

Peshawkay or Young Ox. 

Nanguey. 

Meenedohgeesogh. 

Peewanshemenogh. 

Weymegwas. 

Peewanshemenogh. 

Weymegwas. 

Gobmatick. 

MiAMis AND Eel Rivers. 
Peejeewa or Richard Ville. 
Cochkepoghtogh. 

Eel River Tribe. 
Shamekunnesa or Soldier. 

MlAMIS. 

Wapamangwa or White Loon. 
Weas for Themselves and Pianke- 

SHAWS. 

Amacunsa or Little Beaver. 
Acoolatha or Little P'ox. 
Francis. 



WITNESSES AND INTERPRETERS AT GREENVILLE. 255 

KlCKAHOOS AND KaSKASKIAS. UkI.AWAKKS OK SaNDUSKV. 

Keeawhah. Hawkinpumisha. 

NemiKhka or Josi-y Kenard. Peyamawksey. 

raikeekano^h. Keyntueco of the Six Nations living at Sandusky. 

In presence of (the word 'goods' in the (ith line of the iird article; the word 'before' 
in the '^(ith line of the 3rd article ; the words ' live hundred ' in the 10th line of the Ith 
article, and the word 'Piankeshaw' in the 14th line of the 1th article, beinfj first interlined): 

H. UeHutts first .\. U. C. and Secy to Major General Wayne. \Vm. H. Harrison 
Aide-de-camp to Major General Wayne, T. Lewis Aide-de-camp to Major General Wayne. 
James D'Hara (Quarter Master General. John Mills Major of Infantry and Adjutant 
General. Caleb Swan L. M. T. U. S. Geo. Cemter Lieut. .'Artillery U. S. A. N. Sr. 
LaFontaine. Grant Lasselle. H. Lasselle. Wm. Geo. Pean. Jun. David Jones Chap- 
lain U. S. L[egion]. Louis Beaufait. K. Echambre. L. Copen U. S. L[egion]. Baties 
Coutien. S. Navarre -[Signed as witnesses; also the sworn interpreters named below]. 

Tlio number of Aborigines, and of tribes and bands, credited as at 
the Treaty of Greenville are as follows, viz: 

Tribes. Number. Sworn Interpreters. 

Wyandots. 180 Isaac Zane and .Abraham Williams. 

Delawares, :W1 Cabot Wilson. 

Shawnees, 14.'i Jacques Lasselle and Christopher Miller. 
Ottawas, I.') 1 

Chippewas, Ml - M. Morans and Bt. Sans Crainte. 

Pottawotamis, '-'Id \ 
Miamis and Eel Rivers, 7.'i j 

Weas and Piankeshaws, 12 ■ William Wells. 

Kickapoos and Kaskaskias, 10 ) 

Total, 12. IKiO 

A number of hostile Cherokees who were lingering around the 
head -waters of the Scioto River did not accept the invitations to the 
council at Greenville and, iird .\ugust, 1797), General Wayne notified 
them of the Treaty with all the other tribes and, also, of the treaty re- 
centl\' effected with their brethren of the South. He also notified them to 
immediately accept his last invitation to come to Greenville and enter 
into articles of peace or they would stand alone and unprotected. Some 
of them accompained Captain Longhair, a principal Cherokee chief and 
General Wayne's messenger, to Greenville and soon thereafter 
accompained the chief to the South. The others promised to hunt 
c)uietly along the Scioto until their crops ripened when they would re- 
turn to their brethren in the South to remain ptrmanentl\ with thein. 

The Aborigines lingered at Greenville about one week after the 
completion of the Treaty, exjilaining some of the late thieving raids of 
their young men which they promised to correct : in e.xchanging congrat- 
ulations : and in receiving the medals, and the twenty thousand dollars 
worth of goods mentioned in the Treaty. In Council the 10th August, 
General W^ayne, thinking it time to draw the meetings to a close, gave 
his admiralili- farewell address, viz : 



234 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Children : All you nations listen. By the seventh article of this treaty all the 
lands now ceded to the United States are free for all the tribes now present to hunt 
upon, so long as they continue to be peaceable, and do no injury to the people 
thereof. It is, therefore, the common interest of you all to prevent any mischief being 
" done upon those hunting grounds. Those people who have committed the late outrage on 
our peaceable inhabitants, had been hunting on those grounds and, after finishing their 
hunt, proceeded to the commission of the bad actions of which I have complained. 
These practices, for the reasons I have already given you, must have an immediate end. 

The Red Pole, [a Shawnee Chief] has behaved like a candid, honest man, in 
acknowledging the errors of his people, and in promising to restrain them immediately. 
He has done more ; he has offered to leave his own father as a hostage until he can 
inform me of his having called them home; but I will not separate him from his old 
father; I will depend upon his honor for the performance of his promise. (Here he 
gave a string of white wampum to Red Pole. ) 

All you, my children, listen to me. The great business of peace, so long and 
ardently wished for by your great and good father. General Washington and the Fifteen 
Fires [the number of States then in the Union] and, I am sure, by every good man 
among you, being now accomplished, nothing remains but to give you a few words of 
advice from a father anxious for the peace and happiness of his children. Let me 
earnestly exhort you to restrain your young people from injuring, in any degree, the 
people of the United States. Impress upon their minds the spirit and meaning of the 
treaty now before us. Convince them how much their future welfare will depend upon 
their faithful and strict observance of it. Restore to me as soon as possible all my flesh 
and blood which may be among you, without distinction or exception, and receive now 
from my hands the ten hostages stipulated by the second article to be left with me as a 
security for their delivery. This unequivocal proof of the confidence that I place in 
your honor, and in the solemn promises you have made me, must satisfy you of my full 
persuasion of your sincerity. Send those ten young men to collect your prisoners ; let 
them bring them to me, and they shall be well rewarded for their trouble. I have here 
a particular account of the number remaining among you, and shall know them when 
they are all restored. 

I now fervently pray to the Great Spirit that the peace now established may be 
permanent, and that it may hold us together, in the bonds of friendship until time shall 
be no more. I also pray that the Great Spirit above may enlighten your minds, and 
open your eyes to your true happiness; that your children may learn to cultivate the 
earth, and enjoy the fruits of peace and industry. ( Here he gave a string of white 
wampum. ) 

As it is probable, my children, that we shall not soon meet again in public council, I 
take this opportunity of bidding you all an affectionate farewell, and of wishing you a 
safe and happy return toyour respective homesand families. (Gave white string wampum.) 

Each of the more prominent chiefs desired to have the last word 
with General Wayne who had pleased them exceedingly in his words, 
in his conduct of the business in hand, and in his entertainment of them. 
Buck-on-ge-he-las, the great war chief of the Delawares, seemed to voice 
the sentiments of all when he said : 

Your children all well understand the sense of the Treaty which is now concluded. 
We experience daily proofs of your increasing kindness. I hope we may all have sense 
enough to enjoy our dawning happiness. Many of your people are yet among us. I 
trust they will be immediately restored. Last winter our King [Te-ta-boksh-ke] came 
forward to you with two [captives] and when he returned with your speech to us, we 



FAVORABLE CLOSING OF TREATY AT GREENVILLE. 235 

imnu!(li:itt^ly prejiared to come forward with tin; remainder, which we delivered at l*"orl 
Defiance.* All who know me. know me to be a man and a warrior, and I now declare 
that I will for the future be as true and steady a friend to the United States as I have 
heretofore been an active enemy. We have one bad man amon^ us who. a few days 
ago, stole three of your horses ; two of them shall this day be returned to you. and 1 
hope I shall be able to prevent that youny man from doin^ any more mischief to our 
Father the Fifteen Fires [States]. 

The 9th September between sixty and seventy refractory and hostile 
Shawnee warriors, led by Chief Puck-se-kaw or Jumper, arrived at 
Greenville and wished to be counted in the Treaty. From the efforts 
of Chief Blue jacket they brought and surrendered four .American 
captives three of whom were taken in Randoli)h County, N'irginia, the 
13th |nl\. These biiiif.; the last of the malcontents, General Wayne 
turned his attention tn matters best calculated to make the Treaty, and 
peace, permaiTient. 



"It was the Delawares. or Leiiiii Leiiapes. who took captive ttie child Frances Slocuiii 3tid 
November. 177H. following lire horrible Wyoming Massacre. She was not restored ; nor was she dis- 
covered to her snrvivinn relatives until after a residence with the Delawares and Miamis for about fifty- 
nine years. This was in many particulars the most remarkable captivity on record, and the one best 
illustrating the influence of heredity over environment. See Miner's, Stone's, Chapman's, and Peck's 
History of Wyoming: The Pennsylvania Archives; Lossiny's Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution : 
The Story of the Lost Sister by Rev. John rodd ; The History of the Slocums in America volumes i and 
ii, by Dr, Charles E. Slocuin ; and The Biography of Frances Slocum hy John F. Meyinness. 



PH 


n|:|. 


''''Ml 


1 ■- ::!i:::i.:'H!.;.; 


w 


w 



SECTION OF BELT OF W.\MPL'M 



236 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Treaties — The Aborigines — Organizations for Civil Govern- 
ment — Renewal of Hostilites. 
1795 TO 1H12. 

The United States concluded a treaty of friendship, ot limits, and 
of navigation with Spain October 27, 1795. This treaty further allayed 
for a time the feelinjj; of anxiety and unrest with some and of ambition 
with others, and contributed to th(.- strengthenintf of the bond of union 
lietween the West and the East. This was also a year of much migra- 
tion from the East, with increase of settlements along the rivers of 
southern Ohio, other southern parts of the Northwest Territory, and 
south of the Ohio River. 

Colonel Hamtramck's letters to General Wayne during the winter of 
1795-96 describe the temper of the Aborigines, and their disinclination 
to supply the wants of the younger and older members of the tribe, viz : 

Fort Wayne December lii, ITil."). 
Sir; . . The issues to the Aborigines would be very inconsiderable this winter if 
it was not for about ninety old women and children with some very old men, who live 
near us and have no other mode of subsisting but by the garrison. I have repeatedly 

tried to get clear of them, but without success. 

January l^i, ITilli. 

Sir: . .\bout ninety old women and children have been victualled by the 

garrison. I have, yesterday, given them five days' provisions and told them it was the 
last they should have until spring. I was obliged to do so because, from calculation, I 
have no more flour than will last me until spring. But, sir, if other supplies could be 
got by land, I consider it politic to teed these poor creatures, who will suffer very much 
for want of subsistence. 

The military stations in and near this Basin :-jrd Februar\ , 179(5, 
were: Forts Defiance, Wayne, Miami (the British fort by the lower 
Maumee, which the Americans expected would soon be surrendered) 
and Sandusky, all of which, excepting Miami, aggregated a force of one 
battalion of infantry, one company of riflemen, and one company of 
artillery at Fort W^ayne which fort was the headquarters for these 
posts; also Forts Adams, Recovery, Jefferson, Loramie, Head of 
the Auglaise, and Greenville the headquarters of this group, with an 
aggregate of one battalion of infantr\- and one company of riflemen 
divided among them. The forts recommended March 29, 1796, to be 
maintained were: Defiance, Wayne, Adams, Recovery, Head of 
Auglaise, Miami and Michilimackinac, each by a garrison of fiftv-six 
men; and Detroit with one hundred and twelve men — Detroit and 
Miami being yet in possession of the British. 



•See American State Papers. Military Affairs volume ii. pages 113, 115 



BRITISH AGAIN COUNCILLING WITH THE SAVAGES. 257 

In |anii,u\, ITDH, Girnral WayriL- visittd the seat ot the ni--neral 
Gnvernment, i)r()l)al)ly to give opinion rc-Rarding the British forts in 
American territory. Great courtesy and deference were fjiven him in 
Philadelphia and his native County of Chester near-by. He i)laced 
General Janus Wilkinson in charge of the Northwestern .Army during 
his absence with headquarters at Greenville, and it was to him that the 
following letters of the series of Colonel Hamtramck were addressed, 

viz : 

Fort Wayne February 10, ITIMi. 

Sir : . . Sometime ago I wrote you that I had refused provisions to a number of 
old men, women, and children of the Delaware nation. But I have since been compelled 
to give to them or see them die. It was impossible to refuse. . . 

March 28, IT'.Mi. 

Sir : . . I am out of wampum. I will be much obliged to you to send me some, 
for speaking to an .\borigine without it is like consulting a lawyer without a fee.* . . 

The British agents again succeeded in arousing dissatisfaction 
among some of the Aborigines, and a council was called in the interest 
of the British for June, 1796, near their Fort Miami. To counteract 
these influences General Wilkinson invited some of the chiefs to visit 
him and, later, Colonel Hamtramck passed down the Maumee River 
with a detachment of troo])s for the purpose of being near those Al)o- 
rigines attending the council. The parts of his letters to General 
Wilkinson regarding these movements, are here excerpted: 

April .i, ITilli. 
Sir: . . Little Turtle [war-chief of the MiamisJ arrived yesterday, to whom I 
delivered vour message. His answer was, to present his compliments to you, that he 
was very glad of the invitation, as he wished very much to see General Wilkinson, but it 
is impossible for him to go to Greenville at present, as he had ordered all his young men 
to repair to a rendezvous in order, when assembled, to choose a place for their perma- 



* Wampum to the Aborigines served the purpose of money, and far more than motiey. It was not 
only a standard of value and a medium of exchanire, but it was worn as an ornament and a badge of 
wealth, and of position. It was also employed as symbols of various sentiments as an invitation to join 
in war, and as emblems of various sentiments of peace and good will in councils. Originally it was of 
any bright, hard and smooth object that could be fastened to the ears, nose, neck, waist, arms or lower 
limbs. It was also formed from MoUusk shells — from the larger clam shells of the rivers, and from shells 
thrown upon the shore by the waves of the lakes, and the salt sea. The shells were broken into small 
pieces which were drilled by pieces of fiint. wood and sand, and shaped and smoothed usually into 
cylinders one-eighth inch or more in diameter, and one-fourth to a half inch or more in length, by rubbing 
them on stones of varying roughness. Considerable time, patience and skill were necessary to make 
pieces somewhat uniform in size for placing on strings of hemp or bark liber or from skins of animals. 
These strings were often fastened side by side to form belts, usually of few strings width, but sometimes 
of eight, ten, twelve or more wide. Dark beads came from the ' eye ' of the shell. In some tribes they 
were known as socki and were of twice the value of the ordinary white beads called VVompi. Sections of 
bones were used as wainpum. also the claws and beaks of birds and the teeth of animals; but the latter 
could not be so readily drilled or fastened together and to the person as substances of less hardness. 

Wampum was also a medium of payment and exchange among the Europeans in America as well as 
between them and the .aborigines. See engravings of wampum on page 23.5 and later. 

The Hollanders for some years, in the early part of the seventeenth century, were the principal 
manufacturers and wholesale dealers in wampum of various colored glass'and porcelain, in various forms 
and sizes. This wampum was a great attraction to the Aborigines who eagerly exchanged the skins of 



238 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

nent residence ; that, as soon as that object shall be accomplished he would go to see 
you, which, he said, would be by the time he hears from you again. 

April 18, 1790. 
Sir : . The bearer is Captain Blue Jacket [a war-chief of the Shawnees] who, 

at your request, is now going to Greenville. Blue Jacket is used to good company and is 
always treated with more attention than other Aborigines. He appears to be very well 
disposed, and I believe him sincere.* . 

Camp Deposit [Koche de Bout] June .S, 17!Mi. 
Sir: 1 arrived at this place the day before yesterday and have been waiting the 
result of the Aborigine council at the [British] Miamis fort. It would appear that they 
are divided in their opinions. White Cap, the principal Shawanese chief, wants to 
alarm the Aborigines, but I am in hopes he will not succeed. Blue Jacket is with me, 
and says that he will remain until your arrival. Yesterday some of their chiefs and 
young men were with me, and assured me of their good intentions towards us. How far 
this can be depended upon time will determine. 

Camp Deposit June 10, 17fKi. 
Sir; . . Two of my men deserted on the 14th inst. I sent my interpreter and 
an Aborigine after them. They brought them back last night. I wish they had brought 
their scalps for I know not what to do with them. Could I have power, at times, to call 
a general court martial for the trial of deserters, it would save a great deal of time. 

J. F. Hamtramck. 

The British Surrender the Forts. 

John lav Special Minister to Great Britain concluded a treaty liHh 
November, 1794, known as the Jay Treaty, which was favorable to the 
Northwest Territory inasmuch as one of its provisions was for the 
N/ British abandonment of their military posts on American soil on or 
before the 1st June, 1796. This treaty was proclaimed as a law by 
the President 1st March, 1796. The •27th May General Wilkinson 
sent Captain Schaumberg his aide-de-camp to Detroit to demand of 
Colonel P^ngland the evacuation of the forts subject to his orders — 



the best tur-bearine animals tor it. In the year 1627 De Rasiers with a Holland trading vessel from New 
.Amsterdam (now New York) entered Plymouth Harbor and traded this wampum to the Puritans to the 
value of £'tO. By the year I&IO it was quite generally used as money, on account of the scarcity of silver 
and Hold, tliiouyhout the northern Colonies, exclusively in some places, as the most convenient article 
for exchange of values although it was considered in places 'but a commodity, and it is unreasonable 
that it should be forced upon any m^n.' — Rhode Island Colonial Records. 1663. Wampum was current 
in New York and throughout the East for fare in public conveyances, also in many places for taxes and 
for goods until near the close of the eighteenth century, and yet later in this Basin. Strings of wampum 
were of definite length and were used as measurers as well as for exchange. In the year 1666 the Con- 
necticut Assembly made a land grant of ' Fifty fathoms of Wompom ' size. 

* After Chief Blue Jacket joined the Americans Colonel M'Kee British .\cenl said to him: The 
commission [see Index reference to Blue Jacket] you received from Sir John Johnson was not given you 
to carry to the .Americans. I am grieved to tind that you have taken it to them lat the preliminary 
treaty in January. 179.51. it was with much regret I learned that you had deserted your friends [the 
British! who always caressed you and treated you as a great man. Vou have deranged, by your im- 
prudent conduct, all our plans for protecting the Aborigines and keeping them with us. They have 
always looked up to you for advice and direction in war, and you have now broken the strong ties which 
held them all together under your and our direction. You must now be viewed as the enemy of your 
people and the other .aborigines whom you are seducing into the snares the Americans have formed for 
their ruin; and the massacre and destruction of these people by the Americans must be laid to your 
charge -Bulterfields History o/ thl Girtys page 396. 



AMERICANS TAKE POSSESSION OF BRITISH FORTS. 239 

Fort LtrnouU at IKtroit, Fort Miami near the toot oi the Maumee 
Rapids, and Fort Michilimackinac ; hut Colonel England had received 
no ordirs so to do from his superior officer and could not comply with 
the demand. The British, however, had been building a fort at 
Mald( 11, near Captain Matthew Elliott's estate, at the present Amiurst- 
burg on the left bank and near the mouth of Detroit River. 

The first ot June having passed without a movement of the liritish 
to vacate the forts, thi- War Deiiartmint decided with General Wavne 
to make one more formal demand. Accordingly Captain Lewis was 
sent from Thiladeljihia direct to Lord Dorchester who received him, 
and the demand from luadiiuarters, with great civility, and caused 
orders to be drawn and given to him commanding the officers in charge 
of the Forts — Oswego, Niagara, Miami, Lernoult, and Michilimackinac 
— to vacate them to " such officer belonging to the forces of the United 
States as shall produce this authority to you for that purpose, who 
shall precede the troops destined to garrison it by one day, in order 
that he may have time to view the nature and condition of the works 
and buildings." The orders for the surrender of Forts Oswego and 
Niagara were handed liy Captain Lewis on his return to Captain liruff 
at .\lban\ , and those for the other forts were given to General Wayne 
at Philadelphia who immediately dispatched them to General Wilkin- 
son at Greenville and he sent them to Colonel Hamtramck who also 
acted with promptness as shown by his report to General Wilkinson, 

Fort Miami July 11. ITlHi. 
SiK : On the 7th instant two small vessels arrived from Detroit in which I sent a 
detachment of artillery and infantry consisting of sixty-five men, together with a number 
of cannon with ammunition. &c., &c.. the whole under the command of Captain [Moses] 
Porter. On the 9th a sloop arrived from Detroit at Swan Creek, purchased by Captain 
Henry DeButts, which carries fifty tons, and which is now loaded with flour, quarter- 
master's stores and troops. That, together with eleven batteaux which I have, will be 
sufficient to take all the troops I have with me. leaving the remainder of our stores 
deposited at this place, which was evacuated [by the British] on this day, and where I 
have left Captain Marschalk and Lieutenant Shauklin with fifty-two men, infantry, and 
a corporal and six of artillery, that is, including the garrison at the head of the Rapids 
[Roche de Bout?]. I have endowed Fort Miami with one month's provision for both the 
troops and the Shawanese. The latter, you recollect, you promised subsistence until 
the crops were ripe. The number of the Shawanese is about one hundred and eighty, 
besides twenty-six or thirty Ottawas. I shall embark in two hours, with all the troops, 
for Detroit. 

Detroit, July 17, 17!l(). 

Sir ; I have the pleasure to inform you of the arrival of the troops under my com- 
mand at this place [Fort Lernoult] which was evacuated [by the British] on the 11th 
instant and [was] taken possession of by a detachment of sixty-five men commanded by 
Captain Moses Porter, whom I had detached from the foot of the [Maumee] Rapids for 
that purpose. Myself and the troops arrived on the l.'ith instant. 

To Major General Wilkinson. J' ^' H.\mtr.^mck. 



240 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Thus was accomplished, after a further struggle of thirteen years 
by the young Republic with the loss of much blood, what Great Brit- 
ain should have at once surrendered at the close of the Revolutionary 
War in 1783 according to the Treaty of Paris. Instead of her arrogant 
and continued aggressions and her incitements of the savages, had she 
li\- proper conduct toward these savages given moral support to the 
I'nited States in their efforts to cultivate and maintain among them a 
desire for peace and progress toward civilization, their condition would 
have greatly improved and the United States would have been saved 
many lives and much expense. But the end was not yet come. 
Eighteen more years the British persisted in their infamous conduct 
•V toward the United States and with the savages for mastery over this 

Basin. The policy of the British was then, as ever, to acquire territory 
and never to relinquish any that was possible to hold. The treat}' 
necessary to close the Revolutionary War did not extinguish their 
desire and expectation of re-possessing the American Colonies, or the 
territory west of the Allegheny Mountains at least. This is shown by 
their continual refusal to surrender their fortifications on the American 
border: l)v their building the strong Fort Miami by the Maumee River, 
a great advance into United States territory; and by their continued 
efforts to federate and control all the Aborigine tribes in this Basin, 
also those to the westward and southward of it. Some of Great Brit- 
ain's apologists have attempted to attach the blame for these undue 
and persistent aggressions and misdemeanors on the British subordi- 
nate officials. This would im])ly a laxity of supervision on the part of 
their superiors that no well-informed person will admit. The British 
Home Office in London, England, kept well informed regarding the 
methods and details of their subordinates as well as of the results of 
them; in fact the Home Office dictated all. Many occurrences in the 
conduct of affairs here that were reported were not kept of record: but 
enough was entered upon record to convict all parties, as shown on 
previous and succeeding pages hereto. Communications with London 
by trained messengers were also frequent. The most alert and aggres- 
sive subordinates were sought for the frontiers: and if the voice of one 
was raised for a less aggressive or less cruel policy it was soon hushed, 
generally by his removal. 

During the summer of ITlKi there was great scarcity of provisions 
at Detroit for the three hundred American soldiers as well as for the 
large number of Aborigines who continued to gather there. Samuel 
Henley Acting (Juartermaster went to Greenville to hasten forward 
supplies bv way of the Ohio River. He wrote 13th August to General 
Williams Quartermaster General at Detroit that . . 'the Commis- 
sary General gave thirt\- dollars for the transjiortation of one barrel of 



CHARACTER OF GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE. 241 

(lour from I'ort WashiiiKlon to P'ort Wayne.* . . I am well con- 
vincfd tliat our puMic wajionmastfrs arc a poor set of (irunkc-n 
mrn.' . 

Uf.ath of Gf.nfrai, Wayne Waynf Cocn'ty I\TRir;uF.s. 

General Wayne, on liis rt'turn from Philacielphia, arrived at 
Detroit null Aujiust, 179(5, probably by tlu- sloop Detroit from Presque 
Isle the present Erie, Pennsylvania. He was received by demonstra- 
tions of great joy by all persons, including the twelve hundred Abo- 
rigines there assembled. He remained at Detroit until thi- 17th No- 
vember, when he again started for Philadel|)hia on a small sloop. 
On this voyage over Lake Erie his system was much irritated and 
fatigued by the tossings of the storms, and the disease from which he 
had for some time suffered (recorded as the gout) made great progress. 
It could not be allayed after his arrival at Fort Presque Isle, and he 
there diid liith December, 179(1, aged fifty-one years, eleven months 
and fourteen days.t * 

General Wayne served his country well, and with much patriotic 
fervor. He was a typical .American commandiT. He was a thorough 
disciplinarian, brave, impetuous and irresistilili in battle, and success- 
ful in inspiring his soldiers with these retiuisites. He was also 
thoughtful and conservative in ])lanning and equally successful in 
strategy and assault, as shown on different fields. North and South, 
during the Revolutionary War. These characteristics were very pro- 
nounced during his campaign through the Maumee River Basin: and 
the success and value of this campaign were equalled only b\' the suc- 
cess and value of his diplomacy in drawing the savages to Greenville \/ 
the next year, away from their British keepers and to the most import- 
ant of treaties. These last, and greatest, acts of his life should iver 
be respected as invaluable to our country, as they settled favorably for 
the Union its first gri'at crisis. 

General James Wilkinson continued to act as General-in-chief of 
the I'nited States Army after the death ot General Wayne. 

The l.'nh .August Winthrop Sargent, Secretary of the Northwestern 
Territory, proclaimed at Detroit the organization of Wayne County 
which included nearly all of the Maumee River Basin and eastward to 
the Cuyahoga River, and all of the Territory north of a line extending 
from Fort Wayne to the south i)art of Lake Michigan. Thus this 



*The form of money most in use at this time was 'York Currency' issued by the Provincial Con- 
gress of New York. A few Spanish silver dollars were in circulation. They were then the most valuable 
of all money seen and were rated at ten shillings each. 

t In 1809 his son Colonel Isaac Wayne, removed his remains from Pres'iue Isle iErie. Pennsyl- 
vania) to his early home at Radnor, where the Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania erected a 
moderate marble monument to mark his crave. 



242 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



WAYNE COUNTY 

BY PROCLAMATION 
0wstl5.l7d6 




T lAURENS 



Basin was brought under the jurisdiction of the United States for the 
first time, it having before been, excepting the sites of the American 
Forts, under the nominal jurisdiction of County Kent organized in Can- 
ada in 1792; but during this time, as previously, it was practically 
subject to the Commandant of the garrison at Detroit. 

With the occupation of Detroit by the Americans, there 
followed the necessity for regular and prompt communication with 

Fort Washington at Cincinnati. 
Horses were ke])t at the sev- 
eral stations of Greenville, St. 
Marys, Defiance, and Miami at 
the foot of the lowest Maumee 
Rapids, for this purpose. J. 
Wilkins, Junior, Quartermaster 
General at Detroit, wrote to 
Major John Wilson, Assistant 
Quartermaster at Fort Miami, 
under date of 16th September, 
1796, that "I send over by 
Ogden two horses which are to 
remain at Fort Miami to serve 
as a relief for expresses; when 
expresses are coming to this 
place [Detroit] they are to leave 
the horses they bring with you 
and come on with fresh horses. You will take the greatest care of the 
horses and have them well fed and attended to." 

Near the close of the year 1796 the number of white people within 
the present limits of Ohio was recorded as about five thousand, mostly 
located along the Ohio River and along its tributaries within fifty miles 
of the Ohio. With the prospects of peace and of the land being sur- 
veyed and opened to settlers, the population increased rapidly. 

After the organization of Wayne County, and until the formation 
of the Ohio State Government in 1803, lawyers of Cincinnati attended 
the General Court at Detroit. Five or six of them usually traveled in 
company on horseback and took along a packhorse to carry supplies 
additional to the personal effects in the saddle-bags of each individual. 
Aborigine camps were passed through but it was not safe to rely on 
them for assistance, and supplies along the route through the forest 
were uncertain, even of corn to feed their horses. There were no 
bridges, and each horse was a tried swimmer for crossing the deepest 
of streams. They were generally from six to eight days in the wilder- 
ness, and sometimes ten days. On one of these journeys the party 



CINCINNATI LAWYERS SEE SHAWNEE BALL GAME. 245 

arrived at the Ottawa town on the Au^laise Rivt- r about the middle of the 
day, and accepted an invitation to remain there until the next morning. 
Jacob Huiiiit, afterwards judfje, was often a memlier of the party and 
he wrote tlu' following description of one of their entertainments.* 

Blue Jacket the Shawnee chief who commanried in the battle of the 20th August, 
17!>l [Battle of Fallen Timber] resided at that village, but was then absent. The party, 
however, were received very kindly by the venerable Delaware chief Bu-kon-ge-he-las. 
whose name has been given to a fine mill-stream in Logan County. He was one of the 
chiefs who negotiated the treaty at the mouth of the Big Miami [Fort Kinney] with Gen- 
eral George K. ("lark in ITHIi, in which his name is written Bo-honghe-lass. 

In the course of the afternoon he got up a game of foot-ball, for the amusement of 
his guests, in the true aborigine style. He selected two young men to get a purse of 
trinkets made up. to be the reward of the successful party. That matter was soon ac- 
complished and the whole village, male and female in their best attire, were on the lawn 
which was a beautiful plain of four or five acres, in the center of the village, thickly set 
in blue grass. At each of the opposite extremes of this lawn two stakes were set up about 
six feet apart. The men played against the women, and to countervail the superiority of 
their strength it was a rule of the game that they were not to touch the ball with their 
hands on the penalty of forfeiting the purse ; while the females had the privilege of using 
their hands as well as their feet, being allowed to pick up the ball and run and throw it 
as far as their strength and activity would permit. When a squaw succeeded in getting 
the ball the men were allowed to seize, whirl her around and, if necessary, throw her on 
the grass for the purpose of disengaging the ball, taking care not to touch it except with 
the feet. The contending parties arranged themselves in the center of the lawn, the men 
on one side and the women on the other, each party facing the goal of their opponents. 
The side which succeeded in driving the ball through the stakes at the goal of their ad- 
versaries, was proclaimed victors and received the purse to be divided among them. .\11 
things being ready, the old chief came on the lawn and, siiying something in the .\bori- 
gine language not understood by his guests, threw up the ball between the lines of the 
combatants and retired. The contest began. The parties were pretty fairly matched as 
to numbers, having about a hundred on a side, and for a long time the game appeared 
to be doubtful. The young squaws were the most active of the party and most frequently 
caught the ball, at which time it was amusing to see the struggle between them and the 
young men which generally terminated in the prostration of the squaw upon the grass be- 
fore the ball could be forced from her hands. The contest continued about an hour with 
great animation and varying prospects of success. It was finally decided in favor of the 
fair sex by the herculean strength of a mammoth squaw who got the ball and held it, in 
spite of the eflorts of the men to shake it from the grasp of her uplifted hand, till she ap- 
proached the goal near enough to throw it through the stakes. When the contending par- 
ties had retired from the strife it was pleasant to see the exultation expres.sed in the faces 
of the victors whose joy was manifestly increased by the circumstance that victory was 
won in the presence of white men whom they supposed to be highly distinguished and 
honored in their nation, a conclusion very natural for them to draw as they knew the 
business on which their guests were journeying to Detroit. The party spent the night 
very pleasantly in the village, and in the morning resumed their journey. 



* Burnet's Notes pages 68 lo 71. Henry Howe in his Historical Collections of Ohio places this 
' Ottawa town ' at the present Wapakorieta. There were many ' Ottawa ' towns alone these rivers and 
this particular one on the .^ugiaise River in the opinion of the writer was about the central part of the 
present Allen County. Ohio, or about the site where Fort Amanda was built in 1812 in Auglaise County 
near the line of Allen, and site of General Wayne's fort at the ' Head of the .Auplaise," 



244 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

On the outward journey they [the lawyers] took the route by Dayton, Piqua, Loramie. 
St. Marys, and the Ottawa town on the Auglaise, and thence down this river to Defiance; 
thence down the Maumee to the foot of the rapids, and thence to and across the River 
Raisin to Detroit. On their return they crossed the Maumee at Roche de Bceuf [properly 
Roche de Bout] by the advice of Black Beard, a personal friend of Judge Symmes, who 
lived in that neighborhood and with whom the party breakfasted. As a matter of pre- 
caution they hired his son to accompany them in the capacity of guide. He led them 
through a succession of wet prairies over some of which it was impossible to ride, 
and it was with great difficulty they were able to lead or drive their horses through the 
deep mud, which surrounded them on all sides. After two days and a half of incessant 
toil and difficulty they arrived at the same village in which they had been so kindly treat- 
ed, and so much amused, on their outward journey. To their great mortification and 
disappointment they were informed that Blue Jacket had returned from Cincinnati a day 
or two before with a large quantity of whiskey, and that his people were in a high frolic. This 
information was soon confirmed by the discovery that the people of the whole village, 
male and female were drunk. The party, however, were received with great kindness, 
but it was in a style they were not disposed to permit. An old withered looking squaw, 
very drunk, was extremely officious. Knowing that Mr. St. Clair, one of the party, was 
the Attorney General of the Territory and son of the Governor, her attentions were prin- 
cipally conferred upon him. She kissed him and exclaimed 'you big man — Governor's 
son'. Then turning to the rest of the party, said with marked contempt 'you be milish'* 
and then kissed Mr, St. Clair again. It was certainly one of those rare occasions on 
which men of sensibility and delicacy feel the advantage of being placed at a low grade 
on the scale of dignity. It was manifestly impossible to remain in the village, and the 
only alternative was to proceed on their journey. It was then late in the afternoon. 
They were much fatigued, and had a wet swampy path of twelve miles to pass over to 
the River St. Mary, through a valley swarming with gnats and mosquitoes. It was a 
choice of evils; but, as there was no time to hesitate, they saddled their horses and 
started. Night overtook them in the middle of the swamp. There being no moon, and 
the forest being very dense, it was found impossible to keep the path, much less to see 
and avoid the quagmires on every side. They had no alternative, and halted till morning. 
To lie down was impossible from the nature of the ground; and to sleep was still more 
difficult as they were surrounded with gnats and mosquitoes. After remaining in that 
uncomfortable condition five or six hours, expecting every moment their horses to break 
away, daylight made its appearance for their relief. About sunrise they arrived at the 
old Fort Adams on the St, Mary. This fort was then occupied by Charles Murray and 
his squaw who got them a breakfast, after which they proceeded to Cincinnati. Jour- 
neys of a similar character were of frequent occurrence during the continuance of the 
Territorial government, and for some years after. 

The Jay Treaty with Great Britain was considered by France as an 
alteration and suspension of her treaty of 1778 with the United States; 
and on the 19th August, 1796, a treaty of alliance, offensive and defen- 
sive, was concluded between France and Spain, and this at once led to 
some overt acts bv France against the United States on the high seas, 
and to agents of Spain and France again becoming active to alienate 
this Northwestern Territory from the East. The idea of a Western 
Confederacy was again advocated by a few persons in Kentucky. A 



- This expression Drobably voiced the opinion of the Aborigines at this time of the tnilitiamen, in 
contradistinction to soldiers of the regular army. 



INTRIGUES OF FRANCE AND SPAIN. 245 

S]ieci;il emissary from Baron de Carondolet the Spanish Governor 
General of Louisiana was a^ain sent in the i)erson of Thomas Power, 
a versatile Irishman possessing a i)ractical knowledge of the English, 
French and Spanish languages who had previously been in Kentucky 
and in the Ohio settlements to advance the interests of Spain in the 
Mississippi Basin. In J urn-, IT'.tT, he again i)ri)ceeded to Kintuck\ and 
addressed influtntial personages on subjects that were 'in the ]iresent 
uncertain and critical attitude of jiolitics, highl\- imi)rudent and danger- 
ous to la\ ill-tore Ihem on paper' but which were, in effect, that if they 
would ' ininu diately exert all their inriu<.'nce in imi)rtssing on the minds 
of the inhabitants of the western country a conviction of tlu' necessity 
of their withdrawing and sejiarating themselves trom the I'ederal 
I'nion, and torming an independent government whollv unconnected 
with that of the Atlantic States' they would be wcdl rewarded. 

II a hundred thousand dollars distributed m Kentucky would cause it 
to rise in insurrection, 1 am very certain that the minister, in the pres- 
ent circumstances, would sacrifice them with jileasure: and you may, 
without exposing yourself too much, jiromise them to those who enjoy 
the conhdence of the people, with another ecpial sum, in case of 
necessity: and twenty pieces of field artillery.'*. 

Miantime the Spanish forts along the Mississippi River were not 
surrendered to the United States according to the Treaty of IT'J;"), and 
it was reported to the Secretarv of State by Winthrop Sargent Secre- 
tary of the Northwest Territor\-, Hrd June, 1797, that General Howard 
an Irishman commissioned by Spain as Commander-in-chief had 
arrived at St. Louis with upwards of three hundred men and had l)egun 
the erection ot a lormidable fort; that a large jiarty of Aborigines 
(Delawares) passed down the White River, a tributary of the Wabash, 
the first week in May bearing a Spanish flag on their way to reinforce 
the Spaniard,s. I-"urther, that the Siianiards had on the Mississippi 
above the mouth of the Ohio several galley row boats with cannon. 

Thomas Power also traversed the Maumee Valley in .August on 
his way to Detroit to meet General Wilkinson and other influential 
men. He was accompanied, or soon followed, by the Agents of 
France, Victor de CoUot and M. Warin, who sketched maps of the 
rivers and country. In a letter from Detroit to Captain Robert Buntin 
at Vincennes under date 4th September, 1797, General Wilkinson 
mentions receiving a letter from Carondelet stating "a varietx- of frivo- 
lous reasons for not delivering the posts, and begs that no more [Amer- 
ican] troo])s be sent down the Mississippi. I have put aside all his 
exceptions, and have called on him in the most solemn manner to fulfill 



* American State Papers, Miscellaneous volume ii, page 103. 



246 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

the treaty. . . Althoui,'h Mr. Power has brought me this letter it is 
possible it might be a mask toother purposes; I have therefore, for 
his accommodation and safety, put him in care of Captain Shaumburgh 
who will see him safe to New Madrid by the most direct route. I pray 
you to continue your vigilance, and give me all tlie information in your 
power." . 

France refused to receive the American Minister and permitted 
manv unwise acts of her citizens while instigating others. Congress, 
also, adopted measures of defense and retaliation, authorizing the form- 
ation of a provisional army, about twelve regiments of which were to 
gather at Fort Washington where boats were to be built to transport 
them down the Mississippi: commercial intercourse with France was 
suspended : an act was passed for the punishment of alien and secret 
enemies of the United States; and for the punishment of treason and 
sedition. 

The Spaniards of the Mississippi fearing an invasion by the 
British, President John Adams ordered General Wilkinson 4th Febru- 
ary, 1798, to oppose all who should presume to attempt a violation of 
the laws of the territory of the United States by an expedition through 
it against their enemies. This implies that the British had designs on 
the Spanish Colony by way of the Maumee or Illinois. The Territory 
of Mississippi was formed by Congress 7th April, 1798, and Winthrop 
Sargent was nominated and approved as its Governor. The vacancy 
thus made of Secretary of the Northwestern Territory-, was filled 26th 
June by the appointment of William H. Harrison. 

Ex-President George Washington was chosen 2nd July, 1798, 
Lieutenant General and Commander-in-Chief of the armies raised or to 
be raised for the service of the United States. There was little to be 
done, however, that he could not readily delegate to his subordinates. 
During the summer of 1798 the Spanish vacated their forts in American 
territory, and the 5th October General Wilkinson took up headquarters 
at Loftus Heights, where Fort Adams was soon built, on the eastern 
bank of the Mississippi about six miles north of the 31st degree of 
north latitude the then dividing line between the United States and 
Spanish territory. 

The first Wayne County was divided into four townships according 
to the law of 6th November, 1790. The 1st November, 1798, these 
townships bore the names Detroit, Mackinaw, Sargent and Hamtramck, 
the last named including, probably, nearly all of this Basin. The first 
election in which Wayne County participated was held at Detroit, and 
one or two other places, the third Monday of December, 1798, accord- 
ing to proclamation of Governor St. Clair the 29th October; but owing 
to some irregularity another election was held the 14th January, 1799, 



FIRST NEWSPAPERS. LEGISLATURE. CONGRESSMAN. 247 

which rcsulttd in thr fK^ction of Solomon Sihlfv, Charles F. Chobert 
df joncairc (Jonciiiien.?) and Jacob Visger, all of Detroit and its 
vi(init\', as Kepresentativis to the Lej^islaturt-. 

'ri;RkII(lUI Al. i^EGISLATURE INDIANA TkKKHOKV OtHKK 

Organizations. 

The Legislature convened at Cincinnati the 22nd January, 1799, 
and later selected ten citizens whose names were.- sent to the President 
of the United States according to thi- Ordinance ol 1 7H7, from whom 
he was to nominate a Legislative Council or Senate tor the Territory. 
Tile meeting was then prorogued by Governor St. Clair to meet the 
Kith September. 

Thi' first newspaper in this Northwestern Territory was started 9th 
November, 1793, by William Maxwell later postmaster at Cincinnati. 
It was a half sheet, size U) x K! inclu's and headed Centinel of the 
Northwestern Territory. The second newspai)fr was the Western Spy 
started at Cincinnati 2Hth May, 1799. 

A i|Uorum of the General Assembly was not present at the 
adjourned meeting until 24th September when the nineteen Represen- 
tatives reported as follows: two from .\dams County, seven from 
Hamilton, one from Jefferson, one from Knox, four from Ross, one 
from Washington, and three from this Wayne County. These, with 
the five yiersons selected by President Adams from the names that had 
been sent to him (Jacob Burnet, James Findlay, Henry Vanderburg, 
Robert Oliver, and David Vance) as Legislative Council or Senate, 
completed the first Territorial Legislature. 

William H. Harrison was chosen, the 3rd October, 1799, by this 
Legislature as the first Delegate or Representative to Congress from 
the Territory Northwest of the Ohio River. He at once resigned his 
office as Secretarv of the Territory, proceeded to Philadelphia and took 
his seat in Congress which was there in session. Here, as elsewhere 
he did good work for his constituents. The office of Secretary of the 
Territory becoming thus vacant. President Adams nominated Charles 
Willing Byrd for the place 30th December, and the United States 
Senate confirmed the choice the next day. 

The difficulties attending the organization and maintenance of 
government for a vast extent of country remote from officers and the 
seat of government, had long been felt, and at length became the sub- 
ject of Congressional inquiry. A committee of Congress reported the 
3rd March, 1800, that 'in the three western counties of the Northwest 
Territory there had been but one court having cognizance of crimes 
in five years; and the immunity which offenders experience, attracts as 
to an asylum the most vile and abandoned criminals, and at the same 



248 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 




time deters useful and virtuous persons from making settlements in 
such society.' . 

In consonance with the recommendations of this committee, Con- 
gress provided, the 7th May, that from and after the 4th of July, 1800, 

all that part of the Territory of 
the Ignited States Northwest of 
the Ohio River which lies to the 
westward of a line beginning at 
the Ohio opposite to the mouth 
of Kentucky River, and running 
thence to Fort Recovery, and 
thence north until it shall inter- 
sect the Territorial line between 
the United States and Canada, 
shall, for the purpose of tem- 
)>orarv government, constitute 
a separate territory, and he 
called the Indiana Territory. 
All east of this line was called 
Ohio Territory: and thus Wayne 
County was reduced about one- 
hali in size. The Ordinance of 
1787 was to appl\' for the government of Ohio and Indiana Territories 
as heretofore, and William H. Harrison was appointed Governor of 
Indiana Territory. Arthur St. Clair was reappointed Governor with 
jurisdiction over Ohio Territory, notwithstanding his increasing dis- 
favor with the people. Chillicothe was occupied as the capitol of Ohio 
Territory in the year 1800. 

Four land ofSces were established in Ohio Territory the 10th May, 
1800: at Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Marietta and Steubenville. The 
desirability of the United States Patent for settlers' lands, and more 
compactness of jurisdiction, became more apparent to settlers in Con- 
necticut's Western Reserve. Early in the year 1800 the seekers of 
homes therein numbered about one thousand, mostly located near Lake 
Erie. The 30th May the Connecticut Assembly transferred all her 
rights of jurisdiction to the United States, which action placed all of 
Ohio Territory upon a uniform land basis. This further conduced to 
the increase in this Reserve of settlements, which extended westward 
and occupied the eastern part of the lands of the Aborigines, they 
receiving pay therefor from the Connecticut Land Company. Later in 
this year, 1800, Trumbull County was organized, its limits extending 
westward to the middle of Sandusky Bay or about five miles west of 
the present City of Sandusky, and including all of the Western Reserve, 



ADDED BRITISH INSULT. THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE. 249 



WAYNE COUNTY 

Ajfer procldWdfioM oj 
Jul>^ 10- I Boo 




which further curtailed Wayne County east from this line to the Cuya- 
hoga River. The second protestant missionary in northern Ohio was sent 
to this Reserve till- latti r part ot IMOO hy tile Connecticut Missionary 
Socii'tv. lie liiund no townshii) coiitaininff more than eleviii families. 

The Second United States Cen- 
sus, lor tile year 1M()(), showed 
tile population of Ohio Territory 
to be 4ri,;-it)r), includin^j, as it 
did, wiiat is now eastern Michi- 
gan. 

Tile Hritisli, alter their re- 
mo\'al to the Canadian lianl< ol 
Detroit River in 1791), continu- 
1 d to isinore the line of United 
States 'I'erritorv, oiliciallv cross- 
ing;; it at their pleasure. As late 
as the 20th Octoiier, 1H()(), one 
ol tiieir officers went to Detroit, 
liroke into a i)rivate house and 
arrested Francis Poquette, usin>{ 
such \iolence that the victim 
soon died ol the injuries he re- 
ceived. They also endeavored to retain their former influence over 
the Aborigines. The rising power of the United States, was apparent, 
however, in the development of the West. The courage and prompt- 
ness of the Government in meeting the many intrigues and aggressions 
of the .Miorigines, the French, Spanish, and of the unduly ambitious 
.\mericans, had allayed visionary and chimerical schemes, and given 
impetus and more stability to the Western settlements. The threat- 
ened war with France was happily allayed and, the 30th September, a 
treaty with that power was consummated. The ambitions of Spain, 
through a number of years to possess this region, were also defeated, 
and the 1st October she secretly ceded Louisiana back to France after 
an ownership of thirty-eight years. 

Nor did Napoleon's first idea of a new France prevail, but rather 
that wise decision of President Jefferson and Congress for the purchase 
by the United States 30th April, 1803, of that vast domain, styled the 
Louisiana Purchase. Thus was removed by one master act all object- 
ions to Americans navigating the Mississippi and trading throughout 
its course. This purchase also quieted the agitations, both foreign and 
domestic, for a Western Republic. 

The first post road between Cincinnati and Detroit was established 
8rd March, IHOl. There being no postoffices, however, on the northern- 



250 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



end of ttu- route for about two years after this date, tlie mail was carried 
as a military or semi-military express as formerly. There was this 
year also an increase of carrying facilities on Lake Erie, and on the 
Ohio River. The first ship to pass down the rivers, across the Gulf to 
Havana, and up the Atlantic coast to Philadel])hia, was launched this 
year at Marietta. In 1801 the first capitol building" for Ohio was built 
at Chillicothe where Congress had designated the seat of government, 
and in November the first session of the Second General Assembly met 
then-. W'avnc County was reiiresented h\' ]><'rsnns from Detroit as 




follows: Solomon Sibley, as member of the Council or Senate in 
place of Judge Vanderburg who resided in the new Territory of Indiana; 
George M'Dougall, Charles F. Chobert Joncaire, and Jonathan Schief- 
fJin. The two last named aided the notorious Governor Hamilton in 
his cruel warfare against Americans during the Revolutionary War, 
and after the surrender of Detroit to the Americans in 1796 the last 
named yet declared himself a British subject with determination to 
remain such. The United States has had many similar examples, in 
which the ignoring by the public of a forceful man's ill-advised state- 



MILITARY POSTS. OHIO STATE ORGANIZED. 251 

ments and actions has ),'iv(.-n him oiiportunitx in which he lias reformod 
his oi)iiiion and toniiK-rcd his alti i lilc to liint-ficcnt stTvice. This 
Lefjislaturc continui-d in sission until "Jllrd lanuary, 1802, when Gov- 
ernor St. Chiir, who as a I'Vdtialist liad l>t-conie very officious and exact- 
ing against the organization ol Oliio to the disjileasure oi the jieople 
generally, adjourned the session to nieit in Cincinnati tlu- following 
November. This act greatly offended iiian\' peoi)le of Chillicothe, 
some (il wluim started to mob the Governor. I'"ortunate!y Jonathan 
Schiefflin ol Detroit was present with a pair ot pistols which, iieing 
exhil)ited in a firm manner, caused the mob to disperse without the 
necessity for their further use. 

In the 'Estimate of all Posts and Stations where [military] Garri- 
sons will be expedient, and of the Number of Men requisite' made 
December)), IHOI, but three Posts wire mentioned for the Territory 
Northwest of the Ohio River, viz: Michilimackinac one comjiany of 
artillery and one of infantry: Detroit one company of artillery and four 
of infantry: Fort Wayne one companyof infantr\. In Act of Congress 
March, 1802, for Reduction of the .\rmy, Fort Wayne was styled a 
frontier post with garrison of si.\ty-four men.' In the year 1803 Fort 
Wayne had garrison of fifty-one men, viz: one CajHain, one Surgeon's 
Mate, one first and one second Lieutenant, one Einsign, four Sergeants, 
four Corporals, three Musicians, and thirt\-tive Privates.* 

State of Ohio — Treaties — Michigan and Illinois TEkKiroRiES. 
The 4th March, 1802, with the presumption that Ohio Territory 
contained a population of at least sixtx' thousand people, and a Con- 
gressional Committee on this Territory reporting favorably. Congress 
voted the 80th .April to call a Convention of representatives of the Ter- 
ritory to meet the 1st November, 1802, to frame a Constitution for the 
proposed State of Ohio. This Convention, by a majority of five, per- 
mitted the request of Governor St. Clair to deliver an address 'on 
those jioints which he deems of importance.' In his speech the 
Governor advised the ijostponement of a State organization until the 
people of the original (eastern) division were plainly entitled to 
demand it, and wire not subject to be bound by ronditions. I'nwise 
criticism, made at this time in addition to previous unwise acts, caused 
President Thomas Jefferson to at once remove St. Clair from the 
governorship. Whin the vote was taken upon the question of doing 
that w-hich St. Clair advised them not to do, but one of the thirty-three 
members of the Convention, Ephraim Cutler of Washington County, 
voted with the Governor. t 



* American State Papers. Military Atlairs volume i, pages lofi. 175. 786. 
t See Jacob Burnei s Letters, pages lon. 110 and 111. 



252 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The Constitution was agreed upon and signed with commendable 
promptness, being completed the 29th November, 1H02 : and the 19th 
February, 1803, Ohio was admitted to the Union as a State, the fourth 
under the general Constitution and the seventeenth in general number. 
The first Legislature met at Chillicothe the first Tuesday of March, 
1803, thus comjjleting the State organization. The white residents of 
Wayne County were mostly settled at Detroit: but some were settled 
by the water courses to, and including, the Maumee. They were 
counted to make the requisite number for the Statehood of Ohio ; but 
this Wayne County was given neither representation in the Convention 
nor vote on the Constitution. In fact northwestern Ohio over the 
whole extent of this Basin had no representation in the government 
until after the organization of counties in April, 1820. Naturally the 
Ohio part of this Basin reverted to Hamilton County for its civil gov- 
ernment after the organization of Ohio as a State: and at the organi- 
zation 1st May, 1803, of Montgomery and Greene Counties they could 
be supposed to extend north to the State line. They exercised but 
little if any jurisdiction, however, in this region which, with other parts 
of the Basin, remained the territory of the Aborigines until the treaties 
of 1817, and were directly subject to the United States authorities at 
Fort Wayne and Detroit. Wayne County in Ohio was not again 
mentioned until 13th February, 1808, when by Legislative Act the 
present County was organized with boundaries somewhat as now 
existing", widely separated from the original Wayne County which has 
been taken from until it is of ordinary county size, with Detroit yet its 
seat of government. 

After the Treaty at Greenville in 1795, the Aborigines remained for 
a short time reasonably contented with the United States Annuity, and 
with what they received for the jieltries obtained by hunting and trap- 
ping. They also received man\- gratuities from the white settlers 
among whom they wandered and entered dwellings at will, and by 
whom they were generally treated with kindl\- consideration notwith- 
standing their want of regard for individual rights in property desired 
bv them. It became more and more apparent, however,<that British 
influence was yet being exerted among them and causing discontent to 
be fostered among the several tribes. 

Governor Harrison, who was also Superintendent of the Affairs of 
the Aborigines for Indiana Territory, completed at Fort Wayne 7th 
June, 1803, the treaty that was begun 17th September, 1802, at Vin- 
cennes, in which the Eel River, Kaskaskia, Kickapoo, Miami, Pianke- 
shaw, Pottawotami and Wea tribes formally deeded to the United 
States the lands about Vincennes which had previously been bought of 
the other Aborigine tribes: and this act was further confirmed at 



PURCHASES FROM ABORIGINES. MICHIGAN ORGANIZED. 253 

Vinccnncs tin Tlli August l)v vit otiur Aborigino chiefs. The \Hth 
August thi lllinuis tribes deecKd to llic United States a large portion 
ol tile countrx south and east ol the Illinois River. The 18th August, 
1H()4, Governor Harrison purchased for the United States the claims ol 
the Delawares to the laiul between the Wabash and Ohio Ki\ers. lb- 
also purchased ol the I'iankeshavvs their claims to lands deeded to the 
United States by tlu- Kaskaskias in IHOIJ; also by treaty and ]:>urchase, 
the claims of the several tribes were extinguished to large areas of 
lands further west. 

.\ treaty was also hild at P'ort Industrv on the 4th |ulv, 1H05.* 
.•\t this time and place the chiits and warriors of the Wyandot, 
(3ttawa, Chippewa, Munsee, Delaware, Shawnee, and Pottawotami 
tribes, and those of the Shawnees and Senecas who lived with the 
Wyandots, ceded to the United States all of their claims to thi' West- 
ern Reserve of Connecticut, for and in consideration of an annuitv of 
one thousand dollars in addition to sixteen thousand dollars jiaid to 
them bv the Connecticut Land Comjiany and the Projirietors ol the 
one half million acres of Sufferers' Lands ( P'irelands, lands granted to 
those persons who suffered by fire in Connecticut by acts of the British 
during the Revolutionary War). I'utther, a treatv with and an 
annuity to the dissatisfied Pottawotami, Miami, lul River and Wea 
.\borigines near Vincennes, the 'Jlst .\ugust, 1^0,"), induced them to 
relinquish their claims to the southeastern part of Indiana which was 
also bought of the Delawares by the United States on the IHth of 
.Vugust, L'^()4. These several treaties and purchases, of lH();^-tl4-0o, 
including yet another with the Piankeshaws on the 30th December, 
IHO"), extinguished several times over all alleged right ni claim to these 
lands by the .Aborigines. 

Michigan was organized into a separate Territory by Congress the 
11th January, 1805. The southern limit was to be a line running due 
east from the most southern shore of Lake Michigan, as it was then 
understood: and the new government was logo into effect the 80th 
June. General William Hull was appointed Governor. 



* American State Papers. Aborieine Affairs volume i. paee 696. Tlie writer has been unable to 
find any further authentic mention of Fort Industry by several applications by letters and in i>erson to 
the Secretaries of State and War at Washinnton. and by personal search there and in the fnited States 
Library. A writer some years ano ascribed its buildinc to General Wayne immediately after the Battle 
of Fallen Timber (Knapp's History of the Maumee Valley! and others have copied his assertion. 
Henry Howe wrote in his Historical Collections of Ohio that the time of its building was about the year 
IHOO. The writer has shown by official reports, of all existing forts on previous paces of this book that 
Fort Industry was not built before the winter or spring of IW5; that it was probably but a stockade 
I'probably an old one repaired! for the accommodation of the troops present at the treaty and called a 
fort for the effect of the name on the Aborigines; and that it was abandoned soon after the treaty. 
Tradition alone gives its situation on the left (north! bank of Swan Creek at its entrance into the 
Maumee River, about the crossing of Summit and Monroe Streets in the present Citv of Toledo. Ohio. 
See the writer's article in the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly, vol. \ii p. 123. 



2 54 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Aaron Burr journeyed, and rejourneyed, through the west and 
southwest during the years 1805 and 1806, and rumors became rife of 
his preparations to invade and conquer Mexico, and to create a West- 
ern Republic of which the country west of the Alleghen\- Mountains 
was to form a part. The Legislature of Ohio ordered, the first part of 
December, 1806, the seizure of fourteen boats and supplies at Marietta, 
which were about ready to start down the rivers in aid of Burr's 
scheme. Burr was arrested 17th January, 1807, and was released on 
bail, which he forfeited. He was again arrested while endeavoring to 
escape, was subjected to trial at Richmond, and acquitted. Thus 
failed, however, the fourth and weakest effort to wrest this western 
region from the United States. During these years of scheming by 
restless, designing persons, and of apprehension by the Government, 
there was considerable strengthening of United States troojjs at Forts 
Washington, Wayne, and Detroit; and preparations were made for their 
active service. The conduct of Aaron Burr was a cause for this : and 
the increasing aggressions of the British were also an explanation. 

The 27th January, 1807, Henry Dearborn Secretary of War, sent a 
commission to \\ illiam Hull Governor of Michigan Territory and Sup- 
erintendent thereof Aborigine .-Vffairs, with instructions to hold a treatv 
council with the Aborigines. Governor Hull issued a call to the differ- 
ent tribes for a council at Detroit; but they did not attend. Two other 
calls were sent, and President Jefferson directed him to communicate 
to them the continued friendly intentions and offices of the United 
States. The sequel proved that their desires to respond to the invita- 
tions to council had been thwarted by Captain Alexander M'Kee 
British agent. Finallv, they evaded M'Kee and his aids and went to 
Detroit for council, in which they ]iroclaimed the intrigue of the British 
to again more closely ally them to their aid 'for the war likelv to ensue 
with the Ignited States.'* Between seven and eight hundred Aborigines 
had been invittd to Maiden, now Aniherstburg, where intoxicating bev- 
erages and i)romises prevailed. During October and November many 
hundreds of these Aborigines were unavoidably fed at Detroit b\' Gov- 
ernor Hull while on their way to and from Maiden, and also during 
the council, notwithstanding the direction of the Secretary of War that 
from fifty to one hundred was as great a number as ought to be allowed 
to attend. A prominent feature of this council, and one that was 
remembered and repeated by the Aborigines, was the expression of 
President Jefferson that they should remain quiet spectators, and not 
participate in any quarrels of others, particularly of the white people ; 
that the United States were strong enough to fight their own battles; 



*" Compare American State Papers, Aborigine Affairs voluiut i, pa^es 745, 74(5. 



GRANTS TO ABORIGINES. RESERVATIONS. ROADS. 255 

and that it was rvidiiict- of weakness on tht' part of any people to 
want tlir aid ol tlu- Al)oriKines. 

I'inally a treaty was effected at Detroit 17th November, 1^07, with 
thr Chii>pewa, Ottawa, Pottawotaini and Wyandot tribes in which 
thi'V deedi-d to the United States all their claims to the countrv north 
of till' middle of the Maumee River from its mouth to the mouth of the- 
Auglaise, thince extending north to the latitude of the south part of 
Lake Huron, thence east to and southward alont; tin- Canadian l>oun- 
dary. For this territory they received ten thousand dollars in 'money 
and goods' as first payment and an annuity of two thousand and four 
hundred dollars. They were given, however, the option of money, 
goods, implements of husbandry, and domestic animals, from which to 
choose. Of these sums, the Chippewas received one-third, the Ottawas 
one-tlmd, and the t'ottawotamis and Wyandots each one-sixth. This 
treatv furtlurreads that "the United States, to manifest their liberality, 
and disjiosition to encourage the said .Aborigines in agriculture, further 
stipulate to furnish tlu' said .Aborigines with two blacksmiths during 
the term of ten years - one to reside with the Chipi)ewas at Saginaw, 
and the other to reside with the Ottawas at the Maunue. Said black- 
smiths are to do such work for the said nations as shall hv most useful 
to them." .\s in former treaties, the .Aborigines were to have the 
privilege of hunting on the ceded lands as long as they remained the 
distinctive property of the United States. 

Certain tracts of this land were also reserved for the exclusive use 
of the Aborigines. These reservations within this Basin were as 
follows : Six miles square on the north bank of the Maumee above 
Roche de Bout 'to include the village where Tondagame [Tontogany] 
or the dog, now lives ' probably at the Grand Rapids. .Another reser- 
vation three miles scjuare on the Maumee "above the twelve miles 
square ceded to the United States by the Treaty at Greenville, includ- 
ing what is called Presque Isle: also, four miles scpiare on the Miami 
[Maumee] I5ay, including the villages where Meshkemau and Waugau 
now live. . . It is further understood and agreed, that whenever 
the reservations cannot conveniently be laid out in s(|uares, they shall 
be laid out in parallelograms or other figures as found most practicable 
and convenient, so as to obtain the area s]iecified in miles: and in all 
cases they are to be located in such manner and in such situations as 
not to interfere with any iinprovements of the French or other white 
people, or any former cession." 

American settlers continued to gather in Ohio, and some took resi- 
dence on the United States Reservations at the Foot of the Rapids of ,^- 
the Maumee. The necessity for roads to connect the settlements in 
Ohio with those in Michigan, becoming more apparent, Governor Hull 



256 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

was directed to secure cession of lands for such roads from the Ahorigi- 
nt-s. Accordingly' a treaty' was held at Brownstown, Michigan, 25th 
November, 1808, with the sachems, chiefs and warriors of the Chip- 
pewa, Ottawa, Pottawotami, Shawnee, and Wayndot tribes in which 
they quitclaimed a tract of land one hundred and twenty feet in width 
for a road from the foot of the lowest rapids in the Maumee River to 
the western line of the Connecticut Reserve; also all the land within 
one mile of each side of this roadway for the settlement of white 
people; "also a tract of land, for a road only, of one hundred and 
twenty feet in width to run southwardly from what is called Lower 
Sandusky [now Fremont] to the boundary line established by the 
Treaty of Greenville, with the privilege of taking, at all times, such 
timber and other materials from the adjacent lands as may be necessary 
for making and keeping in repair the said road, with the bridges that 
mav be required along the same." . . No compensation was given 
the Aborigines in money or merchandise for these roadways, as they 
were desirable and beneficial to the Aborigine nations as well as to the 
United States, reads a clause in the cession. 

Indiana Territory from its organization in 1802 had extended to 
the Mississippi River. The settlements had increased so much, how- 
ever, that the Illinois country was organized into a separate Territory 
tlie ;^rd February, 1809. 

Tecl'msf.h's Conspiracy with British Against AiMERIcans. 

For several years the Aborigines had manifested an increasing 
restlessness, which was attributed by Captain Dunham and other Amer- 
ican officers principally to the influence of foreigners who were trading 
among them.* The idea first taught to the savages by the early 
French in opjiosition to the British, then exploited by Pontiac in 1763, 
and then amiilified with greater force by the British against the Amer- 
icans from the beginning of the Revolutionary War — of a confedera- 
tion of all the tribes, and that all lands should be claimed by them col- 
lectivelv, and that no claim should be disposed of, nor any advance of 
the Americans upon the lands be permitted — was being revived and 
again urged before the Aborigines by the British and a few French. 

Tecumseh, an energetic Shawnee brave, began in 1805 therefrom 
to repeat the history of Pontiac, the Americans being the ]3eople con- 
spired against. The increasing [lurchases of claims by the United 
States, and the ra|)id increase of American settlers thereon who at 
once began to clear away the forest: the organization of Territories, 
State and Counties, with their courts and closer government, all had 



* Compare American Stats Papers, Aborigine Affairs volume i, page 798. 



CONSPIRACY OF TECUMSEH AND ELSKWATAWA. 257 



oxcittci apiirclunsion aniniij; lawless tradirs and louiiKirs in the camps 
(il till Ahiirijiincs, and had also c-xcitcd afrisli the chronically meddle- 
sonu liritish nfficirs and agents, inciting them to rLn<'Wtd intrigues. 

Ttcumsoh's roputcd brother, 
I'.lskw atavva, had rcccntlv remov- 
ed with other Sha^vnees from the 
Scioto Kivir, Ohio, to the Tippe- 
lanor, Indiana, wlu-re he soon 
gained something of a notoriety 
as a sorcerer. Hi- be^^tan to tell 
111 his dreams and visions, and to 
claim the knowledge and power of 
a )irophi_l inspired and commis- 
siiiiii (1 by the (ireat Sjiirit to li-ad 
the Aborijrines back to the con- 
dition of their ancestors before 
the comini; of the AiTU-ricans. His 
remarkable pretensions spread 
from the Shawnee town by the 
Tippecanoe River to other and 
distant tribes, being carried by 
runners including Tecumseh who 
traveled rapidly from tribe to tribe 




KLSKWATAWA 



The Sllawnee Sorcerer and Propliet. Born 
proliably about 1770. *A cunnine. unprincipled 
man. in early life remarkable for nothinc but between Lake Erie and the Mis- 
sttipiditv and intoxication.' The last years of his ... , , . , , 

life were obscured. sissippi, and from the upper lakes 

to the Gulf of Mexico. 
These actions of Tecumseh and the 'Proiihet' were understood by 
Governor Harrison as a concerted effort to marshal the .\borigines in 
the interest of their British allies again against the United States. 
Since the campaign of General Wayne a new generation of young men, 
fed from the rations supplied their parents by the United States, had 
developed into warriors anxious for excitement and read\- at short 
notice to follow anv leader whose project appeared probalile to gratify 
their savage impulses. Letters were soon received by the Secretary of 
War from the several military posts throughout the western country 
regarding the increasing hostility of the .Aborigines and their threaten- 
ings to exterminate Americans, also of their lieing aided by the British; 
but. notwithstanding accumulating proof of their designs both parties, 
Tecumseh and the 'Pro]ihet' and the British, denied any hostile inten- 
tion against the United States. Excerpts from some of thi' litters to the 
Secretary of War in proof of the contrary are here presented, viz:* 



* For much other proof, see AmQhQan State Papers volume iv, page 79^ et sequentia. 



258 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

General William Clark wrote from St. Louis April 5, 1809, that 
the Aborigine prophet's emissaries have been industriously employed 
the latter part of winter and spring privately councilling with, and 
attempting to seduce the Kickapoos, Saukeys, and other bands of 
Aborigines by the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, to war against the 
frontiers of this country. William Wells wrote from Fort Wayne Hth 
Ajiril that the Aborigines appear to be agitated respecting the conduct and 
as they say the intentions of the Shaw-nee Prophet. The Chippewas, 
Ottawas, and Pottawotamis are hurrying away from him and say that 
their reason for doing so is because he has told them to receive the 
tomahawk from him and destroy all the white people at Vincennes and 
Ohio, as low down as the mouth of the Ohio and as high up as Cincin- 
nati ; that the Great Spirit had directed that they should do so, at the 
same time threatening them with destruction if they refused to comply 
with what he proposed. General Clark wrote from St. Louis April 
30th : I have the honor to enclose you a copy of a letter which con- 
firms my suspicions of the British interference with our Aborigine 
affairs in this country. The following is an extract from the enclosed 
letter from Boilvin: ' I am at present in the fire receiving Aborigine 
news every day. A chief of the Puant nation appears to be employed 
by the British to get all the nations of Aborigines to Detroit to see 
their fathers the British, who tell them that they pity them in their 
situation with the Americans, because the Americans had taken their 
lands and their game; that they must join and send them off from their 
lands. They said they had but one father that had helped them in 
their misfortunes, and that they would assemble, defend their father, 
and keep their lands.' It appears that four English subjects have been 
at Riviere a la Roche this winter in disguise: they have been there to 
get the nations together and send them on the American front- 
iers. Governor Harrison wrote from Vincennes 3rd May, 1809, 
of his decided opinion that the Prophet will attack our settlements. 
About eight days ago he had with him three hundred and fifty warriors 
well armed with rifles; they have also bows and arrows, war clubs, and 
a kind of spear. The Factor (Agent) of the Trading Post at San- 
dusky, S. Tupper, wrote 7th June that the conduct of the British 
traders in introducing spirituous liquors among the Aborigines in this 
part of the country, and their determined hostility to the measures of 
our Government, have long been subjects of complaint; and their 
infamous stories have embarrassed our operations. Governor William 
Hull wrote from Detroit June 16th that the influence of the Prophet 
has been great, and his advice to the Aborigines injurious to them and 
to the United States. We have the fullest evidence that his object has 
been to form a combination of them in hostility to the United States, 



SEDITIOUS ACTS. TREATY AT FORT WAYNE. 259 

Thi powi-rful influence of the British has been exerted in a way alluring 
til tin- savage character. Complaints also came to the Secretary of 
War that British agents were inciting the Aborigines along the western 
shore of Lake Michigan and supjilying them with guns and ammuni- 
tion. General Harrison wrote from Vincennes ')th July that the 
Shawanese Prophet and about fortv followers arrived hereabout a week 
ago. He denies most strenuousl\ any jiarticipation in the late combi- 
nation to attack our settlements. . . 1 must confess that my sus- 
picions of his guilt have been rather strengthened than diminished at 
every interview 1 have had with him since his arrival. He acknowl- 
edged that he received an invitation to war against us from the British 
last fall, and that he was apprised of the intention of the Sacs, Foxes, 
etc., early in the si)ring, and was warmlv solicited to join in their 
league. . . The result of all my enquiries on the subject is, that the 
late combination was produced by British intrigue and influence in 
anticipation of war between them and the United States, ft was, how- 
ever, premature and ill-judged. 

Governor Harrison, in council with .\borigines at Fort Wayne 
30th September, IHOH, succeeded, however, in further purchasing their 
claims to two tracts of land in Indiana Territory west of the Greenville 
Treaty Line and adjoining former jiurchases, the stipulated price being 
permanent annuities of five hundred dollars to the Delawares, five 
hundred dollars to the Miamis, two hundred and fifty dollars to the 
Eel River Miamis, and five hundred d(jllars to the Pottawotamis. The 
Miamis, by separate article of same date, as additional compensation 
were promised to receive at Fort Wayne the next spring domestic 
animals to the amount of five hundred dollars, and the like number for 
the two following years: and that an armorer should be also main- 
tained at F"ort Wayne for the use of the Aborigines as heretofore. In 
treaty with the Kickapoos at Vincennes 9th December, 1^09, Governor 
Harrison purchased claims to land northwest of the Wabash River 
adjoining the N'incennes tract, the consideration being a permanent 
annuity of four hundred dollars, and goods to the amount of eight 
hundred dollars. Bv this last treaty the Miamis were to receive a 
further annuity of two hundred dollars, and the Eel River tribes one 
hundred dollars each. 

Tr.^uing Agencies — Continued Conspiracy of Tecumseh. 

The report to the Secretary of W^ar 31st December, 1809, of 
J. Mason Superintendent of the Trading House Establishments or 
agencies styled Factories among the Aborigines, possesses features of 
interest in this connection. There were at this date twelve establish- 
ments of this character, eight of which were in the South and South- 
west: and the net assets involved in them amounted to §235,461.64. 



260 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The Trading House in this Basin was established at Fort Wayne in 
the year 1802. Colonel John Johnston was the Factor (Agent) in 1H09 
with salary of $1000 per year and a subsistence allowance of $365. 
William Oliver his clerk received a salary of $250 a year and $150 for 
subsistence. Inventory of the assets of this Fort Wayne Trading 
House October 5th showed: Merchandise, Peltries, etc., on hand 
$5,020.75; Accounts Receivable per return of March $2,112.72: Build- 
ings estimated at about one half of cost $500. Merchandise forwarded 
bv the Government to Fort Wayne 9th June and 2i^th July not included 
in the above amounted to $4,686.87. A Trading Agency was also 
established in Detroit in 1802, hut it was discontinued in 1805. Those 
in operation nearest this Basin in 1809, were: Sandusky established in 
1806; Chicago 1805; and Michilimackinac 1808. The peltries taken in 
exchange for merchandise at these Trading Houses were: Beaver, 
first quality valued at two dollars each, and second quality one dollar; 
Dressed Deer Skins one dollar and fifty cents; Wolf Skins one dollar; 
Muskrat, Raccoon, Wildcat, and Fo.x Skins, twenty-five cents each; 
Otter two dollars and fifty cents; Bear first quality one dollar and fifty 
cents, second quality one dollar. Tallow at twelve and a half cents a 
pound, and Beeswax at twenty cents, also entered into the accounts. 

Tecumseh and the Prophet continued active. The additional 
councils and purchases of land at Fort Wayne and Vincennes were 
alleged as new incentives. General Harrison wrote to the Secretary 
of War 14th June, 1810, that I have received information from various 
sources which has produced entire conviction on my mind, that the 
Prophet is organizing a most extensive combination against the United 
States. Another letter dated the 26th June informs that Winemac 
[a friendly Aborigine] assured me that the Prophet not long since pro- 
posed to the young men to murder the principal chiefs of all the tribes; 
observing that their hands would never be untied until this was 
effected : that these were the men who had sold their lands, and who 
would prevent them from opposing the encroachments of the white 
people. An Iowa Aborigine informs me that two years ago this 
summer an agent from the British arrived at the Prophet's town and, 
in his presence delivered the message with which he was charged, the 
substance of which was to urge the Prophet to unite as many tribes as 
he could against the United States, but not to commence hostilities 
until they gave the signal.* 

The 11th July General Harrison again wrote that I have received 



* The reader will bear in mind the strained relations between the United States and Great Brit- 
ain which had existed for several years, and wtiich freituently received fresh incentives from the im- 
pressment of American seaman, the search of American ships, and unjust discriminations in trade. The 
continued arrogance of the British in Canada, and their conduct toward the Aboricines on American 
soil, show that their former ulterior designs on this western country were unabated. 



CONTINUED PLOTTING OF BRITISH WITH SAVAGES. 261 

a letter troiu Fort Wayne which contirms tlic infuriiiation oi the hostile 
desii^ns and combination of the Aborigines. The peojjle in the neigh- 
borhood where the horses were stolen are so much alarmed that they 
are collecting together for their defense. Again, July IHth: From the 
lowas I learn that tlu' Sacs and Foxes have actually received the 
tomahawk [declared for war] and are ready to strike whenever the 
Prophet gives the signal. A considerable number of Sacs went some 
time since to see the British superintendent and, on the first instant, 
fifty more passed Chicago for the same destination. A Miami chief 
who has just returned from his annual visit to Maiden, after having 
received the accustomed donation of goods was thus addressed by the 
British agent: ' My son keep your eyes fixed on me: my tomahawk is 
now up; be you ready, but do not strike until I give the signal.' 
General Clark wrote from St. Louis July 20th that a few weeks ago the 
post-rider on his way from Vincennes to this place was killed, and the 
mail lost; since that time we have had no communication with 
Vincennes. A part (j1 the Sacs and the greatest part of the Kickapoos 
who reside east of the Mississij)))! have been absent some time on a 
visit to the Aborigine Prophet. One hundred and fifty Sacs are on a 
visit to the British agent by invitation, and a smaller party on a visit 
to the island of St. Joseph in Lake Huron. On |uly 25th General 
Harrison again wrote that there can be no doubt of the designs of the 
Prophet and the British agent of Aborigine affairs [Alexander M'Kee?] 
to do us injury. This agent is a refugee from the neighborhood of 

[Pittsburg] and his implacable hatred of his native country 

prompted him to take part with the Aborigines in the battle between 
them and General Wayne's army. He has, ever since his appointment 
to the principal agency used his utmost endeavors to excite hostilities, 
and the lavish manner in which he is allowed to scatter presents 
amongst them, shews that his government participates in his enmity 
and authorizes his measures. Governor Hull wrote from Detroit July 
27th that large bodies of Aborigines from the westward and southward 
continue to visit the British' post at Amherstburg [Maiden] and are 
supplied with provisions, arms, ammunition, etc. Much more atten- 
tion is paid to them than usual. On August 7th Captain John Johns- 
ton, agent of the Fort Wayne Trading Post, wrote that since writing 
you on the 25th ultimo, about one hundred Sawkeys [Sacs] have re- 
turned from the British agent who supplied them liberally with every- 
thing they stood in want of. The party received forty-seven rifles and 
a number of fusils [flintlock muskets] with plenty of powder and lead. 
This is sending firebrands into the Mississippi country inasmuch as it 
will draw numbers of our Aborigines to the British side in the hope of 
being treated with the same liberality. On the 1st August General 



262 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Harrison reported that a number of the inhabitants of the northern 
frontier of the Jeffersonville district had been driven away by the Abo- 
rigines and much of their property destroyed. Many other letters were 
written to the Secretary of War from the widely separated posts evi- 
dencing the continued preparations of the Aborigines for war under 
the incitements of the British. But few other extracts will be here 
given: February 6, 1811, Captain John Johnston again wrote from 
Fort Wayne that has been at this place. The information de- 
rived from him is the same I have been in possession of for several 
years, to wit: the intrigues of the British agents and partisans in 
creating an influence hostile to our people and Government, within our 
territory. I do not know whether a garrison [fort] is to be erected on 
the Waliash or not: but every consideration of sound polic\- urges the 
early establishment of a post somewhere contiguous to the Prophet's 
residence. Hostilities were continued to the westward, some murders 
and captivities being reported; and some blockhouses were built along 
the frontier for the refuge and defense of the settlers. 

Governor Harrison had not remained idle. He had instituted 
preparations for defense and, also, for advance. By appointment he 
was visited by the chief leader of the hostile Aborigines, his written 
report of the same on 6th August, 1811, l)eing in part as follows: The 
Shawanee Chief Tecumseh has made a visit to this place with about 
three hundred Aborigines, though he promised to bring but a few 
attendants; his intentions hostile, though he found us prepared for him. 
Tecumseh did not set out till yesterday; he then descended the Wabash 
attended by twenty men on his way to the southward. After having 
visited the Creeks and Choctaws he is to visit the Osages, and return 
by the Missouri. The spies say his object in coming with so many 
was to demand a retrocession of the late purchase [of Aborigine claims 
to land]. At the moment he was promising to bring but a few men 
with him he was sending in every direction to collect his people. That 
he meditated a blow at this time was believed by almost all the neutral 
Aborigines.* 

It appears, wrote J. Shaw Agent at Fort Wayne the IHth August, 
that the fruit of the Shawanee Prophet and his band, is making its 
appearance in more genuine colors than heretofore. I have lately had 
opportunities of seeing many of the Aborigines of this Agency from 
different quarters, and by what I have been able to learn from them, 
particularly the Pottawotamis, I am induced to believe the news circu- 
lating in the papers respecting the depredations committed in the 



* In Drake's Life of Tecumseh there is description of a dramatic scene at this council, in which 
Tecumseh's men at a given signal sprang to arms and were instantly faced by a strong guard of Ameri- 
can troops who had been held in the background for any emergency. 



FURTHER COLLUSION OF BRITISH WITH SAVAGES. 263 

Illinois Territory by the Aborigines, is mostly correct, and is thought 
t)\ them to have proceeded from Mar Poe [or Marpack a Pottawotami 
chief] and the influence of the Shawanee I^rophet. Several of the 
tribes have sent to me for advice. Governor Harrison wrote SejJtem- 
ber 17, 1^11, honi \incennes to the Secretary of War as follows: 

states that almost every Aliorigine from the country 

above this had l)een or was then gone to Maiden on a visit to the 
l-Jritish ag<.nt. We shall jirobably gain our' destined point at the 
moment of their return. If then the British agents are really endeav- 
oring to instigate tlu' .Xborigint'S to make war upon us, we shall lu- in 
their neighborhood at the very moment when the impressions which 
have been made against us are most active in the minds of the savages. 

-^ succeeded in getting the chiefs together at P'ort Wa\ne, 

though he lound them all preparing to go to Maiden. The result of 
the council discovered that the whole tribes (including the Weas and 
Eel Rivers, for they are all Miamis) were about equally divided in 

favor of the Proi>het and the United States. reports 

that all the Aborigines of the Wabash have been or now are on a visit 
to the British agent at Maiden: he has never known more than one- 
fourth as many goods given to the Aborigines as they are now distrib- 
uting. He examined the share of one (not a chief) and found that he 
had received an elegant rifle, twenty-five pounds of powder, fifty 
pounds of lead, three blankets, three strouds of cloth, ten shirts, and 
several other articles. He says every Aborigine is furnished with a 
gun (either rifle or fusil) and an abundance of ammunition. A trader 
of this country was lately in the" King's store at Maiden, and was told 
that the quantity of goods for the Aborigine department which had been 
sent out this year, exceeded that of common years by £20,000 sterling. 
It is impossible to ascribe this profusion to any other motive than that 
of instigating the Aborigines to take up the tomahawk ; it cannot be to 
secure their trade for all the peltries collected on the waters of the 
Wabash in one year if sold on the London market would not pay the 
freight of the goods which have been given to the Aborigines.' . 
Tecumseh and the Prophet advocated discontinuance of trade with 
Americans. Action on this advice led to clandestine trading, to more 
fraudulent practices, and to some violence. But the principal result 
was observed as an additional incentive to turn the savages to the 
British w-hose lavish gifts had already operated to draw the most of 
them to Maiden. 

The report of Captain John Johnston Factor [Agent] of the United 
States Aborigine Factory [trading agency] at Fort Wayne the 30th 
September, 1811, to J. Mason Superintendent of Trade with the Abo- 
rigines, shows the Inventory of Merchandise on hand 30th December, 



264 ' THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

1807, as |!13,046.84: Accounts of AboriRints $2,459.29; Amount of 
Merchandise received from 1st January, 1808, $15,226.91; Expenses 
since 1st January, 1808, $6,048.62. To the credit side of the report 
there is the Inventory of Merchandise on hand 30th September, IHll, 
$10,281.66; Furs, Peltries, etc., principally hatters' furs of good sale 
[beaver skins] $689.62; Cash in hand $76.H7''2; Accounts against 
Aborigines $2,747.56 and Buildings $400. The two last items were 
included as loss. There had been received during these years for Furs 
and Peltries sold $27,547.07; the value of Furs and Peltries on the way 
to market $3,053.12; Goods returned to the Government $1,752.34; 
New York Auctioneer paid State Duty which was refunded $195.42; 
Salary transferred $572.30 all of which shows a profit of $10,502.77 for 
the three years and ten months. 

There were at this time ten Trading Agencies in operation with 
a total capital of $290,000. They were situate as follows: Fort 
Hawkins, Georgia; Chickasaw Bluffs, Mississippi Territory; Fort 
Stephenson, Mobile River Mississippi Territory; Fort Osage, by 
Missouri River; Fort Madison, by upper Mississippi River Louisiana 
Territory ; Natchitoches, by Red River Orleans Territory : Fort 
Wayne by the Miami of the Lakes [Maumee River] ; Chicago, San- 
dusky, and Michilimackinac. Several of these agencies were conducted 
at a loss to the Government, viz; Sandusky $3,366.50; Fort Stephen- 
son $10,352.54; Natchitoches $11,718.73 and Fort Hawkins $1,023. 
The nominal profit at the others was: Chicago $3,454.24; Michili- 
mackinac $1,945.71 ; Fort Wayne $10,502.77; Fort Osage over two 
hundred dollars less than Fort Wayne, and Fort Madison $10,026.39. 
The Agencies showing gain received more of hatters' furs, the greatly 
coveted beaver, which were constantly in greater demand than the sup- 
ply. The Agencies showing loss were at a disadvantage from carriage 
charges and the barter, which was mostly for deer skins formerly 
marketed in Europe, and latterly much injured by vermin from the 
delay in sale on account of the British obstruction. 

Meetings of citizens along the frontier were held during the sum- 
mer of 1811 and memorials stating the depredations and murders bv 
the Aborigines, accompanied by petitions for protection, were sent to 
President James Madison. Governor Harrison was given additional 
regular troops and militia and, the second week in October, 1811, they 
/ advanced up the Wabash towards the Prophet's town on the Tippe- 
canoe to stop his influence for further murderous raids. Peace mes- 
sengers were sent forward, but they were violently treated and the 
night of the 10th a sentinel of the American army was severely wounded 
by the Prophet's warriors. Governor Harrison commanded in person. 
The army advanced cautiously and, the 6th November, meeting some 



BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE. THE DOUBLE FRONTIER. 265 

of tin I'loplut's nicssfnjiirs near his town an aKri--i-nu-nl was niadr for 
a council the next nioinin^;. Hut, true to llic ticaclni ous nature ot the 
savages, tluy made a stialtliy attack in tin- dark al)out a (|uartir past 
four o'clock in the morning when, in the words <3f (iovcrnor Harrison's 
rt-port, tlicv nianifi'stcd a fcrocitx' uni Dnirnon to tlniu. lo thi-ir 
savage fury our troops, ninttccn-twintulhs of wlioin liad not l)ifori' 
been in battle, opi)osfd that cool and deliberate valor which is charac- 
teristic of the Christian soldier.' The savaties retreatid. The .Ameri- 
cans in this I5attle of Tippecanoe numbered a few over seven hundred ; 
and thi' number of savajjes was estimated as nearly the saine. The 
Anurican loss was sixt\'-two killed and one huiuln-d anil twent\-si.\ 
wounded. The loss of the savages was estimated at a greater number. 

rile condition of the frontier settlements was not much im])roved 
b\ this defeat of the Shawnee l'ro])het's army. I )ei)redati<)ns and 
murders continui'd in tlu' west, and grave apprehensions i)irvaded the 
W'liole country. . Among the petitioners to the President and Congress 
lor i)rotectioii Were some ol tin- prominent citizens of the Territory of 
Michigan living at Detroit, who gave statistics from which the follow- 
ing are extracted, viz: The population of the Territor\ on the 10th 
December, Ibll, was given as tour thousand seven hundred and sixty- 
two, about four-filths of whom were French, the remainder being 
largely Americans, with a few British and some servants of African 
blood. ■ They were distribut>-d in nine ])rincipal settlements each 
having a double frontier ' - the British on one side, the savages on 
the other. The first three of these settlements were named as 1, the 
mouth of the Mauniee River: li, the River Raisin: 8, the River Huron. 
The population of these three settlements was given as one thousand 
three hundred and forty (not including the savages) the males over 
sixteen years of age being three hundred and ninety-one. There were 
two forts, one at Detroit with a garrison of ninety-four soldiers, and 
the other at Michilimackinac with seventy-nine soldiers. Additional 
forts were i)etitioned for, with stronger garrisons, and cavalry. 

The following extracts of letters show the continued hostility of 
the savages and the influence of the British against the .\mericans : 
William Wells wrote from Fort Wayne 10th Februar\ , IHl'J, that at 
the request of Little Turtle I enclose you his speech to Governor 
Harrison of the 25th ultimo. On the 12th ult. two British emissaries 
passed through this neighborhood on their way to see the Pro])het. 
On the 21st ultimo they called at my house on their return to Maiden: 
they were two Munsey Aborigines. It appears that their business was 
to invite all the Aborigines to meet at Maiden very early in the spring. 



" African 5lavo5 were brought into thi<i B.i-iin l>v th" Aboricine*:, and taken to Detroit from early 
date. They were boueht by the army oHlcers and merchants and retained as servants for many years. 



2 66 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

What took place between them and the Prophet, I have not yet learnt. 
The Pottawotamy chief Marpack has been in the neighborhood of 
Maiden since August last: he now is near the white settlement on the 
River Raisin in Michigan Territory and visits Maiden every eight or 
ten days. He has about one hundred and twenty of the best warriors 
in this country with him, stationed in such a manner as to be unob- 
served by the white settlers; that is to say, eight or ten in one place, 
fifteen or twenty in another, and so on: but within such distance of 
each other as to enable him to collect them all in twenty-four hours. 
I know this chief is hostile-inclined towards the United States, and 
have no hesitation in saying that he is kept at that place by the British 
agents at Maiden : and in case the United States have war with that 
Power, this chief will attack our settlements immediately. I believe 
many of the warriors that fought Governor Harrison have, and are now 
about to join him.' The speech of Little Turtle referred to above 
acknowledges receipt of the letters of Governor Harrison, and states 
that their contents had been communicated to the Miami tribes, includ- 
ing those of Eel River. He stated that none of these tribes was in the 
Battle of Tippecanoe. He expressed regret that the Aborigines had 
become hostile, and promised his influence to prevent further like 
action. William Wells wrote again 1st March, from Fort Wayne as 
follows : In my letter of the 10th ultimo I informed you that the 
Aborigine chief Tecumseh had arrived on the Wabash. I have now to 
state to you that it appears he has determined to raise all the Aborigi- 
nes he can, immediately, with intention no doubt to attack our front- 
iers. He has sent runners to raise the Aborigines on the Illinois and 
the upper Mississippi: and I am told has gone himself to hurry on the 
aid he was promised by the Cherokees and Creeks. The Prophet's 
orator, who is considered the third man in this hostile band, passed 
within twelve miles of this place on the "iSrd ultimo with eight Shawa- 
nese, eight Winnebagoes and seven Kickapoos, in all twenty-four, on 
their way as they say to Sandusky, where they expected to receive a 
cpiantity of powder and lead from their father the British. 

Had the petitions of the settlers for more forts and stronger garri- 
sons tieen granted, and such bands as aliove mentioned been arrested and 
imprisoned, the influence of the British could have been greatly 
reduced and many American lives saved that were lost in later conflicts 
when the British and their savage allies were again fully organized. 
Governor Howard of Missouri Territory wrote from St. LouiS March 
19, 1812, detailing depredations and ' most barbarous murders ' by 
savages ; and the letters of like import from Captain Nathan Heald 
were frequent from Chicago, including the killing and eating of two 
Americans by Winnebagoes at the lead mines near the Mississippi. 



MURDEROUS RAIDINGS AND CANNIBALISM. 267 

Captain |. Kliia ol the Kith RfKiiiuiit <>i liilaiitry, stationi-cl at Fort 
Waviif, vvroti- Maicli llth, voii sa\ it uc liavt- a liritish war we shall 
have an Aborinine war. I'roiii tin- liest inlurniation I can ti<t, f liave 
every reason to believe we shall have an Aborigine war this spring 
whether we have a British war or not. 1 am told the Aborigines are 
making every preyiaration. There is certainly a very deep plan going 
on among the Aborigines. CajJtain John Whistler, in command ol 
Fort Lernoult at Ditroit, wrote I'm! Aiirii, that Liciiti-nant Fastman 
arrived here on the evening ol the 2i)th ultimo Irom Cincinnati. About 
si.\ miles on this side of the foot of the Miami [Maumee] ra])ids he met 
twentv-four .\borigines who were in thi- action against Covernor Har- 
rison [Hattle of Tippecanoe]. They were on their return from Maiden, 
and had been there for a length of time this winter and had, when Mr. 
Eastman met them, each a new stand of arms, some ol tluni were 
rifles others smooth liore; also a cjuantity of ammunition. One of 
these ,\lioriginis has shown in this town several wounds he had received 
in the action. 'I'he l.")th A])ril Cajitain Nathan lleald, in command ol 
Fort Dearborn at Chicago, wrote that the Aborigines had commenced 
hostilities in that vicinity by murdering two men about three miles 
from the lort. Other murders were reported Irom tlilUrent ])arts ol 
the west. The first of May Captain John Johnston reported from 
Piqua, Ohio, that three Americans had been killed at Defiance and two 
at Sanduskv by the savages. A general uprising oi the savages was 
now apparent to the westward, and the frontier settlers there were 
generally gathered in hastily constructed and uncomfortable block- 
houses. 

Benjamin F. Stickney, who had recently succeeded John Johnston 
as .Aborigine agent at Fort Wayne, wrote on May ■25th that M\- last was 
on the 15th instant. 1 told \ou then of the measures I had taken to 
make peace with the relatives of the two .\borigines who were killed at 
Greenville. Before receiving this you will undoubtedlv have received 
more correct information of the circumstances than 1 could give vou. 
The W'Omen and child who were taken prisoners were sent to me by 
Mr. Johnson with three or four horses and as much of the other 
propertx that was taken as he could obtain, under the care and pro- 
tection of two Shawanee chiefs and ten warriors. Thev arrived four 
days ago when there was a general collection of Aborigines forming to 
inform me what had been doing at a grand council they had been hold- 
ing on the Wal)ash where twelve tribes were represented, consisting of 
the Wyandots, Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawotamies, Delawares, 
Miamis, Eel River Miamis, Weas, Piankeshaws, Shawanese, Kicka- 
poos, and Winnebagoes. The council here continued two days and 
amounted to but verv little more than that thev had united to secure 



268 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

and maintain peace. I cannot explain the whole better than by enclos- 
ing you a copy of my letter to Governor Hull [at Detroit] viz: 
'The time appears to have arrived when it is necessary, if possible, to 
cut off all communication between the Aborigines within the territory 
of the United States and Canada.' . 

This was a very tardy suggestion of a policy the wisdom of the 
enforcement of which should have seemed a necessity years before. 
Many Aliorigines in this Basin, recipients of United States annuities 
and favors and more immediately under control of United States agents, 
had been loath to join Tecumseh and the Prophet: but band after 
band, including several hundred Ottawas of the lower Maumee, with 
the other tribes before named, had been enticed to remove to Tippe- 
canoe, or to near Maiden, and to all\- themselves with the hostiles. 



CHAPTER X. 
First Year of the War of 1H12. 

Notwithstanding the many reports to the Secretary of War through 
several years of depredations and murders bv the Aborigines, and the 
accumulated evidence of the incitements by British traders, agents and 
officers, it was not until the 13th June, 1H12, that a committee of 
Congress reported it proved that the British had been working among 
these Aborigines with the intention of securing them as allies against 
the United States: that the British had incited them to hostilities and 
presented them with weapons of warfare which had already been used 
against the Americans; and that it was the duty of the President of the 
United States to use the necessary means to protect the frontiers from 
the attacks with which they were yet threatened. 

Tecumseh visited the Aborigine Agent at Fort Wayne in June, 
ostensibly in friendship, but his real object was not apjiarent at that 
time. He had been giving attention to Little Turtle and the Miamis; 
but the former would have nothing to do with him. Soon after this 
visit he, and his followers, removed their headquarters to Maiden, to 
be in closer communication with the British. 

The war-cloud that had been lowering for several years settled 
into a formal declaration of war against Great Britain the 18th June, 
1812, on account of the enemy's interference with American trade, 
enforced bv a blockade : the impressment of American seamen, and 
the encouragement of the Aborigines in their savagery, the last charge 
being vet far more apparent in the West than in the East. 



OHIO ARMY FOR DETROIT. BUILDS TWO FORTS. 269 

Governor William Hull ol Michigan Territory was in \\'ashini;ton 
during a part of the winter ami spring of 1H12, and he urged the Presi- 
dent to increase the military force in the Northwest; and for the third 
time he called attention to the positive necessity of an American fliet 
on Lakt- ICric. The President made requisition early in April ii|)()ii 
Governor Return J. Meigs of Ohio for twelve hundred militia to be 
ready for immediate march to Detroit. He also appointed Commander 
Stewart agent on Lake Erie, and ordired the building of vessels for 
defense. April 8th Governor Hull was commissioned Brigadier 
General in the United States Army and was ordered to take charge of 
the Ohio troops. This was against his desire; but he arrived at Day- 
ton the place of rendezvous the 2oth May and the volunteer army was 
given to his command at once by Governor Meigs. 

The army moved northward June 1st to Urbana where the F"ourth 
Regiment of United States troops, which the President had ordered 
forward from Vincennes, joined it. This regiment was in the 
Battle of Tippecanoe, and to show tin great respect felt it was re- 
ceived by the Ohio troops with joyful demonstrations including an arch 
inscribed in its honor. It was the desire of General Hull to go as 
direct to Detroit as practicable, and this course led through a trackless 
forest until arrival at the Maumee River. Colonel Duncan M '.Arthur's 
First Regiment was detached to cut a road from Urbana, which was 
done to the Scioto River near the present Kenton, and there were built 
two blockhouses connected by palisades, which later received the name 
Fort M'Arthur. The army arrived at this post June ISJth. Colonel 
James Findlay's Second Regiment was here detached to cut and bridge 
a road onward. June 22nd Fort M'Arthur was garrisoned by Captain 
Dill's company and, leaving the sick in his care, the army moved forward. 

Heav\- rains made the way across the morasses at the headwaters 
of the Blanchard River well nigh impassable and, after laborious 
struggle and with great annoyance by small black flies and mosquitoes, 
they were obliged to halt sixteen miles from Fort M'Arthur. Here 
were built another stockade and houses which were named Fort Neces- 
sity. It was situated near the south line of the present Hancock 
County east of the center. At Fort Necessity, with lessening food 
supplies, the horses and oxen were i)ut on short allowance and re-ar- 
rangements were made whereby the wagons were to be relieved of 
more of their burden by packs on the horses 'and every man who 
could make a packsaddle was detailed on that business, but as soon as 
a sufficient number of saddles w'ere made the order was rescinded and 
the saddles were deposited in the blockhouse.'* As the armv was 



* Captain Robert MAfee's History of the War 0/ 1812. page W. 



270 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



about to march from Fort Necessity General Robert Lucas and W'il- 
Ham Denny, who had been sent by General Hull from Dayton with 
dispatches to acting Governor Atwater at Detroit, returned to General 
Hull with reports of British and Aborigine activity and alliance with 
threatening^ attitude. Also that the fort in Detroit was in bad condi- 
tion, and that the citizens generally were much pleased with the 
approach of the American army. The weather improving the armv 
advanced and, after three days marching, arrived at the Blanchard 
River, on the left bank of which Colonel Findlay's detachment which 




FORT UNULAY 

Built the latter part of June. 1812. .abandoned by the ITnited States late in 1814. Area 
about 1.50 feet square. Captain Arthur Thomas was Commandant with a garrison of about 
one company of soldiers. Its service was that of a restinc place, and temporary storaee for 
supplies. The pickets next to the Blanchard River were in eood condition as late as the 
year 1826. A blockhouse was also then standint;. and two small houses where travelers 
stopped for the nicht. Other pickets and timber had been or were beinc used as firewood. 
— From Researches and Surveys bv Charles E. Slocum. 

had been sent forward had nearly completed a palisade enclosure about 
one hundred and fifty feet scjuare with a blockhouse at each corner, 
and a ditch in front. General Hull gave this place of refuge in the 
forest the name Fort Findlay. It was situated but a few squares north 
of the present Court House in the City of Findlay. A messenger, 
Colonel Dunlap, here delivered to General Hull June 24th an order 
from the Secretary of War for the army to proceed at once to Detroit 



MARCH OF OHIO TROOPS. HULL'S THOUGHTLESSNESS. 27/ 

and there expect further orders. This order was dated the morninfr of 
June JHth the dav that war was declared, hut no mention was made in 
the order of this declaration. Colonel M'.\rthur, however, received 
conmiunication tin- same dav trom Chillicothe, stating on the authority 
of 'I'honias W'orthinjiton then Cnited States Senator, that war would 
lie ])r(ulaiiiud lulore this writing could he delivcnd to him. 'f'his 
letter was shown to Gen<-ral Hull who, Imm his i)re\ious infm ination, 
knew that war was imminent. 

President Madison and William l^ustis Secretary of War early 
provided for three armies for the prosecution of the War of 1H12, viz: 
the Army of the Northwest under General Hull, which was the first in 
the field : the Armv of the ("enter under General Solomon Van Rens- 
selaer whose head(iuarters were at Niat^ara; and the .\rmy of the North 
under General |osei)h Woomfield whose head(iuarters were at Flatts- 
bur^. New York. The limits of this book will admit of following onlv 
the movements, failures, and successes of the .Armv of the Northwest 
in, and relating; to this Basin. 

General Hull directed Colonel Lewis Cass with the Third Regi- 
ment to cut and prepare the road northward from Fort Findlay. Much 
of the heavy luggage was stored at P'ort F"indlay to lie forwarded as de- 
siri-d, and the armv jir'oceeded northward as soon as practicalih-. .\fter 
a tew days march they arrived at the Maumee River op])osite General 
Wayne's Battle Field of Fallen Timber where they encamped for the 
night. Fording the river at the Rapids here, the next encampment was 
made in view of a small village of American settlers at the foot of the 
lowest rapids near the site of the former Fort Miami. Here the schooner 
Cuyahoga under Cai>tain Chapin was chartered for Detroit and loaded 
with much of the heavier luggage, including entrenching tools, hospital 
stores, the heaviest part of the officers' personal effects and even thought- 
lessly including General Hull's commission, the instructions from the 
Secretary of War, and the complete muster rolls of the army. Thirtv 
soldiers were detailed as a guard for the schooner, which carried as pas- 
sengers the wives of three of the minor officers. The sequel proved that 
it would have been far better for the .American cause had General Hull 
also gone with his private papers, directly to the British. Captain 
M'Pherson of Cincinnati here suggested to General Hull that war must 
have l)een declared and that the schooner would be captured — M'Afee, 
page 56. The Cuyahoga, accompanied by a sloop carrying the sick 
under care of Surgeon's Mate James Reynolds, sailed however from the 
Maumee River July 1st, 1812, to be captured by the British next day 
when passing Maiden. The sloop bearing the sick was belated and, 
going up the shallower channel west of Bois Blanc Island, evaded the 
enemv and arrived at Detroit July 3rd, 



272 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Lieutenant Davidson and twenty-five men were detached to build 
and occupy a blockhouse at the ruins of Fort Miami* and, the 1st July, 
the army continued the march northward 'through an open country in- 
terspersed with thin proves of oak trees and scattering settlements of 
French' the one at the River Raisin beinfj styled by Captain M'Afee 
'a handsome villafje.' 

General Hull did not formally learn of the declaration of war until 
the afternoon of Julv :2nd when he was overtaken near Frenchtown (the 
present Monroe, Michigan) by a messenger with :.uch information from 
the Secretary of War: and he here also learned of the cajJture of his 
schooner. The British garrison at Maiden had previously received no- 
tification of the war, and was alert for action. Fort Michilimackinac 
(the name now often contractt.-d to Mackinaw) with a garrison of fifty- 
seven soldiers was surrendered to a far superior force of British and 
savages the 17th July the commandant Lieutenant Porter Hicks first 
learning at their demand for surrender that war was declared. Late in 
lulv General Hull ordered the abandonment of Fort Dearborn, Chicago, 
Captain William Wells bearing the order from Fort Wayne. 

GDv.^rnor Return J. Meigs, Thomas Worthington, and Jeremiah 
Morrow, as United States Commissioners, held a council at Piqua, Ohio, 
August 15th with such representatives of the Aborigines as could be 
gathered, for the purpose of retaining their neutrality with the British. 
A number of the Ohio tribes were represented, but little could be done 
with them, they having heard the reports from Detroit and Chicago. 

It is not within the scope of this writing to detail the waverings 
and cowardice of General Hull which have been so fully written about, 
and which culminated August 16th in the surrender of Detroit to the 
British with toward two thousand American soldiers without any effort 
to sustain their soldierly function. This surrender was an irreparable 
loss to the Northwestern region, and of corresponding value to the 
British, on the account of the loss to the Americans of two thousand 
and four hundred stand of arms besides those in the arsenal; also of 
cannon as follows: of iron, nine 24-pounders ; five 9, three 6, four 2, 
and two 1-pounders : and of howitzers, one H inch and one 5,V2 inch, 
according to the British official returns. 



*This small fortification will here be styled Fort Miami No. 6. On account of the confusions that 
have arisen in the past, the other forts of this name will be here mentioned, viz: 1. Fort des Miamis built 
in November. 1679. by Sieiir de la Salle near the mouth of the River St. Joseph of Lake Michigan: 2, 
Fort Miami, built by the French about ]6H0>*t> by the River St. Mary near the head of the Maumee; 3, 
Fort Miami, built by Commandant Raimond in IT49-.')0 by the River St. Joseph near the head of the Mau- 
mee to succeed number two, see map anfe page 97; 4. Fort Miami temporarily built by I'nited States 
troops about 179() by the Ohio at the mouth of the Little Miami River; .'J. Fort Miami, built by the British 
in the spring and summer of 1794 on the left bank of the Maumee River at the lower part of the present 
plat of the Village of Manmee. Ohio. See the article on the Forts Miami in the Ohio Archaelogical and 
Historical Quartdriy .\pril. 1903, volume xii page 120 et ssq. by Charles E. Slocum. 



OHIO TROOPS RETURN. NEW CALL FOR DEFENSE. 273 

The Ohio volunteers in this unfortunato army were f)aroled and 
sent across Lake Erie to Cleveland whence they walked to their several 
homes. They were exchanf^ed in March or early Ajjril, IHIIJ. General 
Hull and the United States troops were retained as i)risoners of war, 
and Were sent to Montreal. 

An additional two hiuulr. d and thirtv volunteers under Cajitain 
Henry. Brush, with onv hundied heel cattle and other food supplies 
sent by Governor Meiys to reinforce the army at Detroit, were held by 
till r.iitish Iroiii aiKaniini; bivond the River Raisin from the first days 
ol Aiif;ust without nliil Iron) Detroit. General Hull included this 
force in his surrendi r; but when Cajitain Elliott, son of the notorious 
Captain Mattlu w Elliott, and attendants came to claim this prize Cap- 
tain Brush placed tluin uudur arrest and immediately started his com- 
mand and supplies southward, and conducted them back to Governor 
Meigs. 

When the critical state of affairs at Detroit was made known to 
Governor Meijjs he immediately ordered the remaining part of Ohio's 
(|uc)ta of the one hundn d thousand detached militia, which the Pres- 
ident was authorized to levy among the States, twelve hundred in 
number, to rendezvous under BrigadiL-r General Tupper at Urbana 
which was tlun will in the edge of the wilderness. When the Gover- 
nor li aincd ol the loss of Detroit he was active in placing every effect- 
ive torcL and i)oint in good condition for successful defense against 
the savages I also in advising the frontiersmen to gather and build 
blockhouses for the protection of their families. 

Kentucky, under the Governorship of the veteran General Charles 
Scott, was prompt in gathering her e|uota of ten regiments of about 
five hundred and fitt\ men each. Governor Harrison who, the pre- 
ceding ye-ar, had be e u commissioned to command the troops in Indi- 
ana and Illinois Territories had, with his characteristic thoughtfulness 
and good judgment, secured places of refuge for the settlers in his 
domain. He was also authorized to call on the Governor of Kentucky 
for any soldiers needed from that State, who were not in service. By 
invitation of Governor Scott, his comrade in General Wayne's cam- 
paign through Ohio, he visited Frankfort, inspected the militia, and 
was given a public reception, the principal citizens including Henry 
Clay uniting to do him honor; and in order that he might be chief in 
command of the Kentucky forces. Governor Scott commissioned him 
25th .\ugust, I'-ili, Major General of the Militia of Kentucky by brevet. 
It was not known by either party that President Madison had commis- 
sioned him 'I'lnd August Brigadier General in the Army of the United 
States. Writing to Governor Meigs on the 27th from Cincinnati, 
General Harrison stated that the Kentuck\- troops then with him were 



274 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

two regiments of infantry and one of mountid riflemen, wliicfi were 
ordered at once to Urbana; and tliat three regiments of infantry, one 
of dragoons, and one of mounted riflemen, were in full march to join 
him — the whole number being over four thousand men. He further 
stated that should the report of the capture of General Hull's army 
prove untrue, I shall join them either at that place [Urbana] or before 
they reach it, and proceed to Detroit without waiting for the regiments 
in my rear.' He also enquired what assistance could be given him 
from Ohio. 

The Kentucky troops marched up the Miami Valley and were 
overtaken by General Harrison the third day. September 2nd, when 
above Dayton, they were overtaken by an express bearing the United 
States commission for General Harrison, and instructions for him to 
take command of the Indiana and Illinois troops and cooperate with 
General Hull and Governor Howard of Missouri Territory, as General 
James Winchester had been assigned to the command of the North- 
western .\rmy. The march was continued to I'i(-|ua where they arrived 
Se]5tember 3rd to learn that Fort Wayne, which had been rebuilt by 
Colonel Thomas Hunt in 1H04, was strongly besieged by savages and 
that a strong command of British and savages had been sent from 
Maiden for the conquest of the Maumee and Wabash valleys. The 
Aborigine Agent at Piqua, John Johnston, at the request of General 
Harrison sent some Shawnee scouts to the site of Fort Defiance to 
ascertain if any British force had passed up the Maumee to the siege 
of Fort Wayne. Captain John Logan a Shawnee half-breed was also 
sent to Fort Wayne to learn and to report its condition as soon as 
possible.* 

Immediate action seemed imperative and, without awaiting Gen- 
eral Winchester's arrival or his orders. Genera,! Harrison ordered 
Lieutenant Colonel John Allen's regiment of United States troops, 
with two companies from Colonel Lewis' regiment and one company 
from Colonel Scott's regiment to prepare for a forced march to the 
relief of Fort Wayne. t A delay of two days of the cavalry was neces- 
sary to receive flints for their guns and a few other supplies that were 



* This half-breed Shawnee was captured when a boy by the Kentuckians. and he lived some years 
in the family of General Logan, hence his name. He grew to noble stature, and with manly qualities. 
Upon return to his people in Ohio, he became a chief and governed the sentiments of many of his 
tribe favorably to the Americans. He will be referred to again. 

t Early the next day, the .^th September, General Harrison paraded the remainder of the troops 
and delivered to them a speech, detailing the duties of soldiers, and stating if there was any person 
who would not submit to such regulations, or who was afraid to risk his life in defense of his country, 
he might return home. Only one man desired to return; and his friends having obtained leave, as 
usual, to escort him on his way, he was hoisted on a rail and carried to the Big Miami, in the waters of 
which they absolved him from the obligations of courage and patriotism, and then gave him leave of 
absence— Captain Robert M'Afees His. of the Late War [18121 page 131, 



HARRISON'S MARCH TO RELIEF OF FORT WAYNE. 275 

daily expected; and at dawn of the 6th So]itenibtr they moved briskly 
forward in li^ht marchirifj f(|iiii)mLnt, and came up to Colonel Allen's 
command early on the Kth at St. Marys (Girty Town, so named from 
James not Simon Girty's tradin^i house) where an express from 
General Harrison had overtaken Colonel Allen with orders to halt and 
luiild a i>alisa(led lort tor protection of the sick and security 6f provis- 
ions. Here they wc ic' loiiu <1 bv Major Richard M. Johnson with a 
corps of Kentucky mounted \nlunteers. That ni^ht Aborijjines wer<' 
seen spyinjj the enc.unpnu nl but liny did not molest. They retiirm d 
to the besiegers of Fort Wayne with the re])ort that ' Kentuck was 
coming as numerous as the trees.' Here the sjiy Captain LoRan re- 
ported the distressed condition of Fort Wayne, he having evaded the 
besiegers and returned in safety. The afternoon of the 9th September 
the army encamped at Shane's (Chesne's) Crossing of the River St. 
Mary, at the present Rockford, where they met Colonel Adams with a 
good force of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. From this place the combined 
forces moved cautiously and in as mar battle order as practicable. 
General Harrison had been an aiit student of General Wayne's suc- 
cess. He fortified the camp each night, and marched through the 
forest in such order by dav as to prevent being ambuscaded or attacked 
unawares; and he kept well-informed regarding the temper and con- 
dition of each corps. Cai)tain Logan and another Shawnee acted as 
guides, while scouts and an advance guard w-ere maintained. These 
discovered an ambush of savages at the narrow crossing of the marshy 
ancient channel of the River St. Mary, about five miles southeast of 
Fort Wayne. As the army approached this place the cavalry under 
Majors Johnson and Adams were sent around to the right and left. 
The length of the swampy portion was about one mile and its width 
about nine hundred feet excepting the part most feared which was 
about three hundred feet across. But one savage was seen by this 
force and he a mile distant. They forsook their hiding places on 
approach of the cavalry. 

The scouts soon reconnoitered the country around F"ort \\ ayne to 
find that the savages had made good their escape. That afternoon 
most of the arm\' encamped near the Fort where a short time before 
had been a comfortable village. It was now in ruins, having been 
burned by the savages together WMth the United States Factory (Trad- 
ing Agency Building) which had been erected to supply the ungrateful 
wretches with farming utensils and the comforts of civilized life. The 
following letter written by Lieutenant Daniel Curtis is here given as a 
description of the Siege of Fort Wayne by an officer who experienced it: 

Fort Wayne October 4, 1812. 
Friend Cullen ; Xa our difficulties for the moment have in some manner subsided 



276 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

and as I have been so fortunate as to survive the seige, it afiords me the highest satisfac- 
tion to have it in my power to communicate to you some among many of the most im- 
portant occurrences since my arrival at this place. I arrived here on the iith of June after 
a successful passage, and killed two deer on the way. 1 was on my arrival and still con- 
tinue to be highly delighted with the place and my situation, except perhaps I might be 
better suited with a more active employment than I have had till about the fourth of last 
month. 

Shortly after my arrival Lieut. Whistler left this place for Detroit (which perhaps 
you are acquainted with) and has not yet returned ; we presume he has gone to take a peep 
at Montreal with the other unfortunate beings included in the capitulation of Gen. Hull 
to the British. Nothing of an important nature transpired till about the 7th of August, 
when our captain received a note from General Hull stating that Fort Dearborn was to 
be evacuated and requesting the Captain to communicate the same to Capt. Wells and 
Mr. Stickney, and ask them to point out the most safe and expeditious route for Capt. 
Heald to take from Chicago to Detroit. The gentlemen were consulted on the subject, 
and concluded that by way of this place would be the best route ; and in order to secure 
as much of the public property at that place as possible, Capt. Wells thought proper to 
use his endeavors to that effect. 

Accordingly on the 8th [August, bS12] Capt. [William] Wells, with a party of thirty- 
five Miami .Aborigines with their pack horses, and one of our soldiers with five of our pub- 
lic horses, started to assist Capt, Heald in the evacuation of Chicago, On the morning of 
the litth one of the Aborigines that accompanied Capt, Wells returned bringing the intel- 
ligence that on the morning of the l.")th Capt. Heald and his company with Capt. Wells 
were all cut oft, the particulars of which he then related. They arrived at Chicago on the 
l.ith where were encamped then about .lOO Aborigines of different tribes, some of whom 
were known to be at enmity with our government. Capt. Wells being well acquainted with 
Aborigine customs and seeing the difficulties likely to attend Capt. Heald in getting away 
from his post, used every exertion in his power to effect an evacuation without the loss of 
men. He even gave up the arsenal and magazine stores to satisfy their savage ferocity, 
[but he poured the large stock of Alcoholic liquor into the river and the powder into the 
water-well. These were the articles most desired by the savages] but to no effect, and 
then agreed to deliver up all the cattle (about 100 head) and made them several valuable 
presents, in hope of being permitted to depart in peace. 

The fatal morning arrived, and while the blood-thirsty savages were killing and dress- 
ing their beeves, the garrison [fort] was evacuated, Capt. Heald .and Wells marching in 
front, the baggage wagons next, the women and children next to them, followed by the 
soldiers and the thirty-five Miamis with their pack-horses bringing up the rear. They had 
not passed one mile from their little asylum when the alarm was given that the enemy, 
about 400 in number, were close upon them. A kind of hollow square was immediately 
formed encompassing the women and children, and two rounds fired ; but being over- 
powered by numbers, the brave, the innocent, the fair and the helpless fell a prey to the 
savage cruelty of the tomahawk and .scalping knife. We have since been told by another 
Aborigine that Capt. Heald and wife (both wounded) Mr. Kinzy and wife, Lieut. 
Helms and wife, and nineteen soldiers were made prisoners and are to be transported to 
Montreal or Quebec, with other prisoners taken at the capitulation, which perhaps you 
know better than I do. Thus ends the fate of Chicago and its worthy commander.* 

The success of this post [Fort Wayne] and the fate of its great, worthy and intrepid [?] 
commander I now proceed to relate, and in some instances to particularize. The 
Aborigines, since the news of Chicago, e.'icept some of the Miamis, have expressed and 

"' See Captain Nathan Heald's Report of the evacuation of Fort Dearborn and the subsequent 
massacre. M'Afee, in his History of the Late War {War of 1812) states that Captain Wells started from 



BEGINNING OF THE SIEGE OF FORT WAYNE. 277 

manifest a very diflerent disposilion from anything discovered in them previous to that 
event. Many attempts have been made to send expresses through to Detroit and many 
failed, either by being killed or driven back by the Aborigines. A Mr. Johnson an 
express to Fiqua, Ohio, was killed on the evening of the 28th [August] before he had 
gone half a mile from the post. He was shot through the body, tomahawked, 
scalped, stabbed in twenty-three places, and beaten and bruised in the most 
cruel and barbarous manner. The next day an Aborigine came within hearing of our 
sentinels and hailed, requesting admittance into the garrison. This was the first instance 
since my acquaintance at this place of an Aborigine hesitating or expressing any fear in 
approaching the garrison. His business was to request of our captain a white flag that 
some of the chiefs might come and speak with him and the Aborigine agent, a Mr. 
Stickney. The flag was granted under a promise of its being returned that day ; but 
the rascals kept it several days, during which time they were constantly plundering our 
gardens and cornfields, and were killing and carrying away our cattle and hogs immedi- 
ately under our guns and we poor soldiers, either from cowardice or some other agency 
in our captain, were not suffered to tire a gun but obliged to suffer their repeated insults 
to pass with impunity. 

On the evening of the 4th of September the flag returned accompanied by several 
chiefs, and after being asked whether they wished to remain at peace with us or be con- 
sidered in an open state of warfare, the head chief among them observed . ' You know 
that Mackinaw is taken. Detroit is in the hands of the British, and Chicago has fallen ; 
and you must expect to fall next, and that in a short time!' Immediately our great 
captain invited the savage rascal over to his quarters and after drinking three glasses of 
wine with him rose from his seat and observed ; ' My good friend, I love you ; I will fight 
for you; I will die by your side. You must save me! ' and then gave him a half dollar 
as a token of friendship, inviting him at the same time to come and breakfast with him 
the next morning. The chief and his party retired to their camps, but instead of accept- 
ing his invitation to breakfast sent five of their young warriors, who secreted themselves 
behind a roothouse [house for vegetables] near the garrison, from which they shot two 
of our men about sunrise as they were passing from a small hotel near that place. 

The night of the ")th arrived and our captain had not drawn a sober breath since the 
chiefs left the garrison the night before. From the movement of the Aborigines in the 
course of the day. Lieut. Ostrander and myself expected to have some sport before the 
next morning and were not disappointed in our conjectures, for at about 8 p. m. a gen- 
eral shout from the enemy was heard, succeeded by a firing of small arms on every side 
of us. The alarm post of every man. as well as the respective duties of Mr. Ostrander 
and myself having been regulated during the day. the enemy had not time to fire a 
second round before we were ready and opened three broadsides upon them, and sent 
them a few shells from our howitzer which we presume must have raked the skins of 
many. We exchanged three general shots when I discovered from the flash of their 
guns that they were secreted behind the building, fences and shrubbery near the gar- 
rison, and ordered the men to cease firing till further orders, thinking the enemy would 
conclude that we were either frightened or scarce of ammunition, and perhaps would 
venture a little nearer. Although our ceasing to fire did not appear to bring them 
nearer, yet it tended to concentrate them more in a body though they continued an 
irregular fire about half an hour, without our returning a shot. .\s soon as a large body 



Fort Wayne about the 3rd AiiKUst. iyi3. witli about fifty Miainis. and arrived at Chicago on the 12th. . . 
that the garrison of Fort Dearborn nntnbered seventy soldiers. . . That at the ntassacre of the gar- 
rison the head of Ca[)tain Wells was cut oft. and his heart cut out and eaten by the savages who were of 
the Winnebago. Pottawotami. and Ottawa tribes -principally of the two last named. They were 
directly incited to this massacre by Tecumseh. 



278 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

had collected at one point we threw a couple of shells from our howitzers which soon 
made them disperse, and but few shots were received from them the remainder of the 
night. The next day they kept up a firing from behind fences, buildings and shrubbery 
near the garrison, till about 3 p. m. in order, we presume, to disturb our rest, knowing 
that we had been all night on the alert. Our captain still continued drunk as a fool, 
and perfectly incapable of exercising rationality on any subject whatever, but was con- 
stantly abusing and illtreating everyone that came in his presence. The night of the 
(ith [September] approached ; and as we are told that caution is the mother of safety, 
we had the roofs of our houses al! watered, as well as the pickets on the inside, our 
water casks all filled, and buckets all ready in case of the enemy's attempting to throw 
fire, which they had endeavored several times to do without success. This was all done 
and every man at his post before dark. Between 8 and 9 p. m. we heard a most tremen- 
dous noise, singing, dancing and whooping, and when they arrived within a proper dis- 
tance they hailed and asked us in plain English what we intended to do, whether sur- 
render or to fight ? They said they had .)00 men with them and that they expected TOO 
more the next day. and that in three days' time they would show us what they could do. 
We answered them that we were ready, and bade them to come on ; that we were 
determined to a man to fight till we should lose our lives before we would yield an inch 
to them, and then we gave a general shout round the works in true Aborigine style, 
which they instantly returned, commencing at the same time a general fire which was 
kept up on both sides with much warmth till about 11 o'clock, without the loss or injury 
of a man on our side ; but. from appearance, they must have lost many as they were 
very quiet till towards night. 

The siege continued from the morning of the ."jth till the morning of the 10th, both 
day and night, much in the manner above described, and the fears and troubles of our 
great and intrepid commander were continually drowned in the excessive use of the 
ardents. Our fears and apprehensions from the disorder and confusion he created 
among the men, were one of our greatest troubles, and we had everything prepared at 
one time to silence his noise and clamor by coercive measures. He would frequently 
talk of surrendering if the Aborigines were likely to be too much for us, and particularly 
if they or the British were to bring one or more pieces of cannon* which they took at 
Chicago and place them near the garrison, when he knew that the largest piece at 
Chicago was only a three-pounder ; and when told by one of his subalterns, that the first 
person in the garrison who should offer to surrender to the Aborigines or British at the 
approach of no heavier piece than a three-pounder should instantly be shot, he offered 
no resistance, but remained silent on the subject. 

After the 10th we rested in tranquility, but could see large bodies of Aborigines 
between that time and the 12th running in great haste across the prairies, and many 
without arms. 'We were at a loss to determine the cause of this movement, but con- 
cluded that they must have met with some opposition or discovered the approach of an 
army between this place and Piqua, as they were running from that quarter. .About 



* The armament of Fort Wayne at this time consisted of four small cannon — M'Afee's History of 
the War. page 127. On the ninhl of the 6th September the whole body of Aboriijines, supposed to Iiave 
been six hundred stronp. attacked the Fort. Tliey attempted to scale the palisades, but so vigilant and 
skillful were the garrison that the savages were not permitted to do any damage. Perceiving such 
assaults to be useless, they resolved to employ strategy in the morning. Two logs were formed into the 
shape of cannon and placed in battery before the Fort. A half-breed with a flag approached and in- 
formed the commandant that the British, then on the march, had sent them two battery cannon, and if 
surrender was not immediately made the Fort would be battered down. He also threatened a general 
massacre of the garrison within three days as a reinforcement of seven hundred Aborigine warriors 
were expected the next day. The troops were not frightened by the ' Quaker guns' ~ M'Afee, page 126. 
Lossing's Pictorial Field-Book of the War of 1812, page 314. Different later writers have amplified 
their suppositions regarding phases of this siege for local newspapers, and for local addresses. 



ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE SIEGE OF FORT WAYNE. 279 

'.i o'clock p. m. of the l:ilh [September] to our great joy we discovered the approach of a 
small troop of horses, and on their coming up to the garrison, we learned it was the ad- 
vance guard of an army of about .")00() men [the number here given is about twice too large] 
under the command of Brigadier General Harrison. You may rest assured friend C. that 
we lost no time after the general had pitched upon and regulated his encampment, in 
making known tn him the late rondurt of our gr<tat. worthy, and mort.Tl <'aptain fames 



n 


k^ wmM 


L_> 



A sword twenty-one inclles lonu ttiat was plowed up a few years ak'o while i,'radinu the Lakeside 
Addition to Fort Wayne on the site of the ancient Miami Village at the liead of the Maninee River. See 
No. a A on Map paye 97. Probably this weapon was made by a French Armorer {who accompanied 
some of the early l-'rencli troops) for a savage warrior who presented a bone from one of liis human 
victims for the handle. Possibly it was made somewhat in imitation of and to cope with the 'long 
knives ' of the Kentuckians which the savages dreaded. In the .Author's Collection. 



Rhea. The General, after hearing with great attention what we had to relate, expressed his 
great astonishment at the breach of confidence in the captain, and desired to have 
everything reduced to writing and the charges produced in regular form, which was done 
that evening and the next morning handed in. About 10 o'clock the captain was hon- 
ored with a note from the General, requesting him to deliver the bearer his long knife 
and consider himself under arrest till his late conduct should be brought to a public 
investigation. Shortly afterwards the General sent one of his aids to us, requesting to 
know whether we would withdraw the arrest in case the captain would resign. We at 
first declined, but on further request of the General, we consented, on the consideration 
of his having been a long time in the service, but more particularly on account of his 
having a young family. His resignation was sent in and accepted, to take effect on the 
lil St of December next, and in two days he left this place for the state of Ohio. Thus 
ends the success of this place so far, and thus you see the evils, the disappointments and 
mortifications, attendant upon cowardice and intoxication in mortal men. 

Yours, Daniel Cl-rtis. 

Major Benjamin Franklin Sticknt-y United States Agent to the 
Aborigines was stationed at Fort Wayne in 1M12 and, in later vears, 
wrote something of a description of the Siege. His rnanuscript reads, 
in part, that after the massacre at Chicago, those Pottawotamis en- 
gaged in it, and who promised safe escort of the garrison to Fort 
Wayne, spent some time about Fort Dearborn dividing and enjoying 
the spoils which had been given to them by Captains Heald and Wells 
just before the massacre. They then went to the St. Joseph River of 
Lake Michigan where they were assembled in council b\' British 



280 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

emissaries who instigated the sieges of Fort Wayne and Fort Harrison 
on the Wabash. The British agents promised that in case the Aborigi- 
nes would besiege these forts, and prevent their evacuation by the 
garrisons, they should be joined in one moon by a large British force 
from Maiden and Detroit with artillery which would be able to 
demolish the stockades and give up the garrisons to massacre and spoil 

— and their success in this would expose the whole frontier to their 
devastation. The siege was to be commenced in twenty da\s after 
the council adjourned. 

Antoine Bondie, who had lived with the Aborigines from his 
twelfth year, was at this time about fifty years of age: had married a 
Miami and been a member of the tribe many vears, conforming to their 
habits and mode of life. He had also been a trader among them in 
their village near Fort Wayne. He was notified by Me-te-a, Potta- 
wotami chief, of the proposed siege for the purpose of saving him from 
the destruction they planned for the garrison. Bondie told Mr. Stick- 
ney of the designed siege and he informed Captain Rhea, commandant 
of Fort Wayne, and Captain Zachary Taylor of Fort Harrison, also 
General Harrison. Captain Rhea discredited the rejjort, but Agent 
Stickney sent the women and children at Fort Wayne to Piqua: and 
within a few hours after these several expresses were sent the Aborigi- 
nes drew their lines of guard around Fort Wayne. On the 5th August 
Agent Stickney was prostrated by a severe illness from which he be- 
came convalescent only after twelve days. He was then conveyed 
from the Agency House to the Fort for safety. Bondie and his family 
also moved into the Fort. 

The number of the Aborigine warriors around was estimated at five 
hundnd. They were secreted around, hoping to catch the sentries care- 
less or off guard. They essayed strategy. They killed Stephen Johnson 
clerk in the Agency Store who started for Pitjua to visit his wife. They 
killed the garrison's cattle and hogs, stole the horses, and committed all 
depredations possible. Both parties wished to delay the final conflict 

— the Americans for General Harrison's arrival, the Aborigines for the 
arrival of the British — but they kept up their efforts at strategy. 

One day the Aborigines expressed a desire to be admitted to the 
Fort to see the .'\gent, to agree upon some terms for 'burying the toma- 
hawk' and asked for a signal by which they might approach the Fort 
and he permitted to talk with their 'white father.' A white cloth was 
sent to them to be used as a flag of truce. For several da^'S they de- 
layed making use of the flag, and continued their depredations. Agent 
Stickney sent a message to them by an Aborigine, that they had 
soiled his flag and he could not suffer them to retain it any longer; they 
must return it immediately. The next day the whole body moved up 



SCHEMES OF SAVAGES AT SIEGE OF FORT WAYNE. 281 

to the Fort bearing; the white Haj; in front. The gates of the Fort had 
been kept closed hut the savages were in hopes by this scheme to 
olitain the admission of a huuc number. The .Xgent, still very weak 
from his sickness, with dilhculty walked to the gate and designated In- 
name the chiefs to be admitted, who upon their entrance within the 
stockade, one 1)\- one, were examined closely and disarmed l)y the 
guard, 'i'hirteen were admitted, and they followed the .Agent to his 
sleei>ing ai)artment. The officers of the garrison remained in their 
i|uart« rs. Tin Agent addressed a note to Captain Khea recpiesting 
that the guard be i)araded and kept under arms during the continuance 
ol the council. An usual tobacco was given to the chiefs. When their 
pipes were smoked nut, W'innemac arose and, addressing the .\gint, 
said the Pottawotamis did not kill his clerk Johnson: but the voung 
men could not hv controlled. The soldiers had been killed, and the 
horses taken without tlu- knowledge or consent of the chiels. 'ijiit,' 
he continued, 'if my l'"ather wishes war, I am a man.' With this ex- 
Viression he struck his hand upon a knife that was concealed under his 
blanket. The .\gent at this time did not understand the language, but 
saw- there w'as something serious impending. Antoine Bondie, who 
was present and understood the whole force of what was .said, sprang 
to his feet and, striking his own knife, shouted in Pottawotami 'I am a 
man also.' This excited the interpreter, but the savages, contrary to 
Winnemac's exix'ctations, remained ((uiet. Winnemac, turning to the 
principal chief, An-ouk-sa, who had been watching the soldiers through 
the window, received troni him signs intimating that their intended 
strategy was at an I'nd. Their plans as later divulged were for Winni- 
mac to assassinate Agent Stii'kn<\-, and others to kill the military 
officers, while the others opened the gates for the outer savages to 
enter for a general massacre. 

Al)Out the 1st of September \\ illiam Oliver, Captain John Logan 
and thirty other Shaw-nees, arrivt d at the Fort on horseback at full 
speed and 'in full yell' of triumph. Oliver was then aliout tw-enty- 
three years old. He had been a sutler at the Fort, and went to Cincin- 
nati on business before there w-as a suspicion of siege. After a short 
rest his escort started southward to hasten forward the relieving army. 
The garrison was doomed to a longer state of suspense. The anxiety 
became intense : "and it was through extreme good fortune, perhaps 
mere accident, that the garrison did hold out w-ith so little good 
management. Thi' commanding officer w-as drunk nearly all the time, 
and the two lieutenants were inefficient men, entirely unht to hold 
commissions of any grade.* The non-commissioned officers and 



■^Pi'obahly these extreme statements of .'\eeiit Stickney should be received with some allowance. 
It is signiticant that neither the letter of Lieutenant Curtis, yiven in full on preceding pages, nor Captain 



282 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

privates, eightv in number, behaved very well. The Aborigine Agent 
was feeble and incapable of much exertion. William Oliver, though a 
private citizen, was the most efficient man in the Fort after his return." 

During the siege the garrison lost but three men killed. From 
subsequent information it was believed that the savages lost about 
twentv-five. 

The savages, before retreating from the Siege of Fort Wayne, 
destroyed all the food they could not take away, cattle and crops. 
They also burned all the buildings outside the stockade, includ- 
ing those of the United States Trading Agency a little southwest of the 
Fort, and those belonging to the family of William Wells who met 
death in the massacre at Chicago. 

The next day after his arrival at Fort W'avne General Harrison sent 
Colonel Pavne with troops down Little River to the Wabash. They 
destroyed several Miami villages and corn, but did not find any Abo- 
rigines.* The command of Colonel Samuel Wells was also sent the 
IHth on like mission to the Elk Heart River, about sixty miles distant, 
where they destroyed the town and supplies of the Pottawotamis under 
chief Onoxse or Five Medals. t This was a forced and very exhausting 
march. Manv of the infantry sickened on the return and came strag- 
gling in, helped along by the cavalry, after the arrival of the main bodv 
on the 18th September. Another detachment under Colonel Simrall, 
who followed the army to Fort Wayne with three hundred and twenty 
dragoons with muskets and a company of mounted riflemen arriving 
on the 17th September, was sent on the evening of the 18th to Eel 
River about twenty miles to the northwest, where they destroyed Little 
Turtle's townt leaving only the house built for him by the United 
States in recognition of his adherence to the Treaty of Greenville. 

General Winchester arrived at Fort Wayne September 19th to 
take command of the entire army. James Winchester was born at 



Robert B. M'Afee who was with the relieving army, do not mention the arrival of William Oliver in 
company with Captain Logan^ 

'■■■ In one of these villages an unusual mode of burial was recoEuized in a tomb built of logs with 
the interstices tilled with wet clay. The body was that of a chief and the articles noticed as having 
been deposited with the body, were a blanket underneath, his gun and pipe by his side, a small tin pan 
containing a wood spoon on his breast, and a number of ear rings and brooches. 

t A pole before the cabin of chief O-nox-se supported a red flag with a broom above. A white flag 
was waving at the tomb of an old woman. This tomb was not desecrated by the soldiers; but they saw 
the body in a sitting posture with face toward the east; with a basket at her side containing the bills 
and claws of owls and hawks, a variety of bones, and bunches of roots tied together, from which it was 
inferred that she was respected as a sorceress. In one of the huts was found a morning report of one of 
General Hull's captains at Detroit; a copy of the Liberty Hall newspaper printed in Cincinnati which 
contained an account of General Harrison's army; several coarse bags which appeared to have con- 
tained shot; and pieces of boxes with the name London and Maiden painted on them— M'Afee, page 130. 

+ Early in the year the Miamis, excepting those associated with Little Turtle, joined Tecumseh 
and the Prophet and, after the death of Little Turtle 14th July. ISl-3, and of Captain Wells at Chicago, 
the others went to the British. 



GENERAL WINCHESTER TAKES COMMAND. 283 

White Level (now Westminster) M;u\ laud, lilh l-'ebruaiv, 17'):^. He 
was appointed a Lieutenant in the Third Ke(riment Maryland Infantry 
27th May, 177H, and served in the Continental Army until cajitured hy 
the British a few months later. He was exchanjjed L*2nd December, 
1780, and soon thereafter he removed to Sumner County, Tennessee, 
where he married. He there attained a jjood property and maintained 
a liberal establishment on a large estate. He wascommissioned Hriga- 
diiT General in tlu- United States Army 27th March, 1H|2, and after 
the surrender of General Hull he was directed by the Secretary of War 
to take command of the .\rru\ of the Northwest. With commendable 
luiimiititude he started mntliuard, stoi)iunj< in Kentucky to learn of 
the jireparations there. Upon his arrival at Cincinnati 9th Septemlier 
he wrote to Governor Meigs announcing his mission, asking for rein- 
forcements of Ohio militia, and for a meeting at Piqua. With a small 
detachment of troops he moved northward along the way of the pre- 
ceding armv to I'ort Wayne. General Harrison received him with dui' 
deference, anil the conini.iud ol the arni\- was at once given over to him 
in complete exhibition ol tlie ready obedience of the true soldier to his 
ranking officer und<'r \er\ tr\ing conditions. General Harrison had 
been an efficient aide-ih'-ramp to General Wayne in his successful 
campaign against the .'\borigines in this Basin in 1794; later, he served 
as Secretary of the Territory Northwest of the Ohio River: and he had 
been an efficient first Governor of Indiana Territory, and S\ipeiin- 
tendent of the Affairs of the Aborigines during the last eleven years. 
No man knew this frontier and wilderness region, and the Aborigini'S, 
better than he from long personal experience. He had met the differ- 
ent tribes of Aborigines in thirteen important treaties and they, to the 
utmost of their ability and in their calmer moments, had acknowledged 
his superiority and his fairness. He had later experience in the com- 
mand of an army against treacherous and impetuous night assault in 
the Battle of Tippecanoe. The soldiers of Ohio and Kentucky, as well 
as of Indiana, knew his wisdom and his bravery which inspired confi- 
dence, and they wanted him as their commander. The Governors of 
Ohio and Kentucky were of like mind, and they had commissioned him 
accordingly. Notwithstanding all this, General Harrison in obedience 
to the command of the Secretary of War at once accepted as his rank- 
ing officer a stranger to himself, to the soldiers, to this wilderness 
country, to the ways of the Aborigines and to the condition of affairs. 
He did this September 19th and immediately, after issuing orders to 
the army introducing General Winchester and urging strict obedience 
to his commands, started on his return. 

At St. Marys General Harrison wrote to Governor Meigs under 
date ol the 20th, and to Governor Shelby the 22nd September, that 



284 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



'from Fort Wayne there is a path, which has been sometimes used b^^ 
the Aborigines, leading up to St. Joseph, and from thence by the head- 
waters of the River Raisin to Detroit. ]^>y this route it appears to me 
very practicable to cftect a coup-de-main u]ion that jilace, and if I can 







A GLIMPSE OF THE VILLAGE OF FORT JENNINGS 

Putnam County, Oliio, May 38, 1902. Looking westward up the Auylaise River at low stace of 
water. The first small building on the right marks the site of the Fort Jennings built in October, 1H13, 
and abandoned late in the year 1814. 

collect a few hundred more mounted men I shall attempt it.'* This 
route, however, was not entered upon. There had arrived at St. 
Marys up to this time, of Kentucky troops, Colonel Joshua Barbee's 
regiment which was ordered to build there a fortification and stockade 
as a storehouse and protection for supplies, which was named Fort 
Barbee; Colonel Robert Rogers' regiment, and Colonel William Jen- 
nings' regiment of riflemen; also, of Ohio men, a corps of cavalry 
commanded by Colonel Findlay. The cavalry was ordered to burn the 
Ottawa towns by the ^Blanchard Rivert while Colonel Jennings was 
ordered to open a direct road toward Defiance, and to build a post by 
the Auglaise River for the protection of supplies. This post was 



* Lossing's Pictorial Field-Book of ttie War of 1812 page 336. 

t There were two Ottawa {often called Tawa) towns by the Blanchard River at this time, the 
Upper and the Lower, about two miles apart, the lower being at the site of the present Village of 
Ottawa, seat of government of Putnam County, Ohio. 



HARRISON GIVEN COMMAND NORTHWESTERN ARMY. 285 

named l'"orl KiuiinKS in liis honor, wliicli name the pleasant villai^e at 
its site yet retains. 

Governor Isaac Shelby of Kentucky on the 5th September, 1HI2, 
addressed a letter to William Eustis, Secretary of War, suRKestinji a 
Board ol War l<jr this western country; also recommending^ General 
Harrison as commander-in-chief, and mentioned evils that would result 
from continuing; General Winchester as chief in command. Mr. Kustis 
replied under date of the 17th that General Harrison would at once be 
jjiven chief command; and at Piqua on the 24th Se])tember, General 
Harrison received a letter from the Secretary of W'ar stating that "the 
President is pleased to assign to you the command of the Northwestern 
Army which, in addition to the regular troops and rangers in that 
(]uarter, will consist of the volunteers and militia of Kentucky, Ohio, 
and three thousand from X'irginia and Pennsylvania, making your 
whole force ten thousand men. . . Colonel Buford, deputv com- 
missioner at Lexington, is furnished with funds, and is subject to your 
orders. . . Vou will command such means as may be practicable. 
Exercise your own discretion, and act in all cases according to your 
own judgment." . . Thus General Harrison was invested with all the 
powers necessary or desired for the proi)osed Board of War, wliili 
immediately subject to the President. 

General Winchester wrote from Fort Wayne 2'2nd September to 
Governor Meigs that "I rejoice at the prospect of regaining lost terri- 
tory . . and with ho]ie to winter in Detroit or its vicinity. 
You will please furnish two regiments of soldiers to join me at the foot 
of the lowest Maumec Rapids about the l()th or 15th of October, well 
clothed for a fall camjiaign. Arms and ammunition can lie drawn 
from Newport, Kentucky. It is extremelv desirous to me that no time 
be lost in supplying this requisition. The cold season is fast ap- 
proaching, and the stain on the American character by the surrender of 
Detroit not yet wiped away. If \^ou can furnish one regiment to rendez- 
vous at Piqua, and proceed to open and improve the road, by cause- 
ways, etc., to Defiance, it would greatly facilitate the transportation of 
supplies to this army, w^hich is imperativeh' requisite to its welfare. 
This latter regiment might then return or proceed on after the army as 
circumstances should dictate." . . The soldiers forming his advance 
army, about two thousand in number each carrying six days' provisions, 
were started down the north bank of the Maumee River, retracing the 
route of General Anthony Wayne eighteen years before, after issuing 
the following carefully prepared Order of March: 

Camp Head of the Maumee, 22nd September, 1812. 
The front guard in three lines, two deep in the road, and in Aborigine files on the 
flanks at distances of fifty and one hundred yards, as the ground will admit. .\ fatigue 



286 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

party to consist of one captain, one ensign, two sergeants, and two corporals, with fifty 
men, will follow the front guard for the purpose of opening the road. The remainder of 
the infantry to march on the flanks in the following order ; Colonels Wells and Allen's 
regiments on the right, and Lewis and Scott's on the left. The general and brigade 
baggage, commissaries' and quartermasters' stores, immediately in the rear of the fatigue 
party. The cavalry in the following order ; Captain Garrard and twenty of his men 
to precede the guard in front, and ecjually divided at the head of each line ; a lieutenant 
and eighteen men in the rear of the whole army and baggage; the remainder of the 
cavalry equally divided on the flanks or the flank lines. The regimental baggage 
wagons will fall according to the respective ranks of their commanding officers. 

The officers commanding corps previous to their marching will examine carefully 
the arms and ammunition of their respective corps, and see that they are in good order. 
They will also be particularly careful that the men do not waste their cartridges. No 
loaded muskets are to be put in the wagons. One half of the fatigue party is to work at 
one time, and the others will carry their arms. 

The wagon master will attend to loading the wagons, and see that the various 
articles are put in in good order, and that each wagon and team carry a reasonable load. 
The hour of march will be !) o'clock this morning. The officer of the day is charged 
with this order. 

The line of battle will be the same as that of General Harrison in his last march to 
Fort 'Wayne. J. Winchester, Brig. Gen. Commanding. 

These precautions were well taken as companies of Aborigines 
were several times seen. A volunteer company of spies organized 
under Captain Ballard and Lieutenant Harrison Munday of the rifle 
regiment and Ensign Leggett of the 17th U. S. Infantry, marched in 
advance to reconnoiter the country. Ensign Leggett obtained permis- 
sion the 25th September to go forward with four men of the Woodford, 
Kentuckx' company', as far as the ruins of Fort Defiance. While pre- 
paring their evening meal by the way, a Frenchman and eight savages 
surprised, assailed, and put them to death. The next day Captain 
Ballard's company discovered their bodies, and savages near who en- 
deavored to draw the Americans into ambush, but they returned safely 
to the armv. Lieutenant Munday with other spies soon discovered the 
same enem\' and charged against them; but discovering their superior 
number while they were running to ambush, he hastily turned and re- 
treated. Scouts Hickman and Riddle on the 26th crossed to the south 
side of the Maumee River and passed to the Auglaise which they also 
crossed and went thence to the Mauiuee about two miles below De- 
fiance, thence, crossing to the north outer bank, they returned to the 
army having encircled an invading army without discovering any of its 
parts. Captain Ballard with his scouts, and forty of Captain Garrard's 
dragoons, were ordered to bury their dead comrades and, when nearing 
the Tiffin River on the 27th September, they discovered and charged 
an ambuscade of the same savages lingering near the bodies the day 
liefore, who now fled beyond pursuit. They were the advance line of 
the arniv marching against Fort Wayne, composed of two hundred 



AN INVADING ARMY OF BRITISH AND SAVAGES. 287 

Hritisli Riuuhir troo])s under Major Muir, and one tliousand or more 
Aborigines under the notorious Colonel Matthew Hiliott. A report 
received at l'i(|ua that tliis armv was about to start from Maiden, de- 
cided General Harrison to hasten to the jirotection of Fort Wavne. 




WINCHESTEU FOKU OF TlIK MAUMEE 

At the low place just beyond the Fishinw Lodne on the Left. Looking west up the river, in 
the north central part of Section 30, Defiance Township, Ohio, 31st October, 19(>2. 



They brought four cannon and other heavy equipment by boatsjas far 
as the ruins of Fort Defiance, and thence they continued up the south 
bank of the Maumee on foot. They had advanced about twelve miles 
above Defiance when their spies captured, and took before Major 
Muir, Sergeant M'Coy one of General Winchester's scouts who exager- 
ated the strength of the American Army, and reported that it was soon 
to be reinforced by like numbers coming down the Auglaise River 
which would cut off the chance of the British retreat. This report 
agreeing quite well with that of his own spies alarmed Major Muir who 
ordered a retreat to Defiance where his boats were prepared for hasty 
return down the Maumee. Desiring to form an ambuscade for General 
Winchester's army at the ford across the Tiffin, he attempted to gather 
his forces for that purpose on the 2Hth but found that his Aborigine 
allies had largely deserted. The report of Sergeant M'Coy, the retreat 
to Defiance, the preparation of the boats, and the successful charge of 
Captain Ballard the 2Tth, were enough for them. Fresh reports of the 



288 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

advance of the American Army decided Muir and Elliott to hastih' 
retreat; and to facilitate the speed of their boats they threw into the 
river one cannon, at least, with part of their heavy ammunition. These 
were thrown into deep water toward the north shore about one-half 
mile below Fort Defiance point, nearly opposite the mouth of Shawnee 
Glen: and they were removed from the water and used by the advanc- 
ing Americans. 

General Winchester advanced cautiously and, fearing that the 
enemy would o])iiose his crossing Tiflin River, he crossed to the south 
side of the Maumcf four and a hall miles above the Tiflin and about 
six miles by river al)ove Defiance. Here he found the trail of the re- 
treating army, showing signs of artillery. Four mounted squads of 
soldiers were disi>atched, one to notify General Harrison of the enemy 
and that the army was short of food, and the others to determine the 
whereabouts of the enemy. These squads soon reported that the Brit- 
ish had retreated many miles down the Maumee, leaving some Abo- 
rigines on horses to watch the movements of the Americans. General 
Winchester advanced and September 30th fortified an encampment 
(Number 1 see map ante jiage 191) on the high south bank of the 
Maumee opposite the mouth of the Tiffin River. The bushes had grown 
so thick and high since General Wayne's clearing here in 1794 that it 
reijuired much labor to clear the desired ground across to the Auglaise 
River and to Fort Defiance point. The soldiers had been on short 
rations and, as the work of clearing began, they joyfully hailed the 
return of Captain Garrard's dragoons which had been sent a day or two 
before to hasten supplies from Colonel Jennings. 

General Harrison received his commission of appointment to suc- 
ceed General Winchester Septemlier 24th while at Piqua, whereupon 
he renewed his efforts to hasten forward troops and supplies. On the 
.'JOth General Winchester's dispatch regarding the enemy was received; 
and a few minutes afterward a letter was received from Governor Meigs 
also informing him of the strong British forces opposing General Win- 
chester. There were at this time about three thousand troops at Fort 
Barliee embracing the cavalry companies of Captains Bacon, Clark and 
Roper, and the volunteers gathered by Major Richard M. Johnson who 
had been chosen Colonel of these combined forces; also the Ohio 
cavalry under Colonel James Findlay. These cavalry commands had 
been organized into a brigade under the general command of Brig- 
adier General Edward W. Tupper 'a gentleman about fifty years of age 
of a respectable soldierly appearance' who had gathered a thousand 
men for the war. General Harrison at once set this army in motion 
for Defiance with three days rations. Notwithstanding a severe rain 
they arrived at Fort Jennings the first night and there laid in the cold 



HARRISON RESTORES ORDER AT DEFIANCE. 289 

withoiu tints till 1 ;iil\- iiiDiniiis; on h;istil\ arranjic-d brush Irom the 
beech trees ustcl in biiildinK tlu- tort. Intilliuenct- was here received 
that th( ( nimy had retreated vvitliout attack. 

Colnml Jiarbee's rejjinuiit was ordircd liack to l'"ort Barbcc, and 
Cohiml I'oa^iue was ordrn tl to clear a road to Defiance. After openinsj 
this road he was ordired to build a fort at the Ottawa town by the 
Au^laise River about twelve miles northward from Fort l-iarbee. This 
fortification Colonel Poaj^ue named Fort Amanda in honor of his wife.* 

General Harrison with the cavalry continued down the Au^Jlaise, 
the latter encampinji for the ni^ht at Three Mile Creek (see map ante 
page 191) while the General with his kh^i"' rode into Winchester's en- 
campment by the Maumee early in the evenint,^ of October 2nd. Here 
he found a sad stati- of affairs. The food sujiplies had become very 
short, and the men wire suffering from insufficient clothing and sick- 
ness. They had not been favoral)ly imjiressed by their General ; one 
regiment in particular had become fully discouraged: had murmured, 
and the men were talking about returning to their homes which -they 
would ]>robabl\' have done but for the efforts of Major Hardin and 
Colonel .\llen. The ne,\t morning the cavalry marched l)y the camp 
and came to a ]iarade dress. A- special call to Winchester's troops 
l>romptly brought into ranks every man who was able for duty. They 
were paraded to the best advantage, and there was read to them the 

following General Order: 

Camp at Defiance, October 3, 1812. 

I have the honor of anno\incing to this army the arrival of General Harrison who is 
duly authorized by the executive of the Federal Government to take command of the 
Northwestern Army. This officer is enjoying the implicit confidence of the States from 
whose citizens this army is and will be collected and, possessing himself great military 
skill and reputation, the General is confident in the belief that his presence in the army, 
in the character ot its chief, will be hailed with unusual approbation. 

J. Winchester. Brig. Gen. U. S. .\rmy. 

The siddiers greeti'd General Harrison with great warmth: and he 
addressed them as a kind fathir would talk to his children (Athtrton ). 
He told them of expected bountiful sujiiilies. He gave those who 



* The site of Fort .-Vinanda is on the left hank of the Auglaise River in the present .\uclaise County. 
Ohio, near its north line. Before the organization of .^uelaise it was in Allen County. This was also 
the site, or near the site, of General Wayne's Fort at the Head of the Auglaise— See ante paces 218, 227. 
There is now nothing to mark the place but remains of the water well, luxuriant veRetation, and prave 
stones recently erected by the I'liited States Government in the carrison cemetery where seventy-five 
soldiers were buried. The fort enclosure was quadrangular in form with the usual blockhouse at each 
corner, the one at the southeast being the largest and used as olficers' quarters. There was a well and 
a large storehouse in ttie center of ttie enclosure. This fort was an important station for rest and for 
the storing of supplies to be boated down the Auglaise River at proper stages of water. The boats for 
this purpose were built here, and this work, and the transportation of the supplies from Fort Loramie, 
required a good force of men. The la^t half of March, 1813, Colonel Miller arrived here from Chilli- 
cothe with one hundred and fifty men to build boats. The storehouse and blockhouses were used in 
after years by families, for religious and other meetings, and as the first postoffice. See J. D. Simkins* 
Early History of Auglaise County. 



290 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

desired it liberty to return home; but he could not refrain from allud- 
ing to the mortification which he anticipated they would experience 
from the reception they would meet from the old and the youn;^, 
who had applauded them on their march for the scene of war, as 
their gallant neighbors (M'Afee). The food brought with the visitors 
gave the hungry soldiers a better breakfast than they were accus- 
tomed to, which, with the parading and fraternizing of the cavalry, 
renewed the soldierly spirit; and the fact that General Harrison 
had been appointed chief in command went yet further to change 
the resolves of the disaffected ones and to bring about a settled state 
of feeling among all the men to remain and to endure all hardships. 

New plans were entered upon. They found General Wayne's 
Fort Defiance in ruins: and had it remained in good condition its size 
would have been inadequate for tlu' demands at this time. The area 
embraced within the palisades of Fort Defiance was about ten thous- 
and square feet, or about oni- ([uarter acre. General Harrison selected 
the site and drew the plan for a new fort to embrace over twelve times 
the ground space of Fort Defiance. A fatigue force of two hundred 
and fifty men was detailed under Major Joseph Robb with axes to cut 
timber for the buildings and palisades, and the work progressed as fast 
as the weakened condition of the men and the weather admitted. 

A new encampment, Number Two, was established one mile south- 
east of Number One. It was located on the high left bank of the 
Auglaise River about one mile and a half above its mouth, by river, 
and occupied the ground north of Coe Run that is now the north part 
of Riverside Cemetery of the City of Defiance. A line of trees was 
felled across the neck of land between Encampments Numbers One 
and Two, to serve as an abatis and breastworks for the army's outpost 
guarding the entire peninsula between the Maumee and Auglaise 
Rivers — see map page 191. General Harrison, accompanied by Col- 
onel Richard M. Johnson and his original battalion including Ward's 
and Ellison's companies, returned to Fort Barbee where these troops 
were honorably discharged October 7th, their term of enlistment hav- 
ing exi)ired. 

The feelings of General Winchester upon being superseded in 
command, have not been recorded. General Harrison treated him 
with great consideration and assigned him to the command of the Left 
Wing of the Northwestern Army, to include the United States troops 
and six regiments of Ohio and Kentucky militia. These troops were 
to superintend the trans])ortation of supplies to the new fort in readi- 
ness for the advance movement ; and they were instructed to possess 
the corn and other crops as soon as possible that had been abandoned 
by settlers along the lower Maumee. 



FORT WINCHESTER NAMED. OTHER FORTS. 



29/ 



Tin- Rinlit Will}; ol llu- Northwtstfrn Army was lo \>v composed 
ot till- lirii^acks Irom V'irtjinia and Pi-nnsylvania, and one hrinade from 
southeastern Ohio. This Win;,' was to protn-d (h)wn the Sandusky 
Rivrr. Duriii!;- the latter part of thr vcar |M|:i thi- soldii-rs of the 




Looking north of west up the Auglaisc River 15 April. 1901. from the foot of Wayne Street. De- 
fiance. Ohio. The distant hiyli bank shows the site of General Winchester's Encampment Number 
Two. and the Standpipe of the City Water Works toward the right marks the site of his Encampment 
Nninber One on bank of the Manmee River. See Map ante page 191, 



Right Wins built Fort Feree at Upper Sandusky; Fort Ball at the 
present Tiffin: and Fort Stephenson at Lower Sandusky, now Fremont, 
Ohio. General Flipper's command was styled the Center of thi' 
Northwestern Army, and was to move- along' Hull's Road by Forts 
M'Arthur, Necessity, and Findlay. 

As further evidence of the desire to respect and honor the com- 
mander of the Left Wing, the new fort at Defiance was duly christened 
Fort Winchester. This Fort was completed by the soldiers working 
with short and often unwholesome rations, thinly clad, and with much 
suffering from inclement weather; but it was happily completed and 
fulfilled its mission during the war as an important stronghold for the "^ 
defense of the territory of the upper rivers, as a rendezvous for troops 
and, later, for the storing of supplies to be boated down the Maumee 
River as wanted by the advancing troops. For some length of time it 
was the only obstruction against the incursions of the British and Abo- 
rigines into Northwestern Ohio. 



292 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Fort Winchester was styled a beautiful fort i)v William Atherton 
who was present during its construction. "■ It was built along the high 
and precipitous west bank of the Auglaise River, a line of apple trees 
planted by the early French alone intervening. IJeginning about 
eighty yards south of the ruins of Fort Defiance, near the present First 
Street of the City of Defiance, Ohio, Fort Winchester extended south- 
ward to, or south of. Third Street a distance of over six hundred feet, 
and including the highest part of the natural terrace thereabout. Its 
east line was in or near Washington Street. It was in the form of a 
parallelogram, and t'Xtended in width to about Jefferson Street, its 
palisades including three acres or more of land. There was a strong 
two-story blockhouse at each of its four corners, a large gate midway 
of each side and end with a sentinel house above each one, and all 
were connected bv a strong palisade of logs set on end deep into the 
ground snugly matched together and extending twelve to fifteen feet 
above ground, all jiointed at the upjier ends. .V cellar was excavated 
under the blockhouse at the northeast corner, and from it a passage 
way under ground was made to the rock-bed of the Auglaise River 
and was there protected b\- logs so that abundance of water could 
be obtained from the river under protection from the enemy. The 
only ditches made were for drainage. 

While at Defiance General Harrison suggested to General Win- 
chester that two regiments of infantry be sent southward to be near the 
base of food and clothing suiiplies: and that General Tuiijier with all 
the cavalry, nine hundred and sixty in number, be sent down the Mau- 
mee beyond the lowest rapids to disperse any of the enemy who could 
be found, thus saving the crojis there abandoned bv the American set- 
tlers, and to return to Fort Barbee by way of the Ottawa (Tawa) towns 
by the Blanchard River. These suggested orders were not executed, 
the last one for several reasons principal among which were, damaged 
powder and scarcity of food which made it impossible to take adequate 
supplies for an expedition that might last a week or ten days; also lurk- 
ing savages who were a constant and harassing menace at Fort Win- 
chester; the dissatisfaction of some of the Kentucky troops with the 
command of General Tupper of the Ohio Militia; a misunderstanding 
between Generals Winchester and Tupper and the unfriendly treatment 
of the latter by the former; the weakening of Tupper's force by the 
withdrawal of Kentucky troops and Simrall's dragoons: and the dis- 
missal of Tupper from the command of the expedition by Winchester 
who gave it to Colonel Allen of the regulars, which caused the Ohio 
troops to recross the Auglaise and positively refuse to march under any 



*- Narrative of the Sufferings and Defeat of the North- Western Army by William Atherton, 
Frankfort. Kentucky, 1H43, 



QUARREL AMONG OFFICERS AND TROOPS. 



293 



other than thiir own chosen leader.* The quarrel was between the reg- 
ular and volunteer soldiers as well as their officers; and it defeated the 
proposed exp<(litii)n <)l tin Lilt Winu of the Army, which, Tupi>er 




FORT WINCHESTER 

Willi Ruins of Fort Defiance at the junction of the Aui;laise River on the ^i^:ht with the Mauinee 
beyond. From personal interviews with persons who saw it, from researches, and from surveys, by 
Charles E. Slocum. Fort Winchester was cnnipleted liSlh October. 1813, and was abandoned by United 
States troops in the spriny of 181.5. 



* See General Tupper's report to General Harrison under date of I'rbana October 12, IH13, given in 
full in Official Letters of the Military and Naval Officers of the United States During the War with Great 
Britain in the years 1812-13-14 and 1815. etc.. collected and arranged by John Brannan, WashinKton, 182:1. 
Also History of the late War in the Western Country by Robert B. M'Afee, paees 148,149; Urackenridge. 
pane 59; Perkins, paee 97; Lossinn, page 3AI. 



294 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

wrote, was at one time capable of tearing the British flag from the walls 
of Detroit. The time of enlistment of about three hundred mounted 
riflemen having ex]iired, they were discharged, and they returned to 
their homes. Instead of leading his command down the Maumee River 
and then to St. Marys, as he was ordered to do, General Tupper went 
direct to Fort M'Arthur by way of the Ottawa towns. General Win- 
chester preferred charges of insubordination against him, and General 
Harrison ordered his arrest; but at this time he was on an expedition 
to the lower Maumee and his trial did not occur until the next year after 
the defeat of Winchester's army at the River Raisin when the witnesses 
were captives with the British: and he was acquitted. 

Ambuscades by the savages continued about Fort Winchester. Five 
soldiers who had strayed somewhat from their duty to gather wild plums 
were killed and scalped. Soldiers in Encam])ment Nuinber Two were 
also fired u]ion from across the river, and one was killed. This caused 
an alarm call to arms, but the enemy escaped punishment. Scouting 
parties met the savages and suffered wounds from them, resulting in 
an occasional death. Comparative quiet, however, gradual!}' pervaded 
the encampment. 

Some breaches of discipline were noted, and their punishment re- 
lieved the monotony of camp life. On the 8th October Frederick Jacol)v, 
a young man, was found asleep while posted as guard. He was sen- 
tenced by court martial to be shot. A platoon was ordered to take pla- 
ces before the paraded army and twenty paces from the prisoner who, 
blindfolded, was on his knees preparing for the order to the soldiers to 
fire. A great stillness pervaded the army. Just as the suspense was at 
its height a courier arrived with an order from General Winchester 
saving his life by changing the sentence (Atherton). This sentence and 
scene produced a profound effect upon the soldiers. It was their first real 
view of the sternness of military discipline : and they recognized its neces- 
sity and justness while in the country of the stealthy and savage enemy. 
Later, as the savages became less numerous, hunting for wild game was 
permitted, and soon all game was killed, not even a squirrel could be 
found within reasonable distance of the encampment for the soldiers to 
hunt. 

While on his way from Defiance, General Harrison was informed 
by express from Fort Wayne that the savages were again besieging that 
fort. He proceeded to Fort Barbee where he found Colonel Allen Trim- 
ble with five hundred Ohio cavalry. This force he immediately ordered 
to the relief of Fort Wayne, with orders to proceed thence against the 
town of the Pottawotomi chief White Pigeon by the River St. Joseph 
of Lake Michigan. These troops expected to join General Tupper's 
command and proceed against Detroit. However, they obe3'ed orders 



FORT WINCHESTER COMPLETED. CHANGE OF CAMP. 295 

to march to Fort \V;i\nc, wlience the savajjes fled as they ap- 
jiroachid. Ili-n ;ilM)ut liali ot the soldiers refused to t^o further north- 
west. Colonel 'rrinililf, however, obeyed the orders of his superior 
officer with those who would accompany him. They destroyed two vil- 
lages of the savages, hut on tin Ir approach a treachi-rous guide gave 
alarm to the denizens in tinu' for tlu-m to escape punishment. 

Some sachems of the Miamis, whose warriors had gone to the British, 
were brought before General Harrison by messengers, for them to show 
their willingness to live ])eaceal)ly on the benefactions of the United 
States. Five of their number were to be sent to Piqua as hostages for 
the good behavior of the others — but they did not come according to 
promise. 

I'-flrt Winchester was comi)leted the hlth October, lf<12. The con- 
dition of affairs with General Winchester at this date is set forth in his 
letter to Governor Meigs, viz: 

Captain Wood, commanding a small party of spies, came into camp yester- 
day and reports that he was detached from Urbana to visit the [foot of tlie Maumee] 
Rapids, etc. ; that he fell in with other spies who had just returned from that place, and 
had obtained all the information that he possit>ly could. I therefore have directed him 
to return and report, deeming it unnecessary that he should proceed, as the information 
required had been obtained, and being desirous too, to communicate to your excellency 
that this army could immediately march and take possession of the Kapids if supplies of 
provisions, etc., could certainly reach us in a few days after our arrival. Many days 
provisions could not be carried with us, because they are not here. Neither have we 
the means of transportation ; but it is important that the corn at that place should be 
saved if it could be done. 

M this place [Defiance] a picketed post with four block houses, two storehouses and 
a house for the sick, will be finished this day. Then I shall turn my attention to build- 
ing pirogues for the purpose of transporting heavy baggage and provisions down the 
river, and anxiously wait your answer with relation to supplies. I shall remain in 
readiness to march as soon as it is received. If General Harrison is at Urbana, you will 
communicate the contents of this letter to him. If I knew where he could be found. I 
would address a letter to him on the subject. . 

Soon after the completion of Fort Winchester, and the detach nunt 
of a garrison for its defense, the army moved to the present central 
part of Land Section Nineteen in Richland Township on the north 
side of the Maumee River one mile and a half below the mouth of the 
Auglaise. This site is on the lower land, and protected from the north 
and west winds, and it is designated b}- the letter H on the map ante 
page 191. With continued short rations, delay in the receipt of winter 
clothing and the increasing severity of the weather, the sufferings and 
sickness of the soldiers were increasing, and this change of encamp- 
ment was made for sanitary reasons and that the men might be nearer 
timber for fuel. The ground of this Camp H proving too wet, the 
army soon occupied a dryer place two miles further down the Mauriiee, 



296 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



in the north part of Section Twenty-one. This Camp J soon showing 
great exposure to the wind yet another site, the historic Camp Number 
Three, was chosen. Its site is nearly two miles below Camp J, in the 
present Land Sections Twenty-two and Twenty-three, Richland Town- 





J 


''"-■-'•'r-m^i*'^/^^'^-^ ■ "^-ii'-:' '»^ -^- ■ ■* : ' V;LiV*%J| 


„. f AjtwJP^-''** 44.' 


J 

V 




- 



SITE OF ENCAMPMENT NUMBER THREE 

of General Winchester's Army from last of October until 30th December, 1S12. Looking south- 
west 27 November, 1903, from the N. W. corner of Land Section 23, Richland Township, Defiance County, 
Ohio. Graves of Pioneer settlers from 1822 in foreground. The Maumee River in distance, flowing from 
right to left. The Cemetery of the Encampment is supposed to be near the river, on the left. 



ship. Defiance County, Ohio. This site proved favorable, with abund- 
ance of good firewood, and here the army remained about eight weeks. 
At these several encampments of General Winchester's army there 
was as much suffering as an army could endure, it culminating at 
Camp Number Three. Hunger impelled many breaches of discipline. 
Soldiers wandered from camp, against orders, in search of game and 
fruit. One man started to desert. He was caught and sentenced to 
ride the wooden horse before the whole army.' This penalty consisted 
in his being placed astride a bent sa])ling and being there subjected to 
a series of tossings and joltings to the great amusement of the soldiers 
who entered with zest into everything affording diversion from their 
sufferings. We get other glimpses of the life and experiences of Fort 
Winchester and its neighboring Encampment Number Three. Special 
orders signed J. Winchester, Brig. Gen'l, and dated Camp Winchester 
read that "James Givins, private in Captain Croghan's Comj^any, 
charged with sitting down near his post, apparently asleep with his 
gun out of his hands, last night, October 25th, 1812, found guilty and 
sentenced to receive ten cobs on his bare posterior, well laid on with a 



SUFFERINGS AT ENCAMPMENT NUMBER THREE. 297 

paddle four inches wide and one-hail an incii thick i.oied lull ol holes. 
Thomas Clark, charned with altering his uniform without leave, sen- 
tenced to a reprimand on parade." 

Sickness increased. The rations were ronsianlh shnrl. h.iim r.-- 




SlTi; ol- KNt:AMPMKNT NUMBER THKhK 
Of General Winchesters Army. Looking norlheast 1.5 May, 1901, from ricln bank of Mauniee River, 
middle of Section 23, Richland Township, Deliance County, Ohio. The craves of the soldiers buried 
here are supposed to be near the distant bank of the river. 

ceived in small ipiantities and cimsistinR some days only of beef, and 
asain only of flour, and of some hickory nuts gathered near the camp. 
The heef was of poor quality, the cattle beintt o;reatly reduced from 
want of food and the cold like the soldiers.* Complaints wire also 
made of the want of salt, to the liberal use of which the Kentuckian.s 
had been habituated at their homes. To cheer the disconragid and 
languishini; army by renewing;- hoi")e there were issued Novt_'mlur 1st, 
isl-J, from Fort Winchester the following General Orders: 

With great pleasure the General announces to the army the prospect of an early 
supply of winter clothing, amongst which are the following articles shipped from Phila- 
delphia on the 9th September last ; 10,000 pairs of shoes, ."lOOO blankets, .iOOO round 

* When reduced to necessity, the skins of animals were eaten even after being dried. They were 
cut into pieces, boiled and the soup eaten : and then the pieces were roasted so fully that they could be 
eaten. 



298 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

jackets. .lOOO pairs pantaloons, woolen cloth to be made up, besides the underclothing for 
Colonel Well's regiment, 100 watch coats, .5000 blankets and 10000 yards of flannel, 
10000 pairs wool socks, 10000 wool hose. 

This bountiful supply evinces the constant attention of the government to the com- 
forts of its armies although the immense distance this wing hath been detached into the 
wilderness has prevented its receiving those comforts in due season, owing to causes not 
within the control of human foresight, yet a few days and the General consoles himself 
with the idea of seeing those whom he has the honor to command clad in warm woolen 
capable of resisting the northern blasts of Canada, either from the bellows of Boreas or 
the muzzles of British cannon. 

These promised supplies of clothing came not to Fort Winchester 
nor to its neighboring Encampment Number Three. Sickness found 
the weakened and shivering soldiers an easy prey. Typhoid fever pre- 
vailed. The list of those sick increased to over three hundred, with 
often three or four deaths a day. So many funereal rites had very de- 
pressing effects. Everything militated against proper camp sanitation ; 
and probably the efforts to maintain a good sanitary regimen were not 
so thorough as those in later times; certainly the ways and means were 
not so ample as now. On account of their hurried march to the relief 
of Fort Wayne much of the soldiers' clothing w^ left at Piqua, and 
manv of the men were yet wearing the linen hunting coats in which they 
started from their homes in Kentucky the 12th August; and these were 
in rags from natural wear and from the brush and timber with which 
they had been obliged to contend. Many were so entirely destitute of 
shoes and other clothing that they must have frozen had they been 
obliged to go much distance from their campfires.* In fact the sufferings 
of the soldiers in the fall and winter of 1812 at Fort Winchester and its 
Encampments, are altogether the saddest that have been experienced 
in the Maumee River Basin ; and these sufferings were probably the 
greatest of their kind that American soldiers have endured. 

General Harrison, at his headquarters in Franklinton now Colum- 
bus, kept informed regarding the condition of affairs and put forth great 
efforts to gather supplies and men and to advance them toward Detroit. 
The 13th October he wrote to the Secretary of War that 'I ain fully 
sensible of the responsibility invested in me. I accepted it with full 
confidence of being able to effect the wishes of the President, or to show 
unequivocallj' their impracticability. If the fall should be very dry, I 
will take Detroit before the winter sets in ; but if we have much rain, it 
will be necessary to wait at the Rapids until the Miami of the Lake 
[Maumee] is sufificiently frozen over to bear the army and its baggage.' 
The 22nd October he again wrote, 'I am not able to fix any period for 
the advance of the troops to Detroit. It is pretty evident that it cannot 



* Captain Robert B. M'Afee and William Atherton, who were with General Winchester's army, 
recount in their books many other details of the sufferinKS here of this unfortunate army. 



NEW ROADS AND EFFORTS FOR ADVANCE OF ARMY. 299 

be done- upon proper principU-s until tlio frost shall become so severe 
as to enabii- us to use the rivers ami tin- margin of the lake for trans- 
portation of the bajjgage and artilh r\ upon the ice. To get them for- 
ward through a swampy wilderness of near two hundn d miles, in wag- 
ons or on ])ackhorses which are to carry their own provisions, is 
al)S()lulil\ iniiiossiliK-. . . My present |)lan is to occupy Upper San- 
dusky, and accunnilat. at that place as much provision and forage as 
possible, to be taken Imni thence upon sleds to the River Raisin. \\. 
Deliance, Fort Jennings, and St. Marv, boats and sleds are i)ri paring 
to takr advantage of a rise of water or a fall of snow. 

Altci ]>ersonal examination of diverse reports (jeneral Harrison 
ordeieil, the latt< r ii.irt of October, General Reazin Beall's command of 
five hundred men at Mansfield to join General Elijah Wadsworth's com- 
mand of eight hundred which was near the mouth of the Huron River, 
Ohio, and General Simon t'erkins was given chief command of these 
and other soldiers composing the Right Wing of the Northwestern 
Arnn. This Wing was directed to clear and make a road from Fort 
Stephenson to the loot of the lowest Maumee Rapids. 

Captain Hinkston with a small detachment was sent by General 
Tuijper from F"ort M'Arthur, to reconnoiter at these Rapids. He soon 
returnid with a i)risoner, one Captain Clarke, who was captured a short 
distance from his command of about seventy-five British regulars 
at the foot of the Rajiids where they had come in boats for corn there 
jilanted l)\ Americans. They also reported a force of three to four 
hundred Aborigines at the Rapids. General Tupper reported to Gov- 
ernor Meigs November Uth that lie had decided to capture these British 
or drive them from the Rapids and save the corn. He wrote . . 'A 
moment is not to be lost. We shall be at the Rapids in three days. 1 
have also sent an express to General Winchester, advising him of the 
situation of the enemy, and of our march; but as we can reach the 
Rapids one dav sooner than General Winchester waiting for my express, 
I could not think of losing one day, and thereby suffer the enemy to 
esca]ie with the forage.' He detailed the condition of the forces and 
the operations at Maiden the l^ritish headquarters, now Amherstburg, 
Canada, and to some extent the condition at Detroit, as obtained from 
Captain Clarke adding 'tin \- [the British at Maiden] are apprised of 
General Winchester's force, but understand he is building a fort at 
Defiance and is to remain there during the winter. They have no 
knowledge of any other ]ireiiarations making in the State of Ohio.' . 

General Tupper proceeded on his march November 10th, along 
the roadway cut by General Hull's army, with six hundred and fifty 
men, and a light six-pounder cannon which they were obliged to leave 
at one of the forts along the way on account of the mud. W'lun with- 



500 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

in a few miles of the toot of the Rapids his scouts informed him that the 
enemv was still there. He halted his soldiers until evening and then 
passed down the Maumee to a ford about two miles above the enemy's 
camp. Here scouts again rejjorted that the enemy was closely en- 
camped and was singing and dancing. General Tui)per decided to 
cross the river and make ready to attack at daybreak. Leading the 
van of the first section through the cold, swift current which was waist 
deep to his men in places, they crossed in safety ; but the second sec- 
tion was not so fortunate, some men being carried down by the cur- 
rent, losing their guns, and being themselves rescued by horses with 
difficultv. The night was passing, the soldiers were fatigued and 
cold, and those who had crossed were ordered back to the main force 
on the s )uth b;uik wlu-re all hastily sought a camp in the woods near-by. 
Early the next morning messengers were dispatched to General Win- 
chester for food and reinforcements. A few scouts were sent down 
the river opposite the enemy's encampment desiring them to l)e 
Ijursued, but the enemy could not be decoyed.''' General Tupper then 
moved his entire force and displayed it to the enemy, whereupon the 
squaws ran to the woods, the British ran to their boats and escaped, 
and the Aborigines, more brave than their allies, paraded and fired 
across the river at the troops with muskets and a four-pounder cannon, 
but without doing an\- damage. The Americans feinted a retreat to 
draw the savages across the river, but only a few mounted on horses 
were seen to pass up the river, the main body remaining near their 
camp. Thinking themselves secure from attack many of the soldiers, 
contrary to orders, began to gather corn in a near-by field. Others, 
while endeavoring to catch some hogs that had come in sight, were 
impetuously attacked by the Aborigine horsemen, and four of their 
number were killed. The soldiers rallied and repulsed the horse- 
men, when they were met by the main body of Aborigines led by 
the noted Chief Split-Log, who had crossed the river above. A 
sharp engagement ensued with Bentley's battalion and the enemy was 
soon driven away, but not without some loss to the Americans. The 
food brought with them was nearly gone. They could have subsisted 
on the corn and other food growing thereabouts that had been planted 
and early cared for by the American settlers who had been driven away 
by the savages; but they decided to return to Fort M'Arthur, and the 
march was begun that evening 'leaving accidentally in the camj) a sick 
soldier who was unable to march and who fell a prey to the tomahawk 
and scalping knife' — M'Afee page 171. 

When General Tupper's express arrived at Fort Winchester, a 



■ It is iirobable that the enemy's encampment was in the vicinity of the former Hritish Fort Miami. 



UNNECESSARY AND SEVERE MARCH. SCOUTS. 501 

detachmint of ihnc luiiula'd and L-inlUy of the most able men* was at 
once e(|uii)|i( il at luicampment Number Three to aid Tup]>er's com- 
tiiaiul at tlie foot of the Rapids as desired, notwithstanding the jjreat 
amount of sickness prevailing, and the want of food and ciothinji. 
This detachment started down the north bank ol the Maumee in the 
morninti of November ir)th ; and lati r in the day General Tupi)er's 
second dis]-)atch from the Rapids uruiii^ re-inforcement and food, 
arrived at Fort Winchestt-r Ironi alon>; the south side of the rivi'r. 
The inlorniation in this disiiatch was at once hastened to the marching 
column, which laboriously forced its way forward until nine o'clock the 
night of the second day win n fatigue necessitated a halt. 

Colonel William Lewis, who was in command, sent Ensign (after- 
wards Colonel ) Charles S. Todd with a few of the hardier soldiers, pre- 
ceded by five guides, forward to reconnoiter. The\- crossed the Maumee, 
entered the deserted cam]) of General Tapper's command aliout mid- 
night, found the deserted American dead and scalped, but found no 
word of explanation — the road only showing evidence of the hasty re- 
treat. These scouts returned to Colonel Lewis who decided to return 
to Encamjiment Number Three. They had not struck fire from fear 
of discovering the detachment to the enemy's scouts, and they were 
obliged 'to keep huddled and stirring to keep from freezing. Their 
weakened condition before starting on this forced march, the fatigue 
consequent upon it, the keenness of the cold in their thinly clad condi- 
tion, their loss of sleej) and continued vigils, being prepared every 
^moment for an attack of the savages, all caused acute and intense 
physical suffering which was not at all alleviated by thoughts of the 
unnecessary march and of General Tupper's thoughtlessness in not 
sending them notice of his retreat. Two days were required for many 
to get back to camp, and the second night was nearly as bad as the first 
on account of indications continuing of nearness of savages. 

There were employed and fed by the armies several scouts. Aborig- 
ine as well as American. Captain (John) Logan with a small party of 
his tribe of Shawnees, including 'Captain John' and 'Bright Horn' 
were sent by General Harrison to reconnoiter down the Maumee. They 
soon came to Winchester's Camp Number Three and reported that 
thev had been pursued so closelv hv overpowering numbers of the 
enemy that they escaped with difficulty. Their sincerity being 
(]uestioned Captain Logan, being one of the most sensitive and trust- 
worth}' of the Aborigines, felt aggrieved that he was suspected either of 
cowardice or treachery, and he determined on another scouting exi)edi- 
tion to the Rapids, declaring at the time that something should be done 



* See the Narrative 0/ the Sufferings and Defeat of the Northwestern Arwy page 20. by William 
Atherton who was a member of Ihis detachment. 



?>0'2. THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

before his return that would convince all concerned of his bravery and 
friendship to the Government of the United States. 'Old Captain John 
and Li^jhtfoot [or Bright Horn] if 1 mistake not, accomjianied him' 
— Atherton. They started down the river November 22nd, were soon 
captured by a British officer, the eldest son of Colonel Elliott, and his 
escort of five savages including Win-e-mac who recognized Logan 
and gloried in his capture. The prisoners in due time, when about 
twentv miles below Camp Number Three, found opportunity to use 
their code of signs and attack their captors. Logan killed Win-e-mac, 
or Winnemeg a noted Pottawotami chief and enemy before mentioned, 
and the others killed Elliott and a young Ottawa chief. Logan was 
shot through the body and Bright Horn through a thigii; luit they were 
able to mount the empty saddles of the slain and escape to Camp Num- 
ber Three, where Logan died two days later from his wound notwith- 
standing careful attention of the surgeon and the soldiers as nurses. 
His loss was lamented by the whole army. A detachment of troops 
under Major Hardin bore his body to Wapakoneta the county seat of 
the present Auglaise County, where his family lived and where he was 
buried with mixed military honors and savage rites. Captain John 
carrying at the end of a long limb of a tree the scalp of the young 
Ottawa that he had slain at the time of their escape. Most of the im- 
portant information regarding the enemy, however, was obtained by an 

American 'Old Man Riddle' (Ruddle?) who would advance into 

the region of the enemy and there linger until he learned quite fully 
the particulars desired. 

The 15th November General Harrison wrote to the Secretary of 
War tiiat he thought it unwise to attempt moving beyond the Maumee 
Ra]Tids before spring on account of the insurmountable difficulties 
attending the transportation of supplies. And about the same time in 
a letter to Governor Shelby he wrote . . 'l know it will be mortifying 
to Kentucky for this armv to return without doing anything; luit it is 
better to do that than to attempt impossibilities. I wish to God the 
public mind were informed of our difficulties, and gradually prepared 
for this course. In my opinion, we should in this quarter disband all 
but those sufficient for a strong frontier guard, convoys, etc., and pre- 
pare for the next season.' . 

The latter part of November heavj- rains were experienced at Fort 
Winchester and Encamjiment Number Three and, the prospects of the 
army's advancing not being improved in any way, the soldiers were 
ordered about the first of December to build huts from saplings and 
bark for their better protection from the wet and cold, their frail tents 
being now of little worth. The supplies that were received continued 
inadetjuate, and were seldom varied. Often the army was wholly with- 



GREAT DIFFICULTIES IN TRANSPORTATION. 505 

out lood. Auaiii, tor iKvtii (i;i\s thcv had iiothinn liut i>ork, just killed, 
without salt. Kiconnoitcriuu parties kL|>t the vicinity of the camp free 
from savaRi'S, and uathi-n-d in i\er\tliinu vegetable and animal that 
could be eaten. 

The diHiculties attending transportation of supi>lits throuuh these 
'Black Swamp' regions accounted in most part for these privations and 
sufferings. The roads were had beyond description. From Fort Lor- 
amie on tlie scnilli to the Rix'er St. Mary, and tlience to Defiance at the 
north, was one continuous swamp knee deep to the packhorses and u]) 
to tile hubs of the wagons M'.Afee. Most of the time it was impos- 
sible ti> mo\e a wa^on throui^h the mud, even without a load: it would 
mire and become completely blocked. Packhorses were brought into 
use, but many horses, and their packs, were lost by the thouuhtless, 
careless, and sometimes dishonest, drivers: the depth and consistency 
of the mud: the want of food for the horses: and the wet, cold weather.* 
The food supi^lies that were brou^'ht to the army were often in spoiled 
condition. Nor were the difficulties of transjiortation b\- river less, as 
described by Captain Robert B. M'Atee, viz: 

About the first of December Major Bodfey. an enterprising oflicer wlio was quarter- 
master of the Kentucl<y troops, made an attempt to send near two hundred barrels of 
flour down the River St. Mary in pirogues to the Left Wing of the army below Defiance. 
I'revious to this time the water had rarely been high enough to venture in a voyage on 
these small streams. The flour was now shipped in fifteen or twenty pirogues and ca- 
noes, and placed under the command of Captain Jordan and Lieutenant Cardwell. with 
upwards of twenty men. The)' descended the river and arrived about a week afterward 
at Shane's Crossing [the present Kockford] upwards of one hundred miles by water [?] but 
only twenty, by land from the place where they started. The river was so narrow, crook- 
ed, full of logs, and trees overhanging the banks, that it was with great difficulty they 
could make any progress. And now in one freezing night they were completely ice- 
bound. Lieutenant Cardwell waded back through the ice and swamps to Fort Barbee 
with intelligence of their situation. Major Bodley returned with him to the flour, and 
offered the men extra wages to cut through the ice and push forwards; but having gained 
only one mile by two day's labor, the project was abandoned, and a guard left with the 
flour. .\ few days before Christmas a temporary thaw took place which enabled them 
with much difficulty and suffering to reach within a few miles of Fort Wayne, where they 
were again frozen up. They now abandoned the voyage and made sleds on which the 
men hauled the flour to the Fort [Wayne] and left it there. 

In a letter to the Secretary of War December iL'th, l^'ll'. General 
Harrison used the followint; emphatic lauguage: 

. . Obstacles are almost insuperable ; but they are opposed with unabated firm- 
ness and zeal. . . I fear that the expenses of this army will greatly exceed the calcu- 
lations of the government. The prodigious destruction of horses can only be conceived 



* Ttie only persons wtio could be procured to act as paclthorse drivers were generally ttie most 
worthless creatures in ttie community, wlio toot; care neitlier of the horses nor the goods with which they 
were entrusted- The horses of course were soon broken down, and many of the packs lost. The teams 
hired to haul were also commonly valued so high on comiuR into sfervice that the owners were willing to 



504 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

by those who have been accustomed to military operations in the wilderness during the 
winter season. . . I did not make sufficient allowance for the imbecility and inexperi- 
ence of the public agents, and the villainy of the contractors. . . If the plan of ac- 
quiring the naval superiority upon the lakes, before the attempt is made on Maiden or 
Detroit, should be adopted, I would place fifteen hundred men in cantonment at the Miami 
[Maumee] Rapids — Defiance would be better if the troops had not advanced from there — 
retain about one thousand more to be distributed in different garrisons, accumulate pro- 
visions at St. Marys, 'Tawa Town [Fort Jennings] Upper Sandusky, Cleveland, and 
Presque Isle, and employ the dragoons and mounted infantry in desultory expeditions 
against the .\borigines. The villages south of Lake Michigan might be struck with effect, 
by making a deposit of corn and provisions at Fort Wayne. I am dissappointed in the ar- 
tillery which has been sent me. There are in all twenty-eight pieces of which ten are 
sixes, and ten twelve-pounders. The former are nearly useless. I had five before, and 
if 1 had a hundred I should only take three or four with me. You will perceive by the 
return of Captain Gratiot, which is enclosed, that all the carriages for the howitzers, and 
eight out of the ten for the twelve-pounders, are unfit for use. . . 

A large number of hostile Mianiis, who had lived at the head of 
the Maumee, at Eel River, and along the Wabash, had been gathering 
by the Mississinewa River fifteen to twenty miles from its mouth, and 
had attracted thither the Delawares from the White River in Indiana. 
In November General Harrison ordered Lieutenant Colonel Campbell 
of the 19th Regiment U. S. Infantry, with a detachment of Kentucky 
and Pennsylvania cavalry and infantry, to dislodge those savages if they 
would not consent to remain peaceful. This command moved frotn 
central Ohio rapidly to and down the Mississinewa about the middle of 
December, each man carrying ten days rations, and as much food for 
his horse as practicable. They destroyed four villages of the savages, 
killed eight warriors and took eight more, with thirty-two women and 
children, prisoners. Early in the morning of December iHth the main 
body of savages rallied, stealthily approached and impetuously 
attacked the Americans. The savages fought desperately but were 
obliged to retreat, leaving fifteen of their killed on the field. The 
American loss was eight men killed and forty-two wounded; and one 
hundred and seven horses killed. Lieutenant Colonel Campbell being 
informed at this time that Tecumseh had been only eighteen miles 
IuIdw him on the river, thought it prudent to return as fast as pract- 
icable, and to communicate the jsresence of Tecumseh's force to 
General Harrison. The return march to Ohio was very slow and 
laborious, seventeen of the wounded being carried on litters. The 
entire command suffered greatly from the cold ; and three hundred 
soldiers were so frozen as to be for some time unfit for duty. This 
expedition had a wholesome effect on the savages. The Delawares had 



drive ihem to debility and death with the view of eeltine the price [from the Government). In addition 
to this no bills of lading were used, nor accounts kept with the wagoners, and of course each one had an 
opportunity to plunder the public without risk of detection— M'Afee. 



ADVANCE OF WINCHESTER-S ARMY DOWN MAUMEE. 505 

l)c'[orf Ix'cn rc-(Hicstici to ntuiti to Ohio: ami a(Ur this chastisement 
they tlid Kliirti, and settled aloiiu the iii)i)er Aiij^laise River. 

General Harrison disi)atclied ICnsi^n Charles S. Todd, with an 
escort of two soldiers and three \V\andols, from Fort Stephenson to 
General Winchester, instructini; him to advance to the lower Maumee 
Rapids as soon as he could acciumilate twenty days' food supplies, and 
there to build huts thus to lead tin- watchful scouts of the enemy to infer 
that he intended to i)ass the winter there; then to build sleds to be 
ready to advance to Maiden vvlien ice formed sufficiently to hold. The 
messenfjers weri' instructed to further inform liim that the three lines 
of the Northwestern .Army would be concentrati'd at the Rapids for the 
advance, and that secrecy retjardinK thest' orders and preparations 
should be maintained. 

The '22nd December Hour and some other sup]ilies, including a 
partial supply of clothing from the ladies of Kentucky* were received 
at Fort Winchester and Encampment Number Three, with the most 
welcome intelligence tliat a constant sui^jIv would follow. Prepara- 
tions were at once made for the army's advance. The sick were 
removed to Fort Winchester, and a sufficient garrison left for their care 
and i)rot(.'Ction. The soldiers were greatly inspirited by the order to 
l)repare for the march, and . . . 'On the 2r)th December, 1H12. 
[M'.Vfee recorded this march as beginning 30th December] at sunrise 
we liade adieu to this memorable place. Camp Number Three, where 
lie [yet undesignated] the bones of manv a brave man. This 
place will live in the recollection of all who suffered there, and 
for more reasons than one. There comes up belore the mind the 
many times the dead march was heard in the Camp, and the solemn 
procession that carried our fellow sufferers to the grave; the many times 
we were almost on the ])oint of starvation : and the many sickening 
disappointments which were e.xperienced by the army from day to day, 
and from week to week, by the failure of promised supplies' — .\ther- 
ton iiage 26. 

Leslie Combs and the noted guide and scout A. Ruddle (Riddle?) 
were sent to inform General Harrison of the advance: and he, having 
just received the express from Lieutenant Colonel Campbell that Te- 
cumseh and his large body of savages might invade Ohio along the 
Mississinewa, sent orders to General Winchester to turn his army south- 
ward to Fort Jennings to protect the sujiplies being gathered along that 
military road; but General Winchester persisted in his march down the 
Maumee. Had he followed the orders of his ranking officer the signal 



* Much of the clothing sent from Kentucky was lost on the way. like the food, owing to the mis- 
conduct of the wagoners and wagon-masters, and the insuperable difficulties of transportation — M'Afee 
page 183. 



306 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

defeat and massacre to which he led his army would have been pre- 
vented. His soldiers proceeded under great difficulties, and slowly. 
In addition to the threat weakness and insufficient clothinu; of his men 
they were obliged to haul much of their provisions and equipment on 
sleds through a deep snow that had fallen on the wet ground made soft 
by a general thaw. The gullies and other depressions contained much 
water which, with the snow, wet the provisions and the men's clothing. 
The weather soon became colder and there was intense suffering. The 
clearing of ground for the night encampments, and the making of fires 
by the uncertain process of sparks from striking flints with steel, and 
kindling with wet wood, were slow, cold and fatiguing processes. The 
greatest suffering, however, was at night when thty laid down and at- 
tempted to sleep. 

Some complaints being madf against Doctor William Eustis Secre- 
tary of War, he resigned that office, and James Monroe was appointed 
his successor by President Madison. Secretarx' Monroe was a practical 
soldier; was quick to recognize General Harrison's worth and wrote to 
him to prosecute the campaign in ])ursuancf of his own views. General 
Harrison replied from Franklinton undtr datt' of January 8, 1813, as 
follows: 

When 1 wasdirected to take command in the latter part of September, I thought 
it possible by great exertions to effect the objects of the campaign before the setting in of 
winter. I distinctly stated, however, to the Secretary of War that there was always a 
period of rainy weather in this country in the months of November and December in 
which the roads within the settlements were almost impassable ; and the swamps which 
extend northwardly from about the 40th degree of north latitude, entirely so; and that 
this circumstance would render it impossible to advance with the army before that period 
without exposing it to inevitable destruction, unless a sufficiency of provisions could be 
taken on to subsist it until the severe frosts should remove the impediments to trans- 
portation. 

The experience of a few days was sufficient to convince me that the supplies of pro- 
visions could not be procured for our autumnal advance ; and even if this difficulty was 
removed, another of equal magnitude existed in the want of artillery. There remained 
then no alternative but to prepare for a winter campaign. But in order to take advantage 
of every circumstance in our favor, boats and pirogues were prepared in considerable 
numbers on the Auglaise [at Forts Amanda and Winchester] and St. Marys, in the hope 
that when the land transportation could not be used, we might by means of these rivers 
take on large supplies to the Rapids of the Miami [Maumee]. An effort was made also 
to procure flour from Presque Isle [the present Erie, Pa.] by coasting the lake with small 
boats. These measures were calculated on as collateral aids only. The more sure 
one of providing a large number of packhorses and ox teams was resorted to, and the 
Deputy Quartermaster General, Colonel Morrison, was instructed accordingly. 

Considering the Miami [Maumee] Rapids as the first point of destination, pro- 
visions were ordered to be accumulated along a concave base, extending from St. Marys 
on the left to the mouth of Huron River and afterwards Lower Sandusky, on the right. 
From this base the [foot of the Maumee] Rapids could be approached by three routes, or 
lines of operation, two of which were pretty effectually secured by the posts which wer^ 



HARRISON'S REVIEW. MISTAKE AT DEFIANCE. 507 

established aii'l the positions taken on the thiifl (by way of the Sandusky River]. St. 
Marys, M'.Xrthur's Blockhouse, and Upper Sandusky were selected as principal deposits. 
The troops, exceptinj; those with General Winchester, were kept within the bounds 
of the local contractors, that they might not consume the provisions procured by the 
United States' Commissaries, and which were intended to form the grand deposit at the 
Miami [Maumee] Rapids. It was not until late in October that much eflect could be 
given to these arrangements; and for the six following weeks little or nothing could be 
done from the uncommonly unfavorable state of the weather which aCforded just rain 
enough to render the roads impassable for wagons, and not a sufTiciency to raise the 
waters to a navigable state. Great exertions however were made to prepare for the change 
which might reasonably be expected. 

The last twenty days of December were entirely favorable to our views, and were so 
well employed by Colonel Morrison as to afford the most flattering prospect of being 
able to take on to the Rapids early in this month [January] a sufficiency of provisions 
and stores to authorize an advance upon Maiden from the 25th instant to the 10th of 
February. Our hopes were again a little checked by a general thaw, succeeded by a 
very deep snow whilst the ground was in that soft state. It is however cold again, and 
we calculate on being able to use with effect the sleds, a considerable number of which 
I had caused to be prepared. 

My plan of operation has been, and now is, to occupy the [foot of the] Miami 
[Maumee] Rapids, and to deposit there as much provisions as possible, to move from 
thence with choice detachment of the army, and with as much provision, artillery and 
ammunition as the means of transportation will allow, make a demonstration towards 
Detroit and, by a sudden passage of the strait upon the ice, an actual investiture of 
Maiden ... It was my intention to have assembled at [the foot of] the Rapids from 
l.")(10 to .WOO men, and to be governed by circumstances in forming the detachment with 
which I should advance. This is still my plan, and it was always my intention to dis- 
miss at that period all that I deemed superfluous. The nominal amount of the army 
was ten thousand, but the effective force was much less . . You will read with as 
much pain as I write it, that a fine body of regular troops belonging to the 17th and lilth 
Regiments under Colonel Wells, has been nearly destroyed by the want of clothing. 
The whole of the effective men upon this frontier does not exceed six thousand three 
hundred infantry. 

Upon the whole sir. my reaching Maiden this winter depends upon circumstances 
which I cannot control — the freezing of the strait in such a manner as to enable me to 
pass over the troops and artillery. General Winchester is I hope now, or will be in a 
day or two, at the Rapids. Provisions in large quantities are progressing thither. I 
calculate on being there myself by the 20th [January 1813] instant with the troops which are 
intended for the march upon Maiden. . . Should our offensive operations be sus- 
pended until spring, it is my decided opinion that the most effectual and cheapest plan 
will be to obtain the command of the Lake. This being once effected, every difficulty 
will be removed. 

You do me justice in believing that my exertions have been unremitted, and I am 
sensible of the commission of one error only that has injuriously affected our interests ; 
and that is in retaining too large force at Defiance. The disadvantages attending it 
were, however, seen at the period of my committing the management of that wing to 
General Winchester. Possessing a superior rank in the line of the army to that which 
was tendered to me, I considered him rather in the light of an associate in command 
than an inferior. I therefore recommended to him, instead of ordering it, to send back 
two regiments within the bounds of White's contract. Had this measure been pursued, 
there would have been at Fort Wiiichester 100,000 rations more than there is at present. 



508 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The General, who possesses the most estimable qualities of the head and heart, was 
deceived as I was with regard to the period when the army could advance, and he did 
not think that the reduction of issues would be so important as it is now ascertained it 
would have been. 

General Winchester's army ot about thirteen hundred men, arrived 
at Presciu'ile on the south-west side of General Wayne's Battle Field 
of Fallen Timber January 10th. Here an encampment was fortified to 
some extent and a large storehouse for provisions and heavy baggage 
was built within the enclosure. This has been termed by the writer 
Fort Deposit —see accompanying map. It was situated about three 
miles down the Maumee from Roche de Bout the site of General 
W'ayne's Fort Dei^osit. Corn (maize) was gathered from a near-by 
field, hastily boiled whole and greatly relished by the soldiers whose 
supplies had continued limited in cptantity and variety. Devices were 
soon made tor pounding the corn, and from the meal thus obtained 
bread was made. Additional supiiiies were here received, including 
some clothing from their homes and the soldierlyspirit was soon revived. 

General Payne with six hundred and seventy soldiers had early been 
sent forward by General Winchester to rout a gathering of Aborigines 
which had been reported to General Harrison as gathered 'in an old 
fortification at Swan Creek.' Fossiblx tlu- old fortification here men- 
tioned was the remains of Fort Industry ot JSOu. No Aborigines could 
be found 1)\- General Payne's scouts. Cajitain Williams with twenty- 
five men discovered another deserted camp and, following the fresh 
trail, overtook the Aborigines and hastened their retreat by an exchange 
of shots from which a few persons were wounded on both sides. The 
11th January General Winchester sent notification of his arrival at the 
Rapids to General Harrison by the persons who were taking in the 
starved and worn out packhorses to General Tupper's camp at Fort 
M'Arthur, a place as distant from the Rapids as the headquarters of 
Harrison, and from which the messenger must then pass through a 
swampy and pathless wilderness of forty miles to Upper Sandusky, 
where he did not arrive until General Harrison had left that place: and 
the notification was ultimately received by him at the Ra|)ids, where it 
started — M'Afee page 202. 

The advance and occupation of the lower Maumee Rapids by Gen- 
eral Winchester without opposition by the enemy was reassuring to 
the officers and to the ranks, and this had much influence in inducing 
the unwise advance to the River Raisin. In compliance with several 
requests for protection received from Frenchtown (now Monroe, Mich- 
igan, then a settlement of thirty-three families) Colonel William Lewis 
was dispatched bv General Winchester with five hundred and fifty 
soldiers January 17th for that purjjose. A few hours later Colonel 



WINCHESTER S FATAL MOVE TO THE RIVER RAISIN. 309 




JcjIin.Alltii followed with a force of 
one hundred and ten, which over- 
took the former opposite Presqu'- 
ile of Maumee Bay, where they 
were informed that there were four 
hundred Aborigines then at 
I'Venchtown, and that Colonel 
ICIliott was detaching a force at 
Maiden to f>roceed against the 
Americans on the Maumee. These 
rumors were dispatched to General 
,"^ Winchester, and he sent them to 
General Harrison with a statement 
of the movement of his main force 
against the enemy. The sending 
of this small force with only small 
arms near Maiden the headquart- 
ers of the British and their Al)ori- 
gine allies, without the order of 
General Harrison and a near re- 
serve force, was the third in the 
series of grave errors on the part 
of General Winchester which was 
soon to cause the complete de- 
struction of his army and to ob- 
scure, at least, what little honor 
was attached to him. Colonels 
Lewis and Allen rapidly advanced 
over the ice along the shore of the 
Lake, engaged the enemy, about 
one hundred British troops and 
our hundred .\borigines, near 
Frenchtown and drove them 
across the River Raisin notwith- 
standing their opposing howitzer. 
They then dispatched for re- 
enforcements and began prepara- 
tions for defense against oncoming 
superior numbers. 

General Winchester, on learning 
of the success of his Colonels, left 
a guard at Fort Deposit, and start- 
ed January 19th with all the force 



310 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

that could be spared from this Fort, two hundred and fifty in number, 
for Frenchtown where he arrived in the ni^ht of the 20th. There his 
former thoughtfulness and care for the safety of his command were 
relaxed. He established headquarters in the comfortable residence of 
Colonel Francis Navarre on thtj south side of the river about nine hun- 
dred feet from the camp of his soldiers. The next day he was informed 
by Pet^r Navarre and his four brothers whom he sent out to recon- 
noiter, that a large force of British and Aborigines would attack him 
that night. A Frenchman, Jacques La Salle commonly termed Jocko, 
who w^as in sympathy with the British, persuaded the General into a 
disbelief of the report. His vigilant and successful Colonels also 
received and communicated to him evidences of the oncoming of large 
forces of savages and British with artillery. But the General was 
under an evil spell. The reports were discredited; no other scouts 
were sent out by him : no definite precautions against a night attack 
were ordered I nor special ]>r(i)arations for the comfort and safety of 
his small army. To what subtle and soothingly disastrous influences 
had the General been subjected by association with his liberal host, and 
the voluble and genial Jocko! Habituated to an easy, luxurious life, 
the General had been for many weeks in the midst of forest wilds, pri- 
vations and sufferings, and now had headquarters in a comfortable 
house as the guest of a man with similar tastes in a social way, and 
with well stocked cellar. The successes of his Colonels and his re- 
liance on their vigilance brought relaxation on the part of the General, 
on whom they relied, and he settled down to some enjoyment, soothed 
bv the kind and ample hospitality of his host and the false assurances 
of the enemy's friend! He was under the magic spell of security and 
peace which, like the brief calm preceding a disastrous burst of the 
tempest, lulled to inactivity 1 Very early in the morning of January 
22nd the brave American troops, yet weak from their former sufferings, 
were surprised by the stealth\- foe and quite overwhelmed by superior 
numbers with six cannon. About three hundred were killed in the 
fierce onslaught and later messacred direct and by the burning of build- 
ings in which the wounded were placed : five hundred and forty-seven 
were taken prisoners by the British and forty-five by the Aborigines ; 
onlv thirty-three escaped ! General Winchester, aroused by the guns, 
strove in the biting cold to join his army. Mounting his host's horse 
he rode in what he supposed to be the proper part of the camp of his 
soldiers — Hosmer. He was so(^ captured by Jack Brandy, an Abo- 
rigine of Round Head's band, who divested him of his outer clothing 
and led him half frozen to Colonel Proctor the British commander who 
persuaded him to order his troops to surrender. The white flag was 
started with this order towards the garden pickets behind which the 



WINCHESTER'S SURRENDER. MASSACRE. 311 

Aimi i( ans well- wlII lioldm^ their |)osition. They ruf used to surrender. 
Thrice did the lla^ pass from the British headquarters to the American 
line* once accompanied by Major Walter II. Overton of General Win- 
cliester's staff and 1)\' Colonel Proctor, before the courageous Major 
Georjie Madison would surrender, and he then consented only after 
promises by Proctor of protection from the Abori^fines. How these 
promises were ignored by the British regarding the wounded and many 
of those captured by the savages, and how lullv the into.xicated savages 
reveled in the butchery of their helpless victims and left the remains to 
be eaten by dogs and hogs, has been described by many persons whose 
writings are readily accessible. 

Most of tlu' American prisoners who could march with tin- British 
were led to Aniherstburg (formerly Maiden) the morning of January 
2i!rd. Till' 2(ith they were marched to Sandwich, whence some were 
sent across the river to the British garrison at Detroit, and the others 
to Fort Gi'orge at Niagara where nearly all of them were released 
on parole not to bear arms against his Majesty or his allies [the 
savages] during the war or until exchangt'd.' General Winchester, 
Colonel Lewis and Major Madison, were sent to (Quebec and, some 
time later, to Beauport near Ouebec, where they were confined 
until the sjiring of l!^14 when they were exchanged with many 
others. t Colonel Proctor reported the British loss in this battle at 
twenty-four killed and one hundred and filty-eight wounded. No 
accurate estimate of the loss of their savage allies could be made. 
The enemy numbered about two thousand, one half being British 
regulars and Canada milita. Round Head and \\'alk-in-the-Water 
were the jirincipal chiefs of the savages. Tecumsch was then in 
Indiana. Proctor's report, and commendation of his savage 'allies' 
led the Assembly of Lower Canada to extend to him 'and his men' 
a vote of thanks; and the part he acted also led to his i)romotion to 
the rank of brigadier general. 

This great disaster at the River Raisin, though most deeplv la- 
mented, was not without good results in its lessons. 'Remember the 
Raisin' became the slogan that spurred many other Kentuckians to 
enlist in the army and to do valiant service for their countrv. and it al- 



'•■ American State Papers. Military Atiaiis. vohiiiie i pane ;^67. .See. also. General Winchester's 
report to the Secretary of War written at Maiden January :^i. 1H13. while a prisoner — Brannan's Official 
Letters paye 132. 

t General Winchester was transferred to command at Mohile ; and the last report from him seen by the 
writer was to the Secretary of War announcint;. under date of February 17, 18I.i, ' his duly to communi- 
cate the very unpleasant news of the loss of Fort Bowyer ' situated by .Mobile Bay. which was captured 
by the Britisli the I 2th February with its garrison of three hundred and sixty men — Brannan's Official 
Letters. He resinned his commission in March. ISl.i. and returned to his hotne in Tennessee, where he 
died 3*th July 1836. Vie is described as a ' fussy man. (]uite heavy in person, and illy fitted for the 
peculiar service in which he was eiiKayed.'— Lossiny's Pictorial Field-Book of the War of 1815 pace .161 



372 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

so incited the officers to greater thoughtlulriL'ss, and to a greater sense of 
responsibility.* 

General Harrison, upon receipt at Uiiper Sandusky of General 
Winchester's express that he was advancing to the Raisin, urged for- 
ward troops and artillery from his headquarters, and from Lower San- 
dusky. He preceded the troops and, upon his arrival at Fort Deposit, 
ordered General Payne with the garrison there, forward to the support 
of his General. The cold was severe, the snow-covered road was 
rough, and mirey in places, and the troops were slow in arriving at the 
lower rapids. As they arrived in small bodies they were hastened 
onward toward the Raisin, led by General Harrison. They had not 
proceeded far, however, before some fugitives were met and, as they 
advanced, others confirmed the total deft-at of General Winchester's 
command. A council of officers in the saddle decided to return the 
main body to Fort Deposit, while scouts were sent forward to aid those 
escaping. t Upon arrival at Fort Deposit a council of the general and 
field officers was called. This council decided that 

. The position of General Winchester's Camp [Deposit] was injudicious and un- 
tenable against any formidable force. The position was on the wrong side of the river; 
for it frequently happens in the winter that heavy rains suddenly swell the current and 
break the ice so as to render the stream wholly impassable for many days together. 
This would prevent the convoys from reaching the camp, whilst the enemy might cross 
on the ice at the mouth of the Bay and destroy them without opposition. The attempt 
to fortify the position had also destroyed all its natural advantages. The camp was a 
parallelogram with its longest side on the river, corresponding to the form of the rise 
of the ground [Presqu'ile] on which it was placed, the abrupt declivity of which afforded 
the enemy a better fortification, at point blank shot in the rear, than the breastwork of 
logs by which the lines were protected. The flanks were also at a convenient distance 
from the ends of the rise of ground to be annoyed from them by the enemy. By revers- 
ing the order and making the flank lines the longest so as to extend quite across the 
prominence the rear would have been rendered secure, and the flanks would have 
been at too great a distance to be annoyed from the extremes of the eminence. On the 
next morning therefore the army abandoned the Rapids, having first set fire to the 
blockhouse in which there was a quantity of provisions that would be useful to the 
enemy if they advanced to that place. 

The few troops there assembled retired to the Portage River, about 
eighteen miles on the road to Lower Sandusky, where they strongly 
fortified a camp to there await the oncoming regiments, including the 
artillery, when they would return to the Maumee with all the supplies. 
Copious rains, however, delayed all the forward movements. Fort 



* The Legislature of Michiean, session of 1903-04. appropriated live thousand dollars for the erection 
of a monument at Monroe commemorative of the Americans who were there killed in this battle. The 
commission awarded the contract to a Toledo firm in February, 1904, and the monument was unveiled 
the 1st September, 1904, in presence of several thousand people, including prominent Kentuckians. 

t See General Harrison's report to the Secretary of War, Brannan's Official Letters pane 135. 



ACTIVITY OF AMERICAN TROOPS. 



313 



WincliL'Stcr iiKain hcranu- tlir Ironliir position cjf diftiisc in the Maiimi'f 
Valley, and a shield to tin- torts and SfttliTs to the south and southwest 
who wen- aRain ex])erienc'inK uieat alarm. 




Poniard, found without scabbard many years at'o southeast of Defiance. The reverse side of 
blade is hollowed. Lenyth over all eleven inches. In the Author's Collection. 



niAPTICR XI. 



The Skcond .\ni) Third ( I'inai.) Ye.^ks (tf the W.\i< ok 1H12. 

The scouts ol the army by the Portage River kept tlu' movements 
of the savajjes under observation. The 9th of F"ehruary they reported 
about six hundred gathered on the north shore of Maumee Bay. Gen- 
eral Harrison detached six hundred soldiers with one cannon, and led 
them in person to the savage encampment which was abandoned on 
his approach. The troops were ordered to march in pursuit on the ice 
near the shore. Near the lowest part of the Bay the horses with the 
cannon broke through the ice. The cannon was not recovered until 
the next day and after great exertion and much suffering from the 
severe cold. Meantime the main body, which had again pressed for- 
ward, was met by the scouts with the information that the savages had 
escajJed to Maiden, and the detachment returned to camp. General 
Harrison wrote to the Secretary of War from 'Headquarters, Foot of 
the Miami [Maumee] Rapids, February 11, 1813,' that 

Having been joined by General Leftwich with his brigade, and a regiment of the 
Pennsylvania quota at the Portage Hiver on the "iOth ultimo, I marched thence on 
the 1st instant and reached this place on the morning of the 2d with ,in effective force of 
sixteen hundred men. I have since been joined by a Kentucky regiment and part of 
General Tupper's Ohio brigade, which has increased our numbers to two thousand non- 
commissioned officers and privates. . . I have ordered the whole of the troops of 
the Left Wing (excepting one company for each of the six forts in that quarter) the 
balance of the Pennsylvania brigade, and the Ohio brigade under General Tupper. 
and a detachment of regular troops of twelve-months volunteers under command of 
Colonel Campbell, to march to this place as soon as possible. . . The disposition 
of the troops for the remainder of the winter will be as follows : .\ battalion of 
inilitia lately called out from this State, with a company of regular troops now at Fort 



314 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



Winchester [Defiance] will garrison the posts upon the waters of the Auglaise and 
St. Mary. The small block-houses upon Hull's trace [M' Arthur, Necessity, and 
Findlay] will have a subaltern's command in each. A company will be placed at Upper 
Sandusky, and another at Lower Sandusky. All the rest of the troops will be brought 
to this place, amounting to from fifteen to eighteen himdred men. 

I am erecting here a pretty 
strong fort [Meigs] capable 
of resisting field artillery at 
least. The troops will be 
placed in a fortified camp, 
covered on one flank by the 
fort. This is the best position 
that can be taken to cover the 
frontier, and the small posts in 
the rear of it, and those above 
it on the Miami [Maumee] 
and its tributaries. The force 
placed here ought, however, 
to be strong enough to en- 
counter any that the enemy 
may detach against the forts 
above. Twenty-five hundred 
would not be too many. But, 
anxious to reduce the expenses 
during the winter within as 
narrow bounds as possible, 
1 have desired the Governor 
of Kentucky not to call out 
(but to hold in readiness to 
march) the fifteen hundred 
men lately required of him. 
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON All the teams which have been 

Major General, and Fourteenth President of the fhiited hired for the public service 
States. Born at Berkeley, Vireinia, 9th February, 1773. Died ^^,j[i ^e discharged, and those 
4th April, 1841, at Washington, D. C, when one mouth President. , , . , , ,. ... 

belonging to the public, which 

are principally oxen, disposed of in the settlements where forage is cheaper, and every 
other arrangement made which will lessen the expenses during the winter. Attention 
will still, however, be paid to the deposit of supplies for the ensuing campaign. Im- 
mense supplies of provisions have been accumulating along the Auglaise River, and 
boats and pirogues prepared to bring them down as soon as the river opens. 

The building of the strong fort (Meigs) mentioned in the preced- 
ing letter was under the iminediate supervision of Captain, afterward 
Colonel, Eleazer D. Wood chief engineer of the arm^'. General Har- 
rison's experience with General Wayne along the lower Maumee, and 
his later observations, led him to choose as the site of this fort the 
high right bank of the river, a short distance below the lowest fording 
place and near the foot of the lowest rapids. The first plan of this fort 
and encampment embraced something over eight acres of ground. In 
the words of Captain Wood 




FORT AND CAMP MEIGS. UNSUCCESSFUL VENTURE. 515 

The camp was twenty-five huiulreil yards (over one mile and one-third] in irreKular 
circumference. With the exception of short intervals for blockhouses and batteries, 
this extent was picketed with timber fifteen feet long, from ten to twelve inches in diam- 
eter, set three feet into the ground. The army at this camp then numbered about 
eighteen hundred, and as soon as the lines of the fort were designated, large portions of 
the labor were assigned to each corps in the army, by which means a very laudable 
emulation was easily excited. To complete the picketing, to put up eight blockhouses 
of double timbers, to elevate four large batteries, to build all the storehouses and maga- 
zines required to contain the supplies of the army, together with the ordinary fatigues 
of the camp, was an undertaking of no small magnitude. Besides, an immense deal of 
labor was likewise required in excavating ditches, making abatis and clearing away the 
wood about the camp ; and all this was done, too, at a time when the weather was 
inclement, and the ground so hard that it could scarcely be opened with the mattock and 
pickaxe. But in the use of the axe, mattock, and spade consisted the chief military 
knowledge of our army; and even that knowledge, however trifling it may be supposed 
by some, is of the utmost importance in many situations, and in ours was the salvation 
of the army. So we fell to work, heard nothing of the enemy, and endeavored to busy 
ourselves as soon as possible. 

The scouts k{'V)t tlu- (ji-mral intoriiud nyarding thu enemy : and 
wlun they ri'portt-d tlu' arnu-d vessels ot tin- Hritish frozen in the ice 
near Maldiii he concei\( il ,i )ilan for their destruction. A detachment 
for this purpose was niatU- the 26th February of sixty-eight regulars, 
one hundn tl and twt nt\ Pennsylvania and Virginia militiamen, a 
special company of thirty-two soldiers, twenty-four sled drivers, with 
guides and twenty-tw-o friendly Aborigines. .\11 were "jilaced under 
command of Captain Augustus L. Langham of Ohio and M. Madis 
from France then serving as conductor of artillery. They started 
March 2nd with sleighs containing provisions for six days and combust- 
ibles with which to set fire to the vessels and whatever storehouses 
they could approach. Their route was eastward and, at the Portage 
River, the destination and object of the expedition was more fully ex- 
plained to the soldiers, and permission to return was given to all who 
desired so to do. Aborigine and French spies abounded, and the pro- 
ject appeared so hazardous that twenty of the militia and six Aborigi- 
nes returned to the Maumee. The others continued through Lower 
Sandusky and out on the ice covering Lake Erie. They were to leave 
the sleighs at Middle Bass Island and proceed noiselessly with moc- 
casins. The next day General Harrison started with a protecting 
detachment, and at Maumee Bay met Captain Langham's command 
returning, they being turned back without fulfilling their mission, 
partly on account of desertions, forerunning spies from the enemy and, 
principally, by the weakness of the ice from the moderated weather. 

Soon after the favorable beginning of the important fortification 
by the lower Maumee General Harrison started southward to urge for- 
ward additional troops in person, and to visit his sick family at Cincin- 
nati. Cajitain \\'ood had been sent by him to Sandusky to plan a 



376 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



fortification for that place. General Leftwich of the Virginia militia, 
whom Captain Wood afterwards called 'an old phlegmatic Dutchman 
who was not even fit for a packhorse master much less to be entrusted 
with such an im])ortant command' as this, was left in charge of the 



_^/lAUMEERIWR. 



B.MofiTAjlBATTfMf ^\-^/^^^^^^^ '^' ^ M GpAvcs -'Ornccfls 'S^ §5^ 

C. SLotKMoUirS \/ .__^*.__ N OrfMHSaUHBTEdS '' '«*^* 

TzZr^ GRouMQPimoF w vz::z....nH 

f. HfwMAG«IM£ C^ DT ~^ JiAT^ir^Q 5, BufllALGflouNO-ftnOTvKcauK 

H.8ATEWAYSWTw&MNBTf»*VEWL g \/ i\ I f / L^ I lJ«J T GAWtSON BuRML GRoUWD 

The suK^estion of the United States Eni;i]leers who made survey of this place in 1888, was 
the purchase of fifty-five acres of land, the erection of a principal monument within the site of 
the Fort to cost $10,000 and three minor monuments in the burial places to cost with fences 
$1.5, (XK); but Congress basnet made any appropriation for this purpose. The Maumee Valley 
Pioneer and Historical Association, however, has undertaken to commemorate the history here 
enacted. In October, 1903, eight and a half acres of the eastern part of Camp Meigs including 
the burial ground of Kentuckians was purchased, and a United States flag has been raised over 
it. An .\ct,of the Ohio Legislature of March, 1904, gives historical and like organizations the 
right of eminent domain; also mention was made of a monument, but without appropriation of 
money. 



camp and the building of the fort. He permitted the work to cease 
and, further, permitted the soldiers to use the gathered timber for fuel 
while there was much material better adapted to their use, and neces- 
sarv to be cleared away, within easy distance. Captain Wood re- 
turned the 20th February to find, also, that there had been considerable 
destruction of the work that was done before his departure. 

The time of enlistment of the Virginians, and some Pennsyl- 
vanians, soon expired and they started for home, leaving only about 
five hundred soldiers at this important camp. Captain Wood, how- 
ever, recommenced work on the fortifications and pressed it forward 
as fast as possible. In honor of the Governor of Ohio at this time 
this, the largest and most important defensive work of the Armj' of the 
Northwest, was named Fort Meigs. It was both a fort and a fortified 



BRITISH DESIGNS. PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENSE. 517 

camp. Its limits were c-xtrmUd to L-mhracr (ourtLLti acrus or more ol 
land lor tin- jmrposc' of L'ncomi)assing and protecting; thu entire army, 
with the horses, cattle, and all trains and supplies, in case it be 
besii'K'ed. The batteries of cannon and howitzers were distributed 
around its inlin- oiiloni; and irregular limits, the larKesl and stronKest 
liein^; toward the river. The palisadis on the north or river side and 
those on the east end were set in ground declinin>r from the enclosure 
and nearlv pirixndicular to llu' slopes thus btin^; more of a jirotection 
against an assailinj; torce than against shot and shell from the oiii)0- 
site bank. 

About the first ol March a small party of citizens of Detroit 
arrived at Fort Mei);s and reported that General Proctor had ordered 
the assemblinfj; of Canada militia on the 7th .\i)ril at Sandwich pre- 
paratorv to an attack on Fort Miins; and the mode of attack, as dis- 
cussed by the British officers, would be by constructinfi strong bat- 
teries of cannon on the oiijiosite side of the river to be manned by 
J^ritish artillerists while the savages would invest the fort on the 
other sides. In the opinion of Major Muir 'a few hours action of the 
cannon would smoke the Americans out of the fort into the hands of 
the savages.' Many other boastings of the British were reported. 

British scouts, both Canadian and Aborigine, continued active. 
The 9th of March a small comi)any of soldiers were permitted to shoot 
some ganu- while reconnoitering. When near the ruins of Fort Miami 
they were shot at by savages and Lieutenant Walker was killed. 
Another bullet lodged in a bible or hymn-book carried by a soldier in 
his breast ]>ocket and he was thus saved from being wounded if not 
killed. The body of Lieutenant W'alker was recovered the next day 
and buried at Fort Meigs. 

Under date of 'Headquarters, Chillicothe March 17th' General 
Harrison wrote to the Secretary of War opposing Cleveland as a point 
of embarkation of troops, or depository for provisions, as . . . 
'There are already accumulated at the Kapids of the Miami [Maumee] 
or in situation to be easily sent thither, to an amount equal to the con- 
sumption of a protracted campaign. . . I am well aware of the 
intolerable expense . . . l^pon the whole it is my decided o])inion 
that the [foot of the] Rapids of the Miami [Maumee] should be the 
point of rendezvous for the troops, as well as the principal depot. 
The artillery and a considerable supjily of ammunition are already 
there. Boats and pirogues have been built in considerable numbers 
on the Auglaise and St. Mary Rivers and every exertion is now making 
for the double purpose of taking down the provisions to the Rapids, 
and for coasting the Lake with the baggage of the army in its advance. 
I had calculated on being able partially to use this mode of transport- 



318 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

ation, even if the enemy should continue his naval superiority on the 
lake . . . Amongst the reasons which make it necessary to employ 
a laryi' force, I am sorrj' to mention the dismay and disinclination to 
the service, which appears to prevail in the western country.' 

Chief amonji' the continued difficulties attending General Harrison's 
work was the keeping of enough soldiers, and supplies, for an advance 
movement. The terms of enlistment were short, and often more were 
departing than arriving. He had early in the winter called on Gover- 
nor Shelby of Kentucky for fifteen hundred men to report at head- 
quarters immediately. Governor Shelby's special message to the 
Legislature then in session was well received and promptly favored by 
an offer of seven dollars a month additional ])ay to any fifteen hundred 
Kentuckians already in the service, who would remain until others were 
sent to relieve them. This information was brought to the troops 
Februarv 8th by Colonel Anthony Crockett. The Ohio and Pennsyl- 
vania troops were similarly' appealed to, and fair success resulted. 
Governor Meigs ordered the organization of two additional regiments, 
and Kentucky ordered by draft an additional fifteen hundred militia 
forward to reinforce General Harrison's army. 

At this time, when an army of four thousand men was almost 
assured for an early advance on Maiden, a letter was received by 
General Harrison from General John Armstrong then Secretary of 
War, requesting liim to dispense with militia as much as possible, to 
fill up the 17th, lUth and 24th Regiments of United States troops, to 
garrison the forts built, and to make feints toward the enemy, but no 
actual attack, until the contemplated vessels were ready to advance by 
the lake. General Harrison replied to this letter with sufficient argu- 
ments to prove to the Secretary that he should not urge his plans 
regarding militia as these plans were inadequate — and the Secretary 
wisely refrained from further meddling with the conduct of the Army 
of the Northwest. With date of 21st March, 1813, General Harrison 
wrote to Governor Shelby that 

Last night's mail brought me a letter from the Secretary of War in which I am 
restricted to the employment of the regular troops raised in this State to re-inforce the 
post at the Rapids. There are scattered through this State about one hundred and forty 
recruits of the 10th Regiment, and with these I am to supply the place of the brigades 
from Pennsylvania and Virginia whose time of service will now be daily expiring. By a 
letter from Governor Meigs I am informed that the Secretary of War disapproved the 
call for militia which I had made on this State and Kentucky, and was on the point of 
countermanding the orders. I will just mention one fact which will show the conse- 
quences of such a countermand. There are upon the [banks of the] AuGlaise and St. 
Mary Rivers eight forts [Forts Winchester, Brown, Jennings, Amanda, Barbee, Adams, 
Decatur near the present Decatur, Indiana, and Wayne] which contain within their 
walls property to the amount of half a million of dollars from actual cost, and worth now 
to the United States four times that sum. The whole force which would have had 



SAVAGE ENCOUNTER. SUPPLIES AND TROOPS ARRIVE. 519 

charge of all Ihest; forts and property would have amounted to less than twenty invalid 
soldiers. 

The garrison of I'ort Mi-iys had enjoyed comparative ([uiet for two 
oi Ihice weeks wliin, al)OUt tlu' first of Ajiril, the soldiers became 
excited over a desperate encounter of al)out a dozen French volunteer 
comrades who, while reconnoiterinji by boat the channels around the 
lar^e Ewint^ Island below the F"ort, were surprised and violently 
assailed at close quaitirs b\ two boat loads of savages who were 
watching for them. In tlie encounter that ensued but one savage 
escaped death: several ol the Frenchmen were killed and of the others 
but three escaped wounds.* 

b'ollowing the moving of the ice from the rivers, advantage was 
laUiii of the high stage of water to boat supplies to Fort Winchester 
and to Fort Meigs from the up-river forts named above. The Ken- 
ttukv troops were sent northward as fast; as possible by way of Hull's 
road, passing Forts Necessity and Findlay. General Harrison also 
took ii|) his return march as soon as possible by way of F"orts Barbee, 
Amanda, Jennings, and Winchester and, learning on the way that the 
enemy was becoming active about Fort Meigs, he dispatched a mes- 
senger to Governor Shelby to send him the entire force of three thous- 
and men drafted bv Kentucky. He also gathered from the forts last 
named all thr tiooiis that could be spared, about three hundred in 
number, to accompany him down the Maumee against any of the 
enemy gathered at Fort Meigs. Upon their arrival April 12th they 
were pleased to tintl peace prevailing, and that upwards of two hun- 
dred Pennsylvania militia had been influenced to remain past their 
enlistment time by Doctor Hersey their chaplain. Upon the arrival of 
three of the advance Kentucky companies, these Pennsylvanians were 
permitted to return home. 

General Proctor had been informed at Maiden of the building of 
Fort Meigs, of the great amount of supplies being there collected, and 
of the departure of troojjs. He had been gathering a force sufficient 
in his opinion for the capture of all; and he boasted to the savages of 
their easy work to secure the prize. Had the orders of the Secretary 
of War prevailed, his desire would have been accomplished, not onlv 
regarding Fort Meigs but with Fort Winchester and all the other forts 
throughout this western country. 

It was gathered from Maiden by scouts that about the first of 
April Tecumseh was there with about fifteen hundred savages, fully 
six hundred of whom were from the region between Lake Michigan and 
the W'abash River, and with many others who formerly ranged along 



* Journal of Lieutenant Larwill copied into Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio. 



320 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



the Maumee and its tributaries. The fact of their being collected at 
Maiden, so as not to molest the lifjhtly garrisoned forts and his rear, 
pleased the General and he notified Governor Shelby that he would not 
need all the drafted Kentuckians, some of whom he had designed to 
place at Fort Wayne to keep in check these savages. 

The Canada militia assembled at Sandwich the 7th Ajiril and on 
the 23rd General Proctor's army, consisting of five hundred and 
twentv-two regulars and four hundred and sixty-one militia, embarked 
at Maiden on a brig and several smaller vessels for Fort Meigs, con- 
voved bv two gunboats with artillery. Nearly all their savage allies, 
or about fifteen hundred of them''' crossed the Detroit River and made 
their wav on foot; others accompanied the British in small boats. The 
vessels arrived at the mouth of the Maumee River on the 26th, and 
the army landed the 2Hth April near the ruins of Fort Miami about two 
miles below antl on the opposite (left) bank of the Maumee from Fort 
Meigs, where they made and continued their principal encampment on 
the high ground. General Harrison was kept informed of their ap- 
proach by Captain Hamilton's small detachment of troops who were 
reconnoitering along Maumee Bay, accompanied by the serviceable 

Peter Navarre as runner. The 
General dispatched Navarre with 
letters to inform the garrisons at 
Lower and Upper Sandusky, and 
Governor Meigs at Urbana, of the 
formidable force approaching him. 
The effective force at Fort 
Meigs numbered about eleven 
hundred soldiers which was inade- 
(|uate to cope with the well-trained 
and far better equipped enemy, 
about twenty-five hundred in 
number. Most of the savages 
were taken across to the right 
(Fort Meigs) bank of the Mau- 
mee to invest and harass the Fort 
at every possible point and noth- 

Hoin al Detroit about 1785: Died at East Toledo Jjjjj Jjyf their hideOUS yells and 
•20th March, 1874. ^ ? , , ^ , 

firing of musketry were now to be 
heard — Lorraine. The ground had been cleared for a distance of six 
to nine hundred feet of the heavy oak and beech trees excepting stumps 




PETER NAVARRE 



* In this, as in most other events, there are various statements. M'Afee records the British army 
as composed of six hundred reeulars. eight hundred militia of Canada, and eiehteen hundred savages; 
and the American force at about one thousand effectives. 



KENTUCKY TROOPS APPROACH. BRITISH BATTERIES. 521 

and an occasional lojr. Htliind tin sc tin- savaucs would advance in 
the nijjht and occasionally wound a i)ickft-t;uard ; hut Kenerall^' the 
savages sulfcri'd most during the day. They also climbed the trees 
back of the Fort, and an occasional one on tile other side of the river* 
Irom which \antam- points they were finally routed. 

Knowing tiiat Gtneral Grein Clay's Kentucky troops were well on 
their way to Fort Mei^s, General Harrison dispatched Captain William 
Oliver Commissary of the I'ort with an oral niessajje to hasten their 
comintf. Oliver and his one soldier and one Aborif^ine attendants 
were escorted some distance on their way by a company of Captain 
Garrard's dragoons, and they hastened without ojiposition to Fort 
Winchester where General Clay's command of twelve hundred men 
had just arrived — a jiart under Colonel William Dudley by way of the 
Auglaise and the others under Gemral Clay by way of the River St. 
Mary, Fort Wayne and the Maumee. They had already heard of Gen- 
eral Harrison's dani^er and, two days before, had sent Leslie Combs 
then a Cai>taiii of riflenun scouts, with soldiirs Johnson, Paxton, and 
two lirothers Walker and Black Fish Junior a Shawnee warrior guide, 
to inform General Harrison of their ai)i)roach. These messengers 
were attacked bv a su])t'rior number of Fottawotamis just as they had 
sighted the flag of Fort Meigs. Johnson and Paxton were wounded 
and taken prisoners. The former soon died from his wounds, and the 
latter was iinally restored to his friends. Combs and Black Fish 
escaped and returned to F"ort Wincfiester about the time of the 
arrivals there of General Clay and Cai)tain Oliver. 

There had been continuous rain, and the efforts of the British to 
move their heavy cannon Cwith two hundred men and several oxen to 
each twenty-four-i)ounder) and construct batteries, W'ere very laborious 
and attended with delavs. The work was carried forward first only at 
night and later uninterruptedl\- day and night with strong relays, not- 
withstanding the rain and shots from Fort Meigs which killed some of 
their men and wounded others. 

By the early morning of the iiOih April they had completed two 
batteries nearly opposite Fort Meigs, on the sites of the present Meth- 
odist and Presbyterian Churches in Maumee Village, the first mounting 
two twenty-four-pounder cannon (the heaviest at Fort Meigs being 
two eighteen-pounders ) and the other mounting three howitzers, one 
eight inches and the other two five and a half inches caliber. During 
the mounting of these cannon several more w-ere killed by the good 



* Residents of the VilLiye of Maumee yet point to ' the old elm' tree on the high bank opposite 
the site of Fort Meics, and task the credulity of visitors regarding the shooting qualities of the muskets 
and rifles of 1H13, by repeating to them the tradition of the soldiers at Fort Meigs killing savages who 
were perched in this tree, and who had from it wounded and killed some of the garrison. It is an aged, 
large, tall, and fair tree to look at, nevertheless. 



322 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. _ 

aim of the American artillerymen at the Fort. At the comin^f of the 
British, General Harrison issued an address to his soldiers appealing 
to their patriotism as follows: 

Can you, the citizens of a free country who have taken arms to defend its rights, 
think of submitting to an army composed of mercenary soldiers, reluctant Canadians 
goaded to the field by the bayonet, and of wretched naked savages ? Can the breast of 
an American soldier, when he casts his eyes to the opposite shore the scene of his coun- 
try's triumphs over the same foe [the site of the flight of the enemy from the Battle 
Field of Fallen Timber] be influenced by any other feelings than the hope of glory? Is 
not this army composed of the same materials as that which fought and conquered 
under the immortal Wayne? Yes, fellow soldiers, your Genera! sees your countenances 
beam with the same fire that he witnessed on that glorious occasion ; and, although it 
would be the height of presumption to compare himself with that hero, he boasts of 
being that hero's pupil. To your posts, then, fellow citizens, and remember that the 
eyes of your country are upon you ! 

Stakes had been placed behind the tents to outline the traverses 
shown on the accompanying ground plan of Fort Meigs, and the throw- 
ing up of earth had progressed rapidly, so that when tlie first British 
battery was complete many of its shot were opposed by solid walls of 
earth twelve feet high and twenty feet thick at the base, behind which 
the soldiers and thi- tents were hastily removed, and the main body of 
the army was thus protected from the heavy guns across the river. 
Another well for water was also dug behind the Grand Traverse. The 
British observing these heretofore hidden means of protection sent a 
detachment of soldiers under Major Muir and of Aborigines under 
Tecumseh across the Maumee below Fort Meigs, under protection of 
their gunboats (the shots from which did no damage to the Fort) to 
build batteries there. General Harrison, understanding this movement, 
directed the throwing up of other traverses, and the strengthening of 
the encampment defenses as much as possible. William Christy of 
Kentucky acting quartermaster was directed by the General to nail an 
American flag on each of the l:)atteries ; and there they remained during 
the siege. 

The rain continued, but it did not stop the cannonading. But little 
damage was done to the Fort. Two Americans were killed the first of 
May and Major Amos Stoddard was wounded by a fragment of shell so 
that he died of tetanus ten days later. It was estimated that the large 
guns of the British threw not less than five hundred balls and shells at 
Fort Meigs during the most active day of the siege. The Americans 
dug holes in the ground and covered them with timber and earth, and 
some were floored with timber; but when not covered with tents these 
bomb-proof cellars would leak from the drenching rains, and ditching 
became necessary. 

The American supply of balls and shells for their twelve-pounders 
was limited to about three hundred and sixty; with about the same 



SIEGE OF FORT AND CAMP MEIGS. 



323 



luimliL-r lor tlirir Li^lUci'ii-ixjuiulcrs. Tlu-si- muiis, tliiTilori', answi-rtd 
those ol tin l)ritisli only occasionally, and tluii to tlu- ])ust advanta^je. 
To increase the supply, a Rill of whiskey was offered for every British 
hall of tluse sizes delivered to Thomas L. Hawkins the keii)er of the 




TIIK VILLAGE OF MAI'MEIC. LUCAS COUNTY. OHIO. 

Looking north from the Grand Traverse of Fort Meies 1st December. 19<l-». The Presbyterian 
Church, beyond the end of the bridse on the rijiht. marks the site of the first British battery in the Siege 
of Fort Mei«s: the Methodist Church, the belfried building to the left of the middle distance, is on the 
site of their second battery, of howitzers: the Roman Catholic Church, with spire, is about the site of 
their third battery, of cannon; and on the lower land between the end of the bridge and the Public 
School Building, was placed their fourth battery, of mortars. Something of the earthworks of the 
batteries of F'ort Meigs yet exist, as shown on the proximal river-bluff line. 



mag^azine. It was estimated that over one thousand balls from the 
British guns were thrown during the five daN-s' siege. The balls ac- 
cepted for the reward were from the twelve-pounders and less — the 
British having no eighteen-pounder cannon, and the Americans having 
no use for their twenty-four-pounder balls. 

The British completed a third battery of three twelve-pounder 
cannon the night of May 1st between the other two. A battery- of 
several mortars was also put in operation nearer the river the 3rd of 
Ma}- ; and that night smaller cannon and mortars were taken across 
the river below the Fort and were mounted on mounds prepared by the 
soldiers who had crossed earlier — some of which mounds were within two 
hundred and fifty yards of the rear angles of Camp Meigs. Additional 
traverses of earth were made so that the shots from these batteries had 
little effect; and a few well-directed shots from the American guns 



324 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

caused hastv removal of the nearer cannon to the ravine on the east at 
greater distance. 

Reverend A. M. Lorraine, who was at Fort Meigs at the time, 
published in March, 1H45, his recollections of the siege, viz:* 

One of our militia-men took his station on the embankment, and gratuitously fore- 
warned us of every shot. In this he became so skillful that he could in almost every 
case predict the destination of the ball. As soon as the smoke issued from the muzzle of 
the gun he would cry out 'shot' or 'bomb' as the case might be. Sometimes he would 
exclaim 'block-house No. 1' or 'look out, main battery'; 'now for the meat-house;' 
'good-by, if you will pass.' In spite of all the expostulations of his friends, he main- 
tained his post. One day there came a shot that seemed to defy all his calculations. 
He stood silent, motionless, perplexed. In the same instant he was swept into 
eternity. Poor man ! he should have considered that when there was no obliquity in the 
issue of the smoke, either to the right or left, above or below, the fatal messenger 
would travel in the direct line of his vision. 

The .\borigines, climbing up into the trees, fired incessantly upon us. Such was 
their distance that many of their balls barely reached us but fell harmless to the ground. 
Occasionally they inflicted dangerous and even fatal wounds. 

The number killed in the fort was small considering the profusion of powder and 
ball expended on us. About eighty were slain, many wounded, and several had to suffer 
amputation of limbs. The most dangerous duty which we performed within the pre- 
cincts of the fort was in covering the magazine. Previous to this the powder had been 
deposited in wagons and these stationed in the traverse. Here there was no security 
against bombs ; it was therefore thought to be prudent to remove the powder into a 
small block-house and cover it with earth. The enemy, judging our designs from our 
movements, now directed all their shot to this point [particularly from their twenty-four- 
pounder battery]. Many of their balls were red-hot. Wherever they struck they 
raised a cloud of smoke and made a frightful hissing. An officer passing our quarters 
said, 'boys, who will volunteer to cover the magazine ? ' Fool-like away several of us 
went. As soon as we reached the spot there came a ball and took off one man's head. 
The spades and dirt flew faster than any of us had before witnessed. In the midst of 
our job a bomb-shell fell on the roof and, lodging on one of the braces, it spun round for 
a moment. Every soldier fell prostrate on his face and with breathless horror awaited 
the vast explosion which we expected would crown all our earthly sufferings. Only one 
of all the gang presumed to reason on the case. He silently argued that, as the shell 
had not bursted as quick as usual, there might be something wrong in its arrangement. 
If it bursted where it was, and the magazine exploded, there could be no escape ; it was 
death anyway ; so he sprung to his feet, seized a boat-hook and, pulling the hissing 
missile to the ground and jerking the smoking match from its socket, discovered that the 
shell was filled with inflammable substance which, if once ignited, would have wrapped 
the whole building in a sheet of flame. This circumstance added wings to our shovels; 
and we were right glad when the officer said 'that will do; go to your lines.' 

General Proctor sent his Major Chambers with a white flag May 
4th, to demand surrender of the Fort. General Harrison promptly re- 
plied: 'Tell General Proctor that if he shall take the Fort it will be 
under circumstances that will do him more honor than a thousand sur- 
renders.' That night about eleven o'clock General Harrison's anxiety 



* Ladies Repository. 1W5. Copied into Howe's His. Collections of Ohio, vol. ii. pages 868-69. 



DEFEAT AND MASSACRE OF DUDLEY'S MEN. 325 

regarding roinforctmtnts was largely i(.'lit.vtd h\ the nturii of Captain 
Oliver accompanied bv Major David Trimble and fifteen soldiers who 
had evaded the savages, to report that General Green Clay's command, 
eleven hundred in number in eighteen large tiatboats with high sides to 
jirotect the soldiers from the bullets of the savages they might meet, 
were tied on the left bank of the Maumee at the head of the Grand 
Rapids, the river being so high that the pilot declined to run the rapids 
in such a dark night unless commanded so to do. Captain Hamilton 
with a subaltern and canoe was dispatched to meet General Clay and 
sa\- to him as the command of General Harrison: "You must detach 
about eight hundred men from your brigade, who will land at a point I 
[Hamilton] will show, about one or one and a half miles above Fort 
Meigs and I will conduct them to the British batteries on the left bank 
of the river. They must take possession of the enemy's cannon, spike 
them, cut down the carriages, then return to their boats* and cross over 
to the Fort. The balance of your men must land on the Fort side of 
the river, opposite the first landing, and fight their way to the Fort 
through the savages. The route they must take will be pointed out by 
A subaltern officer now with me, who will land the canoe on the right 
bank of the river to jioint out the landing for the boats." 

It was some time after daylight before the oncoming boats arrived 
at Hamilton's station about five miles above the Fort. Colonel William 
Dudley was in the first boat and General Clay in the thirteenth from the 
front. When the orders were delivered to him General Clay ordered 
Colonel Dudley as the senior Colonel to assail the batteries as directed 
by General Harrison, with the men in the first twelve boats ; while he, 
with the others, would go forward to the Fort. 

Colonel Dudley 'executed his prescribed task most gallantlv and 
successfully' up to the capture of the batteries. His command arrived 
near the batteries (which were in full action) unobserved, the right led 
by Dudley the left by Major Shelby and the center as a reserve b\' Act- 
ing Major Morrison. Captain Combs with thirty riflemen, including 
seven friendly .\borigines, were in front and on the left flank a hundred 
yards distant. The columns marched so as to present a semicircular 
front to the enemy, Major Shelby's command passing around between 
the batteries and the British camp. The orders were to move quietly, 
but savages fired on Dudley's troops when near the batteries and, with 
a shout, they charged. The gunners fled, the Americans rushed for- 
ward to the guns, spiked eleven of the largrest''" and hauled down the 



* Writinnof General Green Clay May V.i. 1H13. Brannan's Official Letters, pa^e l.iM. 

tUnfortunately. the spikeinc of the cannon could then be done only with ramrods (instead of with the 
usual files or other short, hard pieces of metal that could be broken at level with jjuns) which were readily 
removed by the British after their recapture, and the guns were again used against the .Americans. 



526 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

enemy's flag, which action caused loud applause at the Fort. Not one 
American had been killed in this successful charge — but dire results 
awaited the exulting soldiers from their non-compliance with the orders 
of General Harrison to start for the Fort as soon as the batteries were 
disabled. Some savages fired at Captain Combs' riflemen, the fire was 
returned, and others on both sides rushed to the support of their friends. 
The Americans were anxious for a combat and, notwithstanding their 
short thirty davs presence in the army and want of discipline, they im- 
petuously drove their opposers back into the woods, pursuing them 
promiscuously until the pursuers were confused, and surrounded by 
superior numbers of Aborigines and British who rallied, particular!}- 
between them and the river, preventing their escape. Major Shelby 
remained at the captured batteries until a rallying force of British drove 
his soldiers toward their boats, regaining their batteries : he rallied a 
few of his men and endeavored to follow after Colonel Dudley, but 
thev, like the main force, were soon involved in disorder and captured. 

Colonel Dudley landed with eight hundred and sixty-six men — his 
regiment numbering seven hundred and sixty-one and, in addition there 
were sixty of Colonel William E. Boswell's regiment and forty-five 
United States troops. Only one hundred and seventy escaped to Fort 
Meigs. Many were killed, including Colonel Dudley, in thefierce contest 
that continued about three hours. Many others were wounded, scalped 
and stripped of clothing by the savages. Those who could walk were 
taken prisoners by the British and were started for the ruins of Fort 
Miami near their encampment. Some were slain by the savages while 
on this march; and the stripping of Americans dead and alive of their 
clothing and possessions was freely indulged in. At Fort Miami the 
prisoners were compelled to run the gauntlet where many more were 
killed by the savages with war clubs, scalping knives, tomahawks and 
pistols. 

Descriptions of this great tragedy were afterward given by three 
participants in the battle, and extracts will follow from the writings of 
each one, to elucidate the foregoing outline, viz: From Joseph R. 
Underwood First Lieutenant in Captain John C. Morrison's company ; * 
Captain Leslie Combs of the Riflemen Scouts ;t and Major Richardson 
of the British 41st Regiment J as follows: 

In effectuating the plan of attack. Captain Morrison's Company was thrown by the 
river above the battery. While passing through a thicket of hazel, toward the river in 
forming the line of battle, I saw Colonel Dudley for the last time. He was greatly ex- 



* Copied from an old public print into Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio volume ii, pane 869. 
t Official Report to General Green Clay 6th May, 1H15, Print of Spiller and Gates, Cincinnati. 1869. 
+ Copied into Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio, volume ii, page 873, e/ seg. , from the London New 
Monthly Magaz ne for December, 1826. 



DESCRIPTION OF DUDLEY'S DEFEAT AND MASSACRE. 527 

cited; he. railed at me for not keeping my men better dressed [in better line]. I replied 
that he must perceive from the situation of the ground, and the obstacles that we had 
to encounter, that it was impossible. When we came within a small distance of the 
river we halted. The enemy at this place had gotten in the rear of our line, formed 
parallel with the river, and were firing upon our troops. (Captain Morrison's Company 
did not long remain in this situation. Having nothing to do, and being without orders, 
we determined to march our company out and join the combatants. We did so accord- 
ingly. In passing out we fell on the left of the whole regiment and were soon engaged 
in a severe conflict. The Aborigines endeavored to flank and surround us. We drove 
them between one and two miles, directly back from the river. They hid behind trees 
and logs, and poured upon us as we advanced a most destructive fire. We were from 
time to time ordered to charge. The orders were passed along the lines, our field officers 
being on foot. . . Captain Morrison was shot through the temples, the ball passing 
behind the eyes cutting the optic nerve and depriving him of sight. . . Having made 
the best arrangement for the safety of my much esteemed Captain that circumstances 
allowed, I took charge of the company and continued the battle. We made several 
charges afterwards and drove the enemy a considerable distance. At length 

orders were passed along the lines directing us to fall back and keep up a retreating 
fire. As soon as this movement was made the Aborigines were greatly encouraged, and 
advanced upon us with the most horrid yells. Once or twice the officers succeeded in 
producing a temporary halt and a fire on the Aborigines, but the soldiers of the 
different companies soon became mixed, confusion ensued, and a general rout took 
place. The retreating army made its way towards the batteries, where I supposed 
we should be able to form and repel the pursuing Aborigines. They were now 
so close in the rear as to frequently shoot down those who were before me. 
About this time I received a ball in my back which yet remains in my body. 
It struck me with a stunning, deadening force, and I fell on my hands and knees. I rose 
and threw my waistcoat open to see whether it had passed through me. Finding it had 
not, I ran on and had not proceeded more than a hundred or two yards before I was 
made prisoner. In emerging from the woods into an open piece of ground near the 
battery we had taken, and before I knew what had happened, a soldier seized my sword 
and said to me, 'Sir, you are my prisoner!' I looked before me and saw, with astonish- 
ment, the ground covered with muskets. The soldier observing my astonishment, said 
'your army has surrendered' and received my sword. He ordered me to go forward and 
join the prisoners. I did so. The first man I met whom I recognized was Daniel Smith 
of our company. With eyes full of tears he exclaimed 'good Lord. Lieutenant, what 
does all this mean?' I told him we were prisoners of war. . . — Underwood. 

In small parties, by tens and twenties, they arrived at the batteries, thereby falling 
an easy prey to the regular force of the enemy who, early in the action, had retaken the 
batteries from our right columns -Combs. 

On our march to the garrison [ruins of Fort Miami] the .-Aborigines began to strip 
us of our valuable clothing and other articles. One took my hat, another my hunting 
shirt, and a third my waistcoat, so that I was soon left with nothing but my shirt and 
pantaloons — Underwood. Some lost their pantaloons. He who did 'not instantly give 
up his clothes frequently paid his life for it. This was done before the British guard, 
also before General Proctor, Colonel Elliott, and other officers who were riding up the 
lines. No difference was made between well and wounded in this as well as what fol- 
lowed. It would be almost impossible to relate all the acts of individual outrage that 
took place. I shall never forget the demoniac look of the villain who stripped me. 
I showed him my wound. 'Twas vain ; before I could unfasten the bandage, regardle.ss 
of my pain, he tore my coat ofi from my shoulders. I had gone but little further before 
I saw ten or twelve men lying dead, stripped naked, and scalped — Combs, page 9. 



S28 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

I saved my watch by concealing the chain, and it proved of great service to me 
afterwards. Having read when a boy Smith's narrative of his residence among the 
Aborigines, my idea of their character was that they treated those best who appeared 
the most fearless. Under this impression, as we marched down to the old garrison 
[ruins of Fort Miami] I looked at those whom we met with all the sternness of counte- 
nance I could command. I soon caught the eye of a stout warrior painted red. He 
gazed at me with as much sternness as I did at him until I came within striking distance, 
when he gave me a severe blow over the nose and cheek-bone with his [gun] wiping 
stick, I abandoned the notion acquired from Smith, and went on afterwards with as 
little display of hauteur and defiance as possible. On our approach to the old garrison 
[fort] the Aborigines formed a line to the left of the road, there being a perpendicular 
bank to the right on the margin of which the road passed. I perceived that the prisoners 
were running the gauntlet and that the Aborigines were whipping, shooting and toma- 
hawking the men as they ran by their line. When I reached the starting place I dashed 
off as fast as I was able, and ran near the muzzles of their guns, knowing that they 
would have to shoot me while I was immediately in front or let me pass, for to have 
turned their guns up or down the lines to shoot me would have endangered themselves 
as there was a curve in their line. In this way 1 passed without injury except some 
strokes over the shoulders with their gun-sticks. As I entered the ditch around the gar- 
rison the man before me was shot and fell, and I fell over him. The passage for a while 
was stopped by those who fell over the dead man and me. How many lives were lost at 
this place I cannot tell, probably between twenty and forty. The brave Captain Lewis 
was among the number. . . — Underwood. We heard frequent guns at the place 
during the whole time the remaining prisoners were coming in. Some were wounded 
severely with war clubs, tomahawks, etc. The number who fell after the surrender was 
supposed by all to be nearly equal to the killed in the battle. As soon as all the surviv- 
ing prisoners got within the stockade the whole body of Aborigines, regardless of the 
opposition of our little guard, rushed in. There seemed to be almost twice our number 
of them. Their blood-thirsty souls were not yet satiated with carnage. One Aborigine 
shot three of our men, tomahawked a fourth, and stripped and scalped them in our 
presence. . . Then all raised the war-hoop and commenced loading their guns. 
Tecumseh, more humane than his ally and employer [Proctor] generously interfered and 
prevented further massacre. Colonel Elliot then rode slowly in, spoke to the Aborigi- 
nes, waved his sword, and all but a few retired immediately. . . — Combs. 

When we got within the walls we were ordered to sit down. I lay in the lap of Mr. 
Gilpin a soldier of Captain Henry's Company from Woodford. A new scene com- 
menced. An Aborigine painted black mounted the delapidated wall and shot one of 
the prisoners next to him. He reloaded and shot a second, the ball passing through him 
and into the hip of another who afterwards died of the wound at Cleveland, I was 
informed. The savage then laid down his gun and drew his tomahawk with which he 
killed two others. When he drew his tomahawk and jumped down among the men they 
endeavored to escape from him by leaping over the heads of each other, thereby to place 
others between themselves and danger. Thus they were heaped upon one another and, 
as I did not rise, they trampled upon me so that I could see nothing that was going on. 
The confusion and uproar of this moment cannot be adequately described. There was 
an excitement among the Aborigines, and a fierceness in their conversation, which 
betokened on the part of some a strong disposition to massacre all of us. The British 
officers and soldiers seemed to interpose to prevent the further efiusion of blood. Their 
expression was Oh nichee wah! meaning. Oh, brother quit. After the one who had 
occasioned this horrible scene had scalped and stripped his victims he left us, and a 
comparative calm ensued. The prisoners resumed their seats on the ground. While 
thus situated a tall stout Aborigine walked into the midst of us, drew a long butcher 



TECUMSEH INTERFERES TO STOP MASSACRE. 329 



Unife from his belt and commiMicird whi-lting it. As he did so he looked around among 
the prisoners, apparently selecting one for the gratification of his vengeance. 
After exciting our fears sufliciently for his satisfaction, he gave a contemptuous grunt and 
went out. About this time, but whether before or after 1 do not distinctly recollect. 
Colonel Elliott and Tecumseh rode into the garrison [Kort Miami earthworks enclosure]. 
When Elliott came to where Thomas Moore of Clarke County stood, the latter enquired 
if it was compatible with the honor of a civilized nation, such as the British claimed to 
be. to suffer defenceless prisoners to be murdered by savages? Elliott desired to know 
who he was. Moore replied that he was nothing but a private in Captain Morrison's 
company: and the conversation ended. . . Elliott was an old man. His hair was 
more white than gray, and to my view he had more of the savage in his countenance 
than had Tecumseh. This celebrated chief was a noble, dignified personage. He wore 
an elegant broadsword, and was dressed in .-\borigine costume. His face was finely 
proportioned, his nose inclined to be aquiline, and his eyes displayed none of that savage 
and ferocious triumph common to the other Aborigines on that occasion. . . I saw 
him only en horseback. . . Upon the arrival of Elliott and Tecumseh we were 

directed to stand up and form in lines, I think 
four deep, in order to be counted. After we were 
thus arranged a scene transpired scarcely less 
affecting than that which I have before attempted 
faintly to describe. The .\borigines began to 
select the young men whom they intended to take 
with them to their towns. Numbers were taken. 
I saw Corporal Smith of our company bidding 
farewell to his friends, and pointing to the Ab<.- 
rigine with whom he was to go. I never heard 
of his return. The young men. learning their 
danger, endeavored to avoid it by crowding into 
the center where they could not be so readily 
reached. Owing to my wound I could not scufBe, 
and was thrust to the outside. An Aborigine 
^ "<w^^ ^mFm^^^'^ came up to me and gave me a piece of meat. I 

*f \ ./^.^J| _,-i ^3^^ ^^^^Kf^ took this for proof that he intended to take me 

with him. Thinking it the best policy to act with 
confidence, I made a sign to him to give me his 
butcher knife, which he did. I divided the meat 
with those who stood near me, reserving a small 
piece for mvself, more as a show of politeness to 
the savage than to gratify any appetite I had for 
it. .\fter I had eaten it and returned the knife, he 
turned and left me. When it was near night we 
were taken in open boats about nine miles down the river to the British shipping. On the 
day after, we were visited by the savages in their bark canoes in order to make a display 
of their scalps. These they strung on poles perhaps two inches in diameter and about 
eight feet high. The poles were set up perpendicularly in the bows of their canoes, and 
near the top the scalps were fastened. On some poles I saw four or five. Each scalp 
was drawn closely over a hoop about four inches in diameter, and the flesh side was 
painted red. . . We remained six days on board the vessel- those of us who were 
sick, or wounded. All were discharged on parole. . . The wounded and sick were 
taken in a vessel to the mouth of Vermillion River and there put on shore — Underwood. 
[Another report set them ashore at the mouth of Huron River, where General Harrison 
had them cared for and protected on their way home]. 




TECUMSEH 

In his dress as a Britisli officer. Boni near 
Chillicothe, Ohio (?) about 1770; was killed 
in llie Battle of the Thames October .">. 1SI3. 



550 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

• 

The victory obtained at the Miami [Maumee] was such as to reflect credit [sic] on 
every branch of the [British] service; but the satisfaction arising from the conviction 
was deeply embittered by an act of cruelty, which, as the writer of an impartial memoir, 
it becomes my painful duty to record. In the heat of the action a strong corps of the 
enemy, which had thrown down their arms and surrendered prisoners of war, were 
immediately dispatched under an escort of fifty men for the purpose of being embarked 
in the gun-boats, where it was presumed they would be safe from the attacks of the 
Aborigines. This measure, although dictated by the purest humanity, and apparently 
offering the most probable means of security, proved of fatal import to several of the 
prisoners. On reaching our encampment, then entirely deserted by the troops, they 
were met by a band of cowardly and treacherous Aborigines who had borne no share in 
the action, yet who now, guided by the savage instinct of their nature, approached the 
column and, selecting their victims, commenced the work of blood. In vain did the 
harassed and indignant escort endeavor to save them from the fury of their destroyers. 
The frenzy of these wretches knew no bounds, and an old and excellent soldier named 
Kussell. of the 41st, was shot through the heart while endeavoring to wrest a victim from 
the grasp of his murderer. 

Forty of these unhappy men bad already fallen beneath the steel of the infuriated 
party when Tecumseh, apprised of what was doing, rode up at full speed and, raising his 
tomahawk, threatened to destroy the first man who refused to desist. Even on those 
lawless people, to whom the language of coercion had hitherto been unknown, the threats 
and tone of the exasperated chieftian produced an instantaneous effect, and they retired 
at once humiliated and confounded.* 

The survivors of this melancholy catastrophe were immediately conveyed on board 
the gunboats, moored in the river, and every precaution having been taken to prevent a 
renewal of the scene, the escorting party proceeded to the interment of the victims, to 
wrhom the rites of sepulture were afforded, even before those of our own men who had 
fallen in the action. Colonel Dudley, second in command of General Clay's division, 
was among the number of the slain. 

On the evening of the second day after this event I accompanied Major Muir, of 
the 41st [British Regiment] in a ramble throughout the encampment of the Aborigines, 
distant some few hundred yards from our own. The spectacle there offered to our view 
was at once of the most ludicrous and revolting nature. In various directions were lying 
the trunks and boxes taken from the boats of the American division, and the plunderers 
were busily occupied in displaying their riches, carefully examining each article, and 
attempting to define its use. Several were decked out in the uniforms of officers; and 
although embarrassed to the last degree in their movements, and dragging with difficulty 
the heavy military boots with which their legs were for the first time covered, strutted 
forth much to the admiration of their less fortunate comrades. Some were habited in 
plain clothes ; others had their bodies clad with clean white shirts, contrasting in no 
ordinary manner with the swarthiness of their skins ; all wore some articles of decoration, 
and their tents were ornamented with saddles, bridles, rifles, daggers, swords and pistols, 



*A letter from William G. Ewing to John H. James, Esq., of Urbana, Ohio, as quoted in Drake's Li/e 
of Tecumseh, reads that Tecumseh . . . spranjx from his horse, caught one savage by the throat and 
another by the breast, and threw them to the ground. Drawing his tomahawk and scalping knife he ran 
in between the .Americans and savages, brandishing them with the fury of a madman, and daring anyone 
of the hundreds that surrounded him to attempt to murder another American. They all appeared con- 
founded, and immediately desisted. His mind appeared rent with passion, and he exclaimed almost 
with tears in his eyes, ' Oh ! what will become of my .aborigines ?' He then demanded in an authoritative 
tone where Proctor was; but casting his eyes upon him at a short distance, sternly in-juired why he had 
not put a stop to the inhuman massacre? Sir. said Proctor, your Aborigines cannot be commanded. 
Begone I retorted Tecumseh with the greatest disdain, you are unlit to command : go and put on petticoats I 



BRITISH ACCOUNT OF SAVAGES EATING AMERICANS. 531 

many of which were handsomely mounted and of curious workmanship. Such was the 
ridiculous pari of the picture. 

But, mingled with these, and in various directions, were to be seen the scalps of the 
slain drying in the sun, stained on the flesh side with vermilion dyes, and dangling in air 
as they hung suspended from poles to which they were attached, together with hoops of 
various sizes on which were stretched portions of human skin taken from various parts of 
the human body, principally the hand and foot and yet covered with the nails of those 
parts ; while scattered along the ground were visible the members from which they had 
been separated, and which were serving as nutriment to the wolf-dogs by which the sav- 
ages were accompanied. 

As we continued to advance into the heart of the encampment a scene of a more 
disgusting nature arrested our attention. Stopping at the entrance of a tent occupied by 
the Minoumini [Menomeni] tribe we observed them seated around a large fire over which 
was suspended a kettle containing their meal. liach warrior had a piece of string hanging 
over the edge of the vessel, and to this was suspended a food which, it will be presumed 
we heard not without loathing, consisted of a part of an American. Any expression of 
our feelings, as we declined the invitation they gave us to join in their repast, would have 
been resented by the savages without ceremony ; we had, therefore, the prudence to 
excuse ourselves under the plea that we had already taken our food, and we hastened to 
remove from a sight so revolting to humanity. . . Major Richardson, of the list 

British Regiment. 

This description dors not accord with tlu- previous stati'iiu-nt that 
the British buried tlie Annrican dead before their own diad. Doubt- 
less the savages took all the bodies of the Americans they desired as 
food, for themselves and their dogs before the burying began. Another 
report reads that parts of the large, muscular Colonel Dudley was one 
of those eaten by the cannibals. (See rejiort on a later i)agc of the 
number of fragmentary bodies afterwards foimd and luiried by the 
Americans). The foregoing statements by Major Richardson, Cai)tain 
Combs, and Lieutenant Underwood, corroborate the testimony of many 
witiussts heretofore mentioned, and of many yet to be mentioned, that 
the British authorities did not discourage the inhumanities of their 
savage allies: but that many encouraged their savagery — were even 
tutors of the .\borigines to make their acts more poignant to the 
Americans ! 

The 4th of May was a sad day at Fort Meigs on account of this, 
the third great loss suffered by the Army of the Northw-est in less than 
one year after the beginning of the War of 1812. General Harrison, 
from his outlook, saw the beginning of the fatal error of Colonel Dud- 
ley's doomed troops. He signaled, repeating his former command to 
come at once to the Fort, but his signals were lost to the enthusiastic 
men whose excessive ardor . . always the case when Kentuckv 
militia were engaged . . was the source of all their misfortunes'* 
A volunteer was called for to convev to Colonel Dudlev the 



* From General Harrison's General Orders, May 9. 1S13. 



552 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

imperative command of the General to retreat to the Fort. Lieutenant 
Campbell res])onded : but he arrived near the farther shore too late. 

The soldiers in the other six boats of the reinforcing Kentuckians 
met with better success. General Clay's boat, containing beside him- 
self Captain Peter Dudley and fifty men, was separated by the swollen 
rapid current from the other five after the detachment of Colonel Wil- 
liam Dudley's command, and was carried further down the stream than 
the others before a landing could be effected: and landing on the right 
shore opjiosite Hollister Island, notwithstanding opposition of savages 
who policed the shores and roads leading to the Fort, General Clay 
led the soldiers to the Fort without loss of life; but their boat contain- 
ing four sick soldiers and their baggage became separated from them 
and was secured by the savages. Colonel William E. Boswell com- 
manding the other five boats landed at Turkey Point above, formed 
his men in open order, rapidly crossed the flood-jilain intervening, 
charged the savages who were firing on them from among the trees of 
the slopes and, being reinforced by Majors Alexander and Johnson's 
commands, and the companies of Captains Nearing and Dudley sent 
out of the Fort by General Harrison, they drove the savages, though 
superior to them in numbers, half a mile into the woods. General 
Harrison seeing from his high point of observation that they were going 
too far and that the British and their main body of savage allies nearest 
the Fort desired to involve them in a dangerous ambuscade, at once 
sent a volunteer, John T. Johnson, to recall them with imperative 
orders. Johnson started on this perilous mission on horseback and 
succeeded, notwithstanding the killing of his horse by the enemy. 
General Harrison also ordered John Miller, a native of Ohio and Col- 
onel of United States troops, to sally from the Fort and do what he 
could, safely, to attract the enemy's attention. Three hundred and 
fifty soldiers, regulars and Captain Uriel Sebree's company of Ken- 
tuckv militia, were hastily chosen, and they were soon impetuously 
charging the battery nearest the Fort. The enemy at that point, esti- 
mated at eight hundred and fifty British and savages, were driven back 
into the ravine, their cannon were spiked and, before the enemy could 
rally in force, the victorious Americans returned to the Fort with forty- 
three prisoners. This brilliant sortie resulted, however, in the loss of 
twenty-eight Americans killed and twenty-five wounded. Captain 
Sebree's company would have been entirely cut off but for the timely 
charge against four times their number of investing enemy by Lieu- 
tenant Gwinn's squad from the 19th United States regiment.* 



'■' At this moment a white flag was observed waving on the ramparts of the Fort, and the courage and 
perserverance of the [British! troops appeared about to be crowned with the surrender of the fortress, 
the siege of which iiad cost them so much toil and privation. Such, however, was far from being the 



THE RAISING OF THE SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. 555 

l'"<)ll()\viiiu lliL'Sf (.'ntjaKemcnts Gi-iur;il Proctor a>;ain sent Major 
Chanihcrs with a white tlatj to lUniaiul tliat General Harrison sur- 
render. The replv was such as to indicate that the demand was 
considered as an insult. Wtien this reply was received by the 
British coniniander he befian prei)arations to raise the sieffe. His 
efforts to remove his siejfe Ki'ns, however, were delayed by the 
American cannon, although liis gunboats were taken as near Fort 
Meigs as ]iracticabU- to divert their attention. The last shot from the 
boats killed several .Vniericans, including Lieutenant Robert Walker of 
the Pittsburg Blues. In his report to Governor Sir George Prevost, 
General Proctor wrote regarding his raising the siege as follows: 

I liad not the ojjtion oi retaining my position on the Miami [Maumee]. 
Hall of the militia had left us. . . Before the ordinance could be 
withdrawn Ironi the batteries I was left with Tecumst-h and less than 
twenty chiels and warriors — a circumstance which strongly proves that, 
under present circumstances at least, our .Vborigine force is not a dis- 
posable one, or permanent, though occasionally a most ])owerful 
aid." . . Notwithstanding this. Governor Prevost was led by a 
later re])ort, and i)erhai>s by his own want of accuracy of statement, to 
proclaim that the battles on the Maumee terminated in the complete 
defeat of the enemy, and capture, dispersion, or distruction of thirteen 
hundred men.' The British loss was reported as fifteen killed, forty- 
seven wounded, and fortv-four taken prisoners. The Americans ac- 
knowledged a loss of eighty-one killed and one hundred and eighty- 
nine wounded, of which number seventeen were killed and sixty-five 
wounded within the enclosure. 

Proctor made a jiroposition to exchange the American prisoners 
for the Aborigines of the frontiers who were not prisoners of the United 
States but nominally friends. Whether he made this proposal for an 
insult, or for the purpose of recruiting his allies, is known only to him- 
self. General Harrison, through courtesy, told him he would refer the 
subject to the President — M'Afee, page 272. 

The savages kept between thirty and forty American prisoners, 



intentions of General Harrison. Availing himself of the cessation of hostilities which necessarily en- 
sued, he caused Lieutenants M'lntyre and Hailes and the privates he had just captured to be sent 
across the river for the purpose of beinn exchaneed ; but this was only a feint for the accomplishment of 
a more important object. Drawinp up his whole force, cavalry and infantry, on the plain beneath the 
fortress, he caused such of the boats of General Clay's division as were laden with ammunition, in which 
the garrison stood in much need, to be dropped under the works, and the stores immediately disembarked. 
All this took place in the period occupied for the exchance of prisoners. The remaining boats [probably 
those lost of Colonel Dudley's command and one of General Clay's, are here referred to) containing 
the private baggage and stores of the division, fell into the hands of the .aborigines still engaged in the 
pursuit of the fugitives, and the plunder they acquired was immense. General Harrison having secured 
his stores, and received the officers and men exchanged for his captives, withdrew into the garrison, 
and the bombardment was recommenced — From the British Major Richardson's account, published in 
the London New Monthly Magazine for December, 1826. 



354 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

concralini; them after the battle, and hurrying them away the next day. 
The main body of savages now retired, temporarily, from the British 
command on account of their being tired of the continued siege, and 
sated with tluir butchery and booty from strijiping the captured Ken- 




View Northeast from the Grand Traverse of Fort Meigs Isl December, 1902. Perrysbure at ex- 
treme riybt, Evvinc Island in middle distance, and site of Fort Miami beyond and left of the center. 

tuckians. An ignoble part of the character of Tecumseh is demon- 
strated bv his continued adherence to Proctor, probably not from any 
valid respect for the man but for the emolument he might receive. 
General Proctor, on giving up the siege, returned with his remaining 
force to Amherstburg ( Maiden) where he disbanded the militia. The 
savages remained near enough to receive regular rations ; and some of 
them were constantly em])loyed as spies. 

General Harrison on May 9th, immediately after the departure of 
the enemy, sent out a detachment to gather all the bodies of the killed 
that could be found — and the search was successful; but general muti- 
lations marked the work of the savages. The indifference or oversight 
of the British in their nominal burying of the dead of Colonel Dudley's 
command, in contradiction to Major Richardson's statement, was shown 
by finding fragments of forty-five Kentuckians, which the Americans 
conveyed across the river and buried with the honors of war like the 
others near Fort Meigs.* 



* These different burial places are indicated on the ground plan of Fort and Camp Meies ante page 
316. These graves remain without monument up to the time of this writing (summer of 1904) but the 
Maumee Vclley Pioneer and Historical Society [organized May 7, 18G-1; reorganized and incorporated in 
1802) has taken up the work of the extinct Maumee Valley Monument Association (incorporated July 28, 



NAMES OF SOLDIERS PROTECTING FORT MEIGS. 335 



111 his niiorts of the siene to the Secretary of War, GeniTal Har- 
rison descriliid tin- ein-mv and mentioned the savages as the most 
efficient forci'. He commendid the efficiency of his entire l)esieKed 
force, and made special mention of Colonel John Miller and Major Todd 
of the I'.Hh l\(i;iment l'nit<d States Infantry; Major J-iall ol the dra- 
goons and Major Sodwick, Colonel Mills and Major Kitzer of tht- Ohio 
Militia, and Major Johnson of the Kentucky Militia, and Adjutant 
Brown: Cai)tains Ivleazer D. Wood, Enjfineer, Gratiot and Cashing 
of the Artillery; Mr. Timherlee and sergeants Henderson, Tommes 
and Meldrum, each in charge of Battery or Blockhouse; Captain 

Scbree's company ol Keiituckv Mili- 
tia; the Pittsburg Blues undir I^ieu- 
teiiant M'Gee ; the I^ittsburg V'olun- 
tei^rs and Lieutenant Drum's detach- 
ment: Cai>tains Croghan, Bradford, 
I^angham, I'^lliott, Ni'ring, and their 
drlachmcnts of tin 17th and I'Jth 
Regiments: Lieutenants Cam]>bi-ll, 
(iwinn, Lee, Kercheval and Rees : 
I'^nsigns She]), flawkins, Harrison, 
Mitchell and Stockton: To General 
Clay, Colonel Boswell, Major 
Fletcher, Captains iJudles', Simons 
and Medcalf, Kentuckians. Also to 
members of his Staff, Major Hukill 
Aick-de-camp, Acting Insjiector Gen- 
eral, Major Graham Aide-de-camp, 
J. Johnson, Esq., volunteer Aide-de- 
camp, Lieutenant John O' Fallon 
Acting Assistant Adjutant General, 
and Deputy Ouartermastcr Eubank. 
The injuries received by the Fort during the siege were carefull}' 
examined by the Generals and Engineers, and methods of repairs and 
strengthening devices were discussed and the work at once entered upon. 
Leaving General Clay in command of Fort Meigs, General Har- 
rison started eastward with an escort of cavalry ( mounted riflemen ) 
under Captain Robert M'Afee. He arrived at Lower Sandusky (now 
Fremont, Ohio) May 1:2th and there met Governor Meigs with a strong 




GENERAL CIREEN CLAV 

Horn 14 AuKUst, 17.'»7, in Powhatan C^onnly 
Virginia. Died :J1 October, 1H36. in Kentucky.' 



1885) and in October. 1903, purchased eight and fifty-five one-bundredths acres of land embracing the 
burial ground of the Kentuckians. Communications have been had with the Governors and Legislatures 
of Kentucky and Ohio and. notwithstanding present disappoinltTients. strong hopes are entertained that 
not only a monument will eventually be built on this ground, but that all the liistoric places along the 
Maumee River will be purchased and appropriately marked. 

' From Harpers Encyclopedia of United States History. Copyright, 1901, by Harper & Brothers. 



336 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

force of Ohio volunteers who were hastening to reinforce Fort Meigs 
in answer to the message carried by Peter Navarre. The army not 
being pr< i>ared for an advance against the enemy, these troops were 
returned southward to conserve food supplies. After providing for a 
continued careful watch of the south shore of Lake Erie, General Har- 
rison went southward to further provide for the defenses, and for the 
advance. 

We catch glimpses of the soldiers' later experiences within the for- 
tiliitl encampniL-nt at Fort Meigs from the manuscript Book of Gener- 
al Orders' kept by Adjutant Samuel Bayless, who also served as Judge 
Advocate in court martials, viz:* On May lath a Regimental Court 
Martial composed of Captains Patrick Shaw, Nathan Hatfield and 
Theophilus Simonton, sat in trial of Samuel Stewart, charged by 
Major Anthonv Pitzer with exi^loding a bombshell in camp on the 11th. 
This was probably one of tlu- British shells that lodged in the camp 
during the siege. Alexander Tucker, J. Boggs, and E. Sprig, were 
sworn but their evidence not being explicit against the defendant, he 
was declared not guilty, and James Mills, Colonel 1st Regiment, 3rd 
Department Ohio Militia, approved the finding. May •24 th James Kelley 
Corporal in Captain Simonton's company was charged before a court 
composed of Major J. Lodwick and Captains P. Shane and N. Hatfield 
'with having suffered public whiskey to be used from the barrel under 
his charge on the night of the 22nd inst.' The testimony of J. Davis, 
the onlv witness, was not strong enough to convict, and the accused 
was declared not guilty. A garrison order with date May 24, 1813, 
reads that "The commandants of the different corps at this place will 
make out and deliver to Major Pondell, Acting Adjutant General, 
complete returns of their respective commands on the 5th day of June 
ensuing, for the month of May, instant. Fighting is especially forbid- 
den after this date unless authorized. Every soldier shall be entitled 
to one gill of whiskey for every cannon ball or bomb [British] he may 
find and deliver to Captain Cushing or Lieutenant Hawkins. [Signed] 
John Miller, Colonel Nineteenth Regiment Infantry, Commandant." 
|une 4th first Sergeant John Haines complained to a court martial of 
abusive language used to him by private Galloway. The accused plead 
guilty and was sentenced to 'parade with the general fatigue on the 
5th and 6th inst. and do that duty faithfully these two days.' Sergeant 
Haines also complained, June 26th, of Thomas Gregory for using to- 
ward him allusive and threatening language. The accused plead not 
guilty but. on testimony of Adam Stonebraker and Robert Jordan he 
was declared guilty and sentenced ' to acknowledge his fault to and 



♦ See Knapp's History of The Maumee Valley, pa^e 179 e( sequentia. 



BRITISH GATHER MORE SAVAGES. SUPPLIES. 



557 



ask fortiivciuss of liis Ordi rl\ Sirm ant in iiri'Sfncc of tlit liattalion, or 
l>r coniinllcd to no on lati};ur lor tlirii.' ilays and lie put in thc' ^nard 
house each nifflit, at his option; and tliat this sintincc shall he read on 
battalion parade by the Adjutant this evening.' 

rroctor's and Ticiimsch's emissaries to the distant tribes of 
Aborigines had K-'thered lart^e numbers of them, and in June, 1H18, 
ovir one thousaiul of the most savasje and dejiraved were marched from 
thiir rende/.\'ous at Cliicaj,fo to AndurstluuL; liy thi'ir chiefs and a 
Scotch trader, Dickson. Colonel Richard M. Johnson, who had left 
Contjress and organized a regiment of seven himdred mounted Ken- 
tuckians, was directed to move around the h( adwaters of the Aujjlaise 
and Maumee. About the time of the i)assinti of thest- savages through 
southern Michij^an Colonel Johnson was circulating through northern 
Indiana, meeting and dispersing savages near Fort Wayne and to the 
northwest with the noted French-Shawnee Anthony Shane as one of 
his scouts; but he did not learn of his nearness to the route of the 
western savages until later and far distant. 

Meantime supplies were being hastened forward with good success* 
and everything seemed favorable to an early advance of the army, when 
General Harrison received at Franklington an express from General 



* Report of Provisions Remaining at Diffkrent Posts on the Center and Left Wings of the 

Northwestern Army (the Purchases of John H. Piatt Deputy Purchasing 

Commissary) on the S-Jth Day of June. 1813. 



Names of Posts. 


3.2 

33 S, 


■3 

3.2 

an 


1) 
in".- 

Si 


■A ^ 
3m 
ai« 


3S 

mo. 


w . 
•V c 
c o 

3 O 
O rt 

p.a 


o o 

mm 


>: c 

o n 

mu 


u 
ra 

3 

X 


Fort Winchester, 


1,2119 




24- 


119 


13 


20,000 


10 


18 


t 


Jennincs. 


36 




3;= 


l.i 




600 




1 


Good Order 


.^niaiida. 


4(X1 


20 


e9 


4.T 




IIO.CXX) 


14 


23 




•• Barbee. 


KHi 


Ki 


9 


'; 




H,0<KI 


3 


6 




" Loramie. 


1,.590 




\hS 




1.'. 




.T 


5 




Greenville, 




»1 








IS,360 








Pi.Hia, 


:H3 




2X 


(i 




1,200 


8 


4 




" Dayton, 


mi 




2.1 


3 




4,000 


6 


4 




" Fimllay, 


W 




30 


M 




500 


28 






" M'Artliur, 


Km 




43 


14 






31 


12 






4,422 


193 


8075^ 


252 J^ 


28 


162,660 


95 


73 





t Part of the flour damaged, beini: sunk in the river after leaving Amanda and St. Marys, and for 
the want vf proper care after it arrived at Fort Winchester. At all of the above mentioned Posts I have 
appointed Issuing Commissaries, agreeably to your Excellency's IGovernor Meics) order, at thirty 
dollars per month, who will take every necessary care until your excellency may think proper to give 
the Provisions into the hands of the contractors. (SJgnedl John H. Piatt ~ American State Papers, 
Military Affairs, volume i. page 653. 

General Clay, writing at Fort Meigs^to General Harrison under date 20th June. 4 days before the 
above inventory, states that . . *' By different detachments sent from this place, we have received 
from Fort Winchester about one thou'^and and two hundred barrels of flour, including that escorted 
from IFortI Ainanda by Ensign Gray." 



538 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASfN. 

Clav informing him that a Frenchman whom the British captured at 
Dudley's defeat had escaped from Amherstliurg and informed him that 
Proctor was preparing for a second attack on Fort Meigs with an 
increased force: and that he, Clay, had ordered to Fort Meigs Colonel 




FORT MEIGS AND FORTU'IEU ENCAMPMENT 
Photoiiiaph of the large wall painting in the upper hall of Wood County's new Court House. Bowling 
Green. Ohio. This painting is evidently not a fair portrayal of this important fortress. The blockhouses 
are not of sufficient height, nor is the contour cf the river-bluft satisfactory. Other criticisms can 
readily be named from descriptions on other pages. The logs at the base of the palisade were hollow 
and tilled with stone and gravel: and were held in place by ropes which were to be cut to let the logs roll 
upon and overwhelm the army attempting to capture the Fort by assault. Built from February to May, 
1813. Besieged by British and Aborigines 1st to Hth May. inclusive, and by feint 35th to 27th July. 1813. 
.Abandoned by United States soldiers I.^th May. l.'^l.^. 

R. M. Johnson's regiment, then at Fort Winchester after guarding 
boatloads of supplies from Forts Barbee, Wayne and Amanda. 

Colonel Johnson, upon receiving General Clay's dispatch in the 
afternoon, although his horses were all much worn and some disabled 
by their continuous marchings, gave orders for the march down the 
Maumee, and within half an hour most of the force began to ford the 
river just above Fort Defiance point, leaving those unable to march, 
with the garrison of Fort Winchester. The provisions and baggage in 
the boats soon followed the cavalcade and all stopped for the night at 
General Winchester Camp Number Three. Early next morning the 
forward movement was resumed, and they arrived at Grand Rapids at 
five o'clock that evening. Here finother dispatch was received from 



GOOD CONDITION OF FORT MEIGS. 

I 



339 



Cninr;il Cla\ , caulioninK aKii'"st aml)usc;Kii-s hy sava^i'S who wltc 
lyiiiU in wait hy thuir course. This iiifonnation was comiminicatitl to 
the soldiers, who secondfd the desire to ])rocied notwithstanding the 
savages. .\ guard was left at Grand Rai>ids with the boats which were 




SITE OF FORT MKIGS FROM OPPOSITE SIUE OF RIVER. 

Looking' east across the Mauniee River Valley I3th November, I9l)2. from above the sites of the 
British Batteries. The Fort and Encampment extended alone the hiyh bank from near the richt side of 
view to the bluff of the broad erosion of the creek in the central distance. • Note the flood plain ' bottom 
land' under the bluft". Bridge and PerrysbnrB in the left distance. The upright poles on the 
proximal side of the river mark the course of the Manmee \'allev Electric Railwav built in 1901. 

to continue the journey at daylight the next morning, and the main 
body resumed the march, arriving opposite Fort Meigs at ten o'clock 
and there encamped for the night on the lower land. The Fort's day- 
light gun so frightened the horses that they ran through the camp, and 
over several of the soldiers hurting them severeh-, and continued to run 
down the river for a half mile or more, being caught after much trouble 
and risk. About ten o'clock the order of march was given and, passing 
above the foot of the rapids, the Maumee was forded, and the regiment 
encamped just above Fort Meigs in a handsome jilain clothed with 
blue grass' — M'Afee. 

Fort Meigs was now in better condition for defense than before 
its siege. The damages done b\' the British guns had been repaired, 
the trees, logs, and stumps, had been cleared awav for a greater distance, 
and the British batterj- mounds leveled. Better drainage and sanitary 
conveniences had also been established. The garrison had suffered much 
sickness, and durin.g June and July intermittent and virulent remittent 



540 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

fevers prevailed which, with dysentery and other complications, proved 
verj' fatal. Several soldiers died each day and night for some length of 
time ; and the aggregate number increased to over one hundred deaths 
in a period of six weeks. 

The 24th Regiment United States Infantry under Colonel Ander- 
son was hurried forward from Upjier Sandusky, also Major George 
Croghan with part of the 17th Regiment, and Colonel Ball with his s(]uad 
of cavalry. General Harrison also started northward and, overtaking 
Colonel Anderson the evening of June 26th, detached three hundred 
soldiers to make a forced march to Fort Meigs on account of being 
informed that savages were gathering below the fort. Finding quiet 
prevailing along the Lake to the eastward, General Harrison proceeded 
to Fort Meigs where he arrived the 28th to find that Colonel Johnson 
had recently arrived. A detachlnent of one hundred and fifty from this 
regiment under Colonel Johnson in person was ordered to reconnoiter 
the country to the River Raisin, which they did without discovering 
any of the enemy; but their march temporarily thwarted the designs of 
a ])artv of savages who had started from .\mherstburg to harass the 
.\mericans wherever possible. 

The extent of frontier under the surveillance of General Harrison 
was great; and it required constant watchfulness and great executive 
ability to guard against invasion and to gather, and keep, the means 
for the desired advance against the enemy. The 1st July the General 
again went eastward to arrange the defenses and garrisons along the 
Lake to the Cuyahoga River. He directed Colonel Johnson to take 
post at the Huron River. On the Colonel's way thither he arrived at 
Fort Stephenson the 4th of July where the soldiers of that garrison 
were celebrating this National Holiday and, upon urgent request, he 
delivered a stirring address. At Fort Meigs, also, there was a grateful 
celebration of this day as expressed in the following General Order, viz: 

Camp Meigs, July 4, 181.S. 

The General commanding announces to the troops under his command the return 
of this day, which gave liberty and independence to the United States of America; and 
orders that a national salute be fired under the superintendence of Captains Gratiot and 
Gushing. All the troops reported fit for duty shall receive an extra gill of whisky. And 
those in confinement and those under sentence attached to the corps, be forthwith released 
and ordered to join their respective corps. 

The General is induced to use this lenience alone from consideration of the ever 
memorable day, and flatters himself that in future the soldiers under his command will 
better appreciate their liberty by a steady adherence to duty and prompt compliance with 
the orders of their officers by which alone they are worthy to enjoy the blessings of that 
liberty and independence, the only real legacy left us by our fathers. All courts martial 
now constituted in this camp are hereby dissolved. There will be no fatigue this day. 

[Signed] Robert Butler, A. Adjt. Gen, 



FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS. FORT SENECA. 341 

And so at the ditliii-nt military posts in this Basin thu hearts of 
thi- solclitrs wt-rc chccTL-d, and they were made more contented with 
their condition, by these simiile yet effective celebrations in the forest 
that gave a renewed and a broader significance to their service. 

The term of enlistment of some of the soldiers at Camp Meigs 
having expired, a little diversion was planned to start them homeward 
with good cheer. General Clay, therefore, issued the following Gen- 
eral Order, with date July Sth, viz: 'The commanding General 
directs that the Old Guard, on being released, will march out of camp 
and discharge their guns at a target placed in some secure position: 
and as a reward tor those who may excel in shooting, eight gills of 
whiskey will be given to the nearest shot, and four gills to the second. 
The officer of the guard will cause a return, signed for that purpose, 
signifying the names of the men entitled to the reward.' 

The savages were becoming more numerous and troublesome along 
the Maumee River. Fourteen soldiers whose term of enlistment had 
expired at Fort Meigs, desired to return home on foot by way of Fort 
Winchester. They were attacked by savages a few miles above Fort 
Meigs and but two escaped. Eighteen cavalrymen under Lieutenant 
Craig while passing up the river to guard some flour at the Grand Rapids, 
were attacked by these savages. A retreat was ordered, and obeyed 
by all but three men who pursued the enemy. One of these three, 

Wyant by name, wounded a savage who seemed likely to escape 

until he dismounted, followed him through the close brush where he 
was conquered and his weapons were taken as trophies. For this 
courageous act Wyant was promoted to the rank of Ensign : while 
Lieutenant Craig was cashiered by a court martial. 

Colonel Johnson continued his march to the Huron I^iver; but, not- 
withstanding the mischief liable to be done by the War Department giving 
orders for the field, he was ordered bv this Department to proceed at once 
to the protection of the Illinois and Missouri Territories against the 
same savages that Trader Dickson had brought to Detroit. This fact 
being presented to the Department at Washington by General Harrison, 
Colonel Johnson was recalled after he had well advanced southwestward. 

The General had, before leaving Franklinton now Columbus, 
Ohio, again held a council with the Delaware, Seneca, Shawnee, and 
Wyandot Aliorigines remaining accessible to him, some of them being 
reported as desirous of going to the British. In order to more carefully 
stimulate and guard their constancy to the United States he established 
headquarters at the Seneca town on the Sandusky River, nine miles 
al:)0ve Lower Sandusky and nine miles below Fort Hall on the site of 
the present Tiffin, Ohio, and there he built Fort Seneca during the 
middle and latter part of July. 



342 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

About this time General Proctor started from Amherstburg, and 
the 20th July he arrived at the mouth of the Maumee River with an 
army estimated to number at least five thousand : and the next morning 
a picket guard of a corporal and ten soldiers about three hundred yards 
from Fort Meigs were surprised by savages and all but three were 
killed or captured. The number of savages now with the British was 
evidently greater than they had ever before gathered ; and it was prob- 
ably one of the greatest collections of such warriors ever assembled in 
America — the number being variously estimated at from two to four 
thousand. M'Afee records the number of warriors as about two thous- 
and and five hundred, and the number of Aborigines fed each day by 
the British from Amherstburg as seven thousand including the women 
and children. It was also reported that there were with the regulars 
and militia from Amherstburg, one thousand British regulars from 
Niagara. The savage allies of the British succeeded in capturing some 
horses and oxen belonging to Fort Meigs, but their shots were not 
effective on the garrison. 

After midnight Lieutenant Montjox' with twenty United States 
troops arrived at the Fort from the Portage River blockhouse, having 
escaped the savages with the loss of one man. General Clay at once 
sent Captain M'Cune of the Ohio militia to inform General Harrison of 
the approach of the enemy. This messenger was returned to Fort 
Meigs to report that reinforcements would soon be forthcoming, and 
with repeated caution to guard against surprise. Lieutenant Colonel 
George Paul with his United States Infantry and Colonel Ball with his 
dragoons, together numbering four hundred and fifty, were ordered 
forward; also Brigadier Generals M'Arthurand Cass (who had recently 
been promoted) with their Ohio troops. Five hundred additional 
United States troops were approaching from Fort Massac under 
Colonel Theodore Deye Owings (Owens?). These, with the one hun- 
dred and forty regulars who were building Fort Seneca and those at 
Forts Stephenson and Meigs, would have been a sufficient number for 
the defense of these posts and lines had they arrived in time. 

On July 23rd General Clay again sent Captain M'Cune with report 
that a collection of about eight hundred savages were passing up the 
opposite (left) bank of the Maumee, possibly to attack Fort Winchester. 
General Harrison believed, correctly, that this movement was only a 
feint but, after a council with his staff, scouts were sent out, and 
M'Cune was again sent back to Fort Meigs with this information and 
with further precautionary suggestions regarding the wily enemv. The 
sequel proved the wisdom of the Commander-in-Chief. Accompanied 
by James Doolan a French-Irish Canadian, M'Cune arrived near the 
Fort about davbreak, they having lost their way in the night. At the 



SECOND INVESTMENT OF FORT MEIGS BY BRITISH. 345 

<-d)jfc o( tile Fort's clearing tin y were beset l>y savauos, who wort' also 
on liorsihack, and win- |)iirsufd several niili s up the river. Coinin(j to 
a dei'p ravine they intered it and passed out its mouth and alon>{ the 
narrow h)wland until tluir course was impeded hy the river. They 
ritraced tluir course and iound that the savages had turned ui> the 
ravine. This (.nahled them to t;ain u])on their pursuers who, however, 
with their unwearied horses retrained ui)on them the distance lost in the 
ravine. Whi'U a^ain closely pressed tluv turiU'd to tlu- ri^ht into a 
thicket. The savages thinkinjf to jjain h\' turning amon^ thi' bushes at 
onci', the pursui'd turned at once to the clearing' and were thus enabled 
to arrive under the ))rotection ot the .t;uns of the Fort. The pursuers, 
evidently desirini; to cai)ture them alive to be questioned by the Hritish, 
had not befori' this time discharjiid their suns at them, and now their 
bullets were non-effective. The report to the si'arrison was that 
General Harrison had as yet no troops to spare, but upon the arrival ot 
the expected forces he would move to the supjjort of the Fort if 
ni'cessary. 

The evening of July 24th Colonel Gaines with two hundred soldiers 
made a detour of the edge of the woods from Fort Miigs to reconnnoiter 
the enemv and any batteries they might be constructing. A stronger 
detachment was started from the British encamjiment to intercei)t his 
return, but it did not arrive in time for an engagement. The 1-iritish 
movi'd their main force to the right bank of the river on the 2r)th, but 
did not approach within good range of the Fort's cannon. 

Proctor and Tecumseh formulated an ingenious strategic i)lan for 
the capture of Fort Meigs at night with little fighting. The Hritish 
secreted themselves in the deep ravine near the Fort to the eastward. 
Tecumseh, with a large number of savages opened a brisk sham battle 
along the road to Lower Sandusky as near the Fort as practicable, to 
make it appear to the garrison that they were attacking an .American 
force coming to reinforce the Fort. This ruse was for the jniriiose of 
drawing the garrison from the Fort when the British, as with Colonel 
Dudley's command, would cut off their return and leave them to be 
surrounded and massacred by the horde of savages while they would 
enter the gates under cover of the darkness take the garrison by surprise 
and thus capture the Fort. Many of the garrison desired to sallv forth 
and succor their supposed hard-pressed comrades, but the firmness of 
General Clay, supported by the memorv of repeated cautionings of his 
Commander-in-chief, prevailed. Rain, and several discharges of 
cannon from the Fort, soon put a stop to the sham battle.* The enemy 
departed from Fort Meigs ,|ul\ 'JTth without further effort to mislead or 

* See account of the British Major Richardson in the London New Monthly Magazine for Decem- 
ber, 1826. .Mso Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio. 



544 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

capture the garrison, having been in its vicinity about thirty hours.* 
After leaving Fort Meigs for the second time, part of the British 
force sailed around through Lake Erie, through Sandusky Bay and up 
the Sandusky River to Fort Stephenson, expecting to find it an easy 
prey. Upon their arrival they found it already invested by their allies, 
the savages who had marched across from Fort Meigs. Here was 
another illustration of the good grasp of the general situation and the 
excellent judgment displayed by General Harrison. He did not expect, 
nor fear, that the enemy would expend much more effort for the capture 
of Fort Meigs, but he did expect them to direct their energies to the 
Right Wing of his defenses which possessed large stores and were not 
so strongly fortified. Their investment of Fort Stephenson the first 
and second days of August, and their repulse by that garrison of but 
one hundred and sixty men with but one small cannon under the 
brilliant, young (about twenty-one years of age) courageous and most 
patriotic Captain (afterwards Major) George Croghan, nephew of Gen- 
eral William Clark, is one of the most remarkable events in the War of 
[m'l. It was preposterous to presume that such small garrison in such 
weak fortification could withstand such a large, well-equipped, and 
experienced investing force ; hence General Harrison had ordered young 
Croghan to burn the small amount of stores with the Fort, and take 
the garrison to Fort Seneca if the enemy approached : but Captain 
Croghan was surrounded by savages before the British advanced up the 
Sandusky River, and he with his garrison preferred to die, if die they 
must, at their post rather than be massacred by the savages in an effort 
to escape. This determination, and their alertness and good judgment 
to take advantage of every opijortunity, led to one of the most brilliant 
victories of American arms, with the loss of but one man killed and 
seven slightly wounded while inflicting a loss on the enemy of one 
hundred and twentv. Late in the afternoon of August 1st the British 
troops and gunboats came within sight of Fort Stephenson. They had 
made sure against retreat of the garrison, and to intercept reinforce- 
ments. Captain Croghan was summoned to surrender, but replied that 
he and the garrison were determined to defend the Fort. After some 
parleying by the British with efforts to intimidate, their cannon and 
howitzers for twentv-four hours threw balls and shells with little effect 



* The report to the Department of War for July. I8I3. which is the only one showini; stations of 
troops in the Eighth Military District now on file there tor that year, shows the followini! named troops 
at Camp Meiijs, viz: Captain Cushine's Artillery; Colonel Miller's 17th and 19th Reeiments Infantry; 
Colonel Anderson's 24th Reeiment Infantry; Captain Butler's Volunteers; and Lieutenant Mills' Ohio 
Militia. The book entitled Official Letters of the Military and Naval Officers of the United States 
During the War with Great Britain in the years 1812 to 1815. collected and arranged by John Brannan, 
contains all that is found of record in the War Department recardini; the losses in the Siege of Fort Meias, 
as given on preceding pages. See also the American State Papers. Military Affairs; Niless Register: 
and Lossine's Field Book of the War of 1812. 



BRILLIANT BRITISH REPULSE AT FORT STEPHENSON. 345 

until tluv coiicrntialitl on tin- iiorthwvsl an^lc of ttu' Fort, evidently to 
loiin a luiacli loi assault. TIr' i-ftect ol tlnir shot was here tiuarded 
against to some extent by bags ol sand and sacks of flour bein^; piled 
against the palisade. The sinjjle six-pounder cannon in the Fort was 
fired onl\ at Inna intervals from scanty ammunition, 'foward evening 
of August 2nd an assailing ])art\- of tiie enemy advanced in the direction 
expected, and to command which the only cannon had b(.en placed, 
masked, and doubly charged with slugs and grapeshot. .\t an oi)i>ortune 
moment, wIk'U the first column of the enemy had advanced into the 
ditch within ten to fifteen paces of the six-pounder, the masked ]>ort was 
opened and tlu' cannon discharged with dire effect. Tfie second column 
that advanced to take the ])lace of their fallen comrades, soon met great 
loss and confusion from the small arms of the garrison which comjjleted 
the disastrous work of the defense. The remnant of the assailing columns 
retreated prtcii)itately and in confusion. Two liundred grenadiirs who 
were to assail the south sidi' of the Fort, did not attain their position 
luitil later. Tlu \ were so warmly opposed by the small arms of the 
garrison that they soon withdrew. 

During the night, which was now come, General Proctor sent 
savages to gather the woundt-d and iKad, which they did witliout the 
range of the garrison's muskets in the darkness. .About daylight the 
British and their savage allies departed, leaving a small vessel contain- 
ing clothing and military stores, their retreat being hastened by reports 
of rallying .\mericans from Fort Seneca. The garrison suppliid the 
woundi-d enemy with water, at first in pails let down outside the stock- 
ade and, later through an oiiening made under the stockade, through 
which they were later taken within the enclosure and well cared for. 
The British left lieliind of their killed thrive officers and twenty-five 
private's; and of their wounded twenty-six who w'ere taken prisoners. 

Scouts were sent in the morning down the river to the bay : but 
no enemy was discovered other than a few straggling British soldiers 
who wert- surjirised and captured liy the Wyandot Aborigine scouts, 
recently admitted to the .American Army, who quickly surrendered 
them at luadc|uarters. These prisoners evidently expected to be 
massacred like the American prisoners captured by the British allies; 
and their tre])idation and anxiety produced much merriment among 
their captors who enjoyed the recollection for a long time. 

General Proctor sent Doctor Banner to the Fort to enquire after 
his wounded soldiers. He was treated courteously and given every 
opportunity for personal examination, which was in great contrast to 
the treatment hy the British of Doctor M'Keehan of the Ohio Militia 
who was sent by General Harrison to .\mherstburg 31st January to 
enquire after the wounded of General Winchester's army after the 



346 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

defeat and massacre at the River Raisin. Surgeon M'Keehan after 
receiving much discourteous treatment, was arrested by order of 
Proctor and sent to a dungeon in Montreal. 

General Harrison was informed that many of the savages with the 
British were discouraged and dissatisfied with the war since the repulse 
at Lower Sandusky. He therefore sent to them at Brownstown, below 
Detroit, some of his most confidential Wyandot chiefs, to confer with 
Chief Walk-in-the-Water and the Wyandot warriors under him for the 
purpose of spreading the disaffection toward the British, and of securing 
their neutrality. Such was the alertness and discipline of the British, 
however, that Colonel M'Kee and Captain Elliott were at once notified 
of the visit and were present to prevent or neutralize the proposition. 
The British thereupon renewed their work among the Aborigines, 
extending it to the neutrals by the headwaters of the Auglaise River, 
the St. Mary, and-the Miami to the southward. 

The signal success of Captain Croghan at Fort Stephenson ended 
the invasion of Ohio by the British ; and it was soon succeeded by 
other triumphs of American prowess that even drove the British from 
Upper Canada. The former suggestions of General Hull of a United 
States fleet or squadron of armed vessels on Lake Erie, were reported 
upon favorably and, in the spring of 1812, Commodore Stewart took 
action for this purpose. There was, however, but little result from 
this effort. In September Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliott was sent to 
Black Rock, now part of the City of Buffalo, for the purpose of build- 
ing such vessels. The 8th October two armed vessels, the Detroit and 
Caledonia, arrived from Detroit and anchored under the guns of the 
British Fort Erie across the Niagara River and a little above Black 
Rock. Lieutenant Elliott planned their capture at night and, by the 
aid of Lieutenant Colonel (afterward General) Winfield Scott, he 
succeeded after a series of remarkable experiences and escapes. The 
Detroit was partly built by General Hull and went to the British with 
his surrender, and her first name, Adams, was changed by her captors. 
The British rallied in such force and so persistently from Fort Erie to 
her relief that the Americans burned her on the Niagara River to 
prevent her recapture. They were more successful in getting the 
Caledonia away from the British. Little was accomplished on new 
vessels, however. 

General Harrison had urged the building of vessels sufficient to 
cope with the increasing British squadron. This work was seriously 
undertaken in the spring of 1813 under the direction of Commodore 
Isaac Chauncey. This officer settled upon Master-Commander Oliver 
Hazard Perry of Newport, Rhode Island, to produce the desired squad- 
ron. Erie, Pennsylvania, the historic Presque Isle, had been selected 



AMERICAN SQUADRON FORMING FOR LAKE ERIE. 547 

as thr jilaci' c)l miclczvous, and Coiiimandrr Perry arrivLcl there the 
27th March, iHlij. The work, already well begun, now progressed 
rapidly. The British Fort George on the Niagara River was captured 
the 27th May, Perry there acting an important part. The Niagara 
trontiiT now being free from the iiumv, five small vessels (the 
Caledonia thi' small brig captured at I'"ort luie, three schooners named 
the Somers, Tigress and Ohio, that had been purchased, and a sloop, 
the Trippe) were thus liberated from service on the Upper Niagara 
River, and were taken by Perry to his rendezvous at Erie, barely evading 
1)11 tile wa\ tht' British squadron that was on the lookout for them. 

Many obstacles and delays attended Commander Perry's efforts: 
and when his boats were ready (they being, in addition to those named 
above, the Lawrence, flagshi]), and Niagara, both twenty-gun brigs, and 
the schooners Scorpion, Porcupine, and Ariel which was clipper-mod- 
elled) there were only men enough at hand to officer and man one- of 
the brigs despite his importunities to the contrary. While in this 
predicament Perry was annoyed — almost taunted — by letters from the 
Navy Department and from General Harrison, urging him to procei-d 
against the eiiem\ : also b\ the British squadron remaining in sight of 
his Erie Harbor, threatening to attack him. A few men came straggling 
in 'a motley set, blacks, soldiers, and boys' and there was much 
sickness. The second movement of the British against Fort Meigs, 
described on preceding pages, occurred at this time, and the British ves- 
sels moved from the offing to the west end of the Lake in supi)ort of it. 

Master Commander Perry's force increased, by frontiersmen ami 
soldiers volunteering, until at the close of July it numbered about three 
hundred. On .August 1st it was decided to get his ten vessels from the 
Erie harbor into the Lake but, owing to the shallow water on the bar, 
five days elapsed before his largest vessels when empty were gotten 
across by great efforts of buoying with 'camels' or large deep scows 
on each side filled with water to the brim and uprights connecting them 
with horizontal timber through the forward and after ports, and then 
pumping the water from the scows. Just as the vessels were in deep 
water, with their armament and stores placed, some of the British 
vessels appeared to the westward on their return. The Ariel and 
Scorpion were sent forward and, upon their exchanging a few shots, 
the British Captain, Robert Heriot Barclay, turned his vessels around 
and retreated to Amherstburg. The sailing and maneuvering qualities 
of Perry's squadron were then tried, and the mixed crew-s were given 
some much-needed practice and discipline. The 9th August Captain 
Jesse D. Elliott joined Commander Perry at Erie with about one 
hundred officers and men of some experience, and he was given com- 
mand of the Niagara. 



S48 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The squadron left Erie on the 12th August, 1813, and sailed to the 
western part of Lake Erie, casting anchors on the 15th in a pleasant 
harbor that was soon to be christened-bv this naval force as Put-in Bav. 
Communications with General Harrison had been continued, and the 
16th Commander Perry sailed toward the south shore and, when off the 
mouth of Portage River the 17th, he fired the signal guns agreed upon 
as notice to the General of his apjiroach. Direct communications were 
established; and the lyth Generals Harrison, Cass, and M'Arthur, 
escorted by a company from the 28th Regiment United States Infantry 
under Colonel Owings (Owens?) of Kentucky together with all the 
seamen that could readily be found among the troops and twent}- 
volunteers under Lieutenant Coburn of Payne's company and Johnson's 
regiment of cavalry, started for a visit with Perry on board the flagship 
Lawrence. These mixed troops were the best that could be secured to 
bring the number near to that necessary for the different vessels. Thev 
sailed the 20th to Put-in Bay to consider Put-in Bay Island as a station 
for the army in its advance on Amherstburg. Commander Perry kept the 
British vessels in the Detroit River under observation, but unfavorable 
winds and much disability among his men, many of whom were pros- 
trated with remittent fever which serious disease he was also experi- 
encing, prevented his attacking them. The 31st General Harrison 
reinforced the naval squadron with thirty-six more men. September 
1st Perry again moved to within sight of the enemy's vessels, but they 
were arranged under cover of the strong shore batteries and would not 
answer his challenge. 

The British had been building at Amherstburg a vessel, the Detroit, 
larger than either of those under Perry's command. At the time of her 
completion provisions had become scarce at Amherstburg and, on 
Friday the 10th September, the British squadron was obliged to move 
eastward for supplies. The vessels were earh' sighted by the Ameri- 
cans who decided to give battle, and prepared accordingly. Perry 
hoisted on his flagship, the Lawrence, his battle-ilag bearing the dying 
command of Captain James Lawrence in the contest of the Chesapeake 
with the Shannon Don't Give Up the Ship.' 

The battle was begun by a long range gun of the Detroit, the missile 
from which fell short of its mark. Master Commander Perrv reserved 
his fire for short range. His flagship, the Lawrence, was the target for 
most of the British shot and the results to the brig and crew were wide- 
spread and direful. All of her guns became dismounted or useless and 
only fourteen unhurt men remained on her deck, and only nine of these 
were seamen. The room below, to which the wounded had been taken, 
was above the water line and the enemy's shot frequently passed 
through it continuing the work of destruction to life and vessel. Being 



COMPLETE SUCCESS OF AMERICANS ON LAKE ERIE. 349 



uiiabli ti> (Id niDic in tlu' Lawrence. Perry ordcrLci a boat lowcrLcl wliilu 
putting on his full uniform and, giving the brij; in charge of Lieutenant 
Yarnell with discretionary powers, he with his small lirother and four 
oarsmen entered the boat and passed to the Niagara. He persisted in 
standin>;; most of the fifteen minutes required to make the transit, beinj^ 
the tarjiet of many Uritish yuns, lar^'t- and small. Taking command 

of the Niagara he sent Lieutenant 
Mlliott in small boat to brinn into 
close action the more distant vessels 
and, raising the Commodore jiennant, 
changed the course of the brig and 
broke throu^jh the Hritish line pour- 
ing; at short range the full force of the 
i;uns right and left into the discon- 
certed enemy with great effect. Thi' 
other American vessels followed tlu- 
kader and, in eight minutes after the 
Niagara passed through the line the 
lour iirincijial British vessels surren- 
tlered. The other two, the Chippewa 
and Little Belt, attemjjted to escape, 
but the Scorpion and Trippe. giving 
chase, soon brought them back to 
American possession. Lieutenant 
Yarnell lowered the colors of the 
Lawrence soon after the departure of 
Commander Perry, and the enemy's 
fire was thereafter directid ilsewhere, they being kept too busy to take 
possession of the wreck. Immediately after the surrender of the British, 
was written with a firm hand those model dispatches which have been 
familiar to all, the first to General William H. Harrison, viz : 

Sir : We have met the enemy and they are ours ■. Two Ships, two Brigs, one 
Schooner and one Sloop. Yours with great respect and esteem, 

O. H. Pkrry. 

U. S. Brig Niagara, off the Western Sister [Island] 

Head of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813, 4 P. M. 

Sir : It has pleased the Almighty to give to the arms of the United States a signal 

victory over their enemies on this lake. The British squadron, consisting of two ships, 

two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop, have this moment surrendered to the force 

under my command after a sharp conflict. 

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant. 
Honorable William Jones, Secretary of the Navy. O. H. I'errv. 

Commander Perr\' decided to formally receive the surrender of the 
British officers on board the disabled Lawrence which he did, they 




OLIVKK n.\/AKD I'KRKV 

Master-Commander and, later. Captain in the 
*tJnited States Navy. Born South Kingston, 
Rhode Island, 23rd AuiiUSt, 178,5. Died 23rd 
AiiKUst, IHIV*, in Port Spain, Trinidad Island. 



550 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



wending their way between the dead Americans whose bodies yet 
remained on the deck. The British commander Captain Barclay- was 
wounded and unable to appear. At twilight the non-commissioned 
dead of friend and foe, enveloped in shrouds with cannon balls at the 
feet, were dropped one by one into the Lake after the reading of the 
burial service of the Episcojial Church. This sad service being 
completed the vessels slowly made their way to that beautiful near-by 
bay which has since been known as Put-in Bay ; and the dead officers 
were liuried on the land which received the name Put-in Bay Island. 
The losses were: American, twenty-seven killed and ninety-six 
wounded of whom twenty-two killed and sixty-one wounded were 
aboard the Lawrence; British, forty-one killed and ninety-four wounded. 

There are various reports regarding the relative strength of the 
contending squadrons. The British had six vessels carryin,g sixty-three 
carriage guns, one on pivot, two swivels, and four howitzers. The 
Americans had nine vessels with fifty-four carriage guns and two 
swivels. The British squadron had thirty-five long guns and the 
American fifteen, which explains the advantage of the former in the 
early part of the action. In close action the weight of metal was favor- 
able to the -Americans. The British crews possessed far more naval 
experience than the American.* 

This capture of the entire squadron, the first instance in the history 
of America's brilliant successes on the water, had a very depressing 
effect on the British and, per contra, a very enthusing effect upon the 
three American Armies (the Northwestern, the Central, and the East- 
ern) and upon the entire populace as well. This was the continued 
work of young officers — Perry being but twenty-seven 3'ears of age, and 
his subordinates yet younger. Perry was immediately promoted to 
Captain, and Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a medal. Captain 
(acting Commodore) Barclay, in his report to the British Government, 



* AMERICAN SQUADRON. MASTER-COMMANDER OLIVER HAZARD PERRY. 



Name of Vessel. 


Rigging. 


o'S 

0) 


Hi 

u 

hu 


ha 


0) 

rt c 
p 
u 

mo. 


Armament. 


;. Lawrence, 

2. Niagara. 

3. Caledonia. 

4. Ariel. 

5. Scorpion. 

6. Somers. 

7. Porcupine. 

8. Tigress. 

9. Trippe. 


Brig. 

Brig. 

Brig. 

Schooner. 

Schooner. 

Schooner. 

Schooner. 

Schooner. 

Sloop. 


480 
480 
180 
112 
86 
94 
83 
96 
60 


136 
Ihh 

53 1 

36 

35 1 

30 ^ 

25 

27 

35 


105 
127 

184 


300 
300 
80 
48 
64 
56 
32 
32 
24 


2 Long 12's, 18 Short 32's. 

2 Long 12's, 18 Short 32's. 

2 Long 24's, 1 Short 32. 

4 Long 12's, (I burst early). 

1 Long 32, 1 Short 32. 

1 Long 24, 1 Short 32. 2 Swivels. 

1 Long 32. 

1 Long 32, 

1 Long 24. 






1671 


,532 


416 


936 54 Guns, 2 Swivels. 



The schooner Ohio was gone to Erie for supplies. 



A DAY OF THANKSGIVING IN THE FOREST. 



351 



expressed liiuli praise of Commander Perry lor his tliounhtlul and kind 
attention to the wounded and the |)risoners, and for his magnanimity. 
He not i)nl\ (K rlined to taki- tlu- swords of tile British officers, l)ut he 
loaned to them om thousand ch)llars to be expended for their comfort. 
'I"hi' ])risoners who were able to travel were taken to FittsburK by way 
of Lower and Upper Sanduskv, and Franklinton. 'I"he wounded and 
sick were taken to Erie in the l)os|)ital vessels, the Detroit. Queen 
Charlotte, and Niagara. It not bein^; ])ractical)le to rejjair the two first 
named vessels they were lift in Little Bay, Erie Harbor, where they 
finally went to the bottom, followed a few years later by the Niagara 
which had in the interim been doin^ good service as a receiving ship. 
Colonel Richard M. Johnson's regiment of mounted infantry being 
recalled from the southwest, was ordered to escort the army supplies 
down the St. Mary, Auglaise and Maumee from Forts Barbee, Amanda 
and Winchester. During its sojourn in Kentucky this regiment had 
been recruited to over full numbers and, by their Lieutenant Colonel 
James Johnson, brother of the Colonel, their discipline was brought to 
a high state. About the 1st of September they, with the train of thirty 
wagons and a brigade of packhorses, started northward arriving at 
F"ort Winchester the itth, the day appointed by President Madison 
according to the Act of Congress for fasting, humiliation and praver. 
Those who chose to observe the day in that manner were encour- 
aged to do so: and although there is in general but little religion to be 
found in the army, yet in the evening of this day a number of little 
parties were seen in different parts of the lines paying their devotions 
to the God of armies, and chanting his praises with plainness', sinceritv 
and zeal ; whilst their less pious but moral and orderly compatriots 



BRITISH SQUADRON. CAPTAIN-COMMANDER ROBERT HERIOT BARCLAY. 



Name of Vessel. 


RiKEing. 


V 
(ft <^ 

c'S 
o U 
HO! 


U 


it 
"3. 

sg 


Armament. 


;. Detroit. 

2. Queen Charlotte. 
5. Hunter. 

4. Lady Prevost. 

5. Chippewa, 

6. Little Belt. 


Ship. 

Ship. 
Briij. 

Schooner. 

Schooner, 
sloop. 


490 

400 
180 

230 

70 
90 


150 

126 
45 

86 

15 
18 


138 

189 
30 

75 

9 

18 


I 1 Lone 18, 2 Lone 24's, 6 Lone 12's, 1 

-. Short 18, I Short 24, 8 Loni! 9-s, 1 Gun 

I on Pivot, and 2 Howitzers. 

) 1 Lonu 12, 3 Loni; 9's, 14 Short 24s, and 

( 1 Howitzer. 

.( 4 Lone 6s, 2 Long 4's. 2 Lone 2s, 2 

1 Short 12's. 

j 1 Long 9, 2 Long 6's, 10 Short 12'5. 1 

( Howitzer. 

1 Long 9, and 2 Swivels. 

1 Long 12, 2 Long 6's. 






1460 


440 


459 


63 Guns, 4 Howitzers, 2 Swivels. 



Compare Official Letters of the Military and Naval Officers of the United States During the 
War with Great Britain in the Years 1812-IS-M and 1815, by John Brannan, Washington. 1823. page 
207; I.ossinc's War of 1812 page 530; and The Naval War of 1812 by Theodore Roosevelt, volume i 
pages 311, 312. 



552 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

prt'servcd around them the strictest order and decorum. A pleasing 
tramiuilitv jiervaded the ranks, and the patriot soldier seemed to feel a 
cheering confidence that the God of batth-s would shield him in the 
hour of danger — Captain Robert B. M'Afee who was present. The 
10th of Se])tember, the day of the complete victory on Lake Erie, a 
spirited and valuable disci])linary sham battle was fought in the vicinity 
of Fort Winchester between the infantry and cavalry, in which the 
horses participated with but little less zest than their riders, being thus 
taught not to fear the noise and smoke of the guns of the infantry as 
their riders directed the rapid charge between their ranks. 

General Harrison had invited the venerable Governor Isaac Shelby 
the hero of King Mountain, South Carolina in 17H1, to accompany his 
Kentuckv troops to the invasion of Canada, and this invitation was 
accepted. Announcement that the Governor would be present on the 
march and in the field, caused great enthusiasm in Kentucky, and 
nearly double the number of volunti'iTS called for, responded giving 
General Shelby the proud command of about three thousand mount- 
ed men, exclusive of Colonel Johnson's Regiment. The United 
States Arsenal at Newport was emptied of arms and many of the 
Kentucky troops were supplied at Ujiper and Lower Sanduskv, these 
troops coming through Ohio along the course of the Right Wing of 
the Northwestern Army. Upon the arrival of General Shelby and staff 
at Fort Ball, the present Tiffin, they learned of Perry's victory. A 
dispatch was at once sent to Major General Henry in command of the 
advancing army at Upper Sandusky to hasten forward the troops. 
General Shelby met General Harrison at Fort Seneca and, passing on, 
arrived September 14th at the present Port Clinton, and during the next 
two davs the troops arrived. 

General M 'Arthur was ordered to take command of Fort Meigs and 
to send General Clay and his troops with those of the United States to 
\y the rendezvous at the mouth of the Portage River where the fresh 

Kentuckv men were gathering; also to embark artillery and provisions 
from Fort Meigs (which was then reduced to the principal blockhouses 
in the southwest corner of the enclosure) to join the consolidated army 
on the Lake, having Colonel Johnson with his mounted Regiment go 
along the left bank of the Maumee River, Bay and Lake, keeping 
abreast of the boats. Thus all of the Northwestern Army that could be 
spared from garrison and guard duty was mobilized and concentrated. 

The armv also now embraced two hundred and sixty Aborigine 
warriors of the Wyandot, Shawnee and Seneca tribes which General 
Harrison had been placating. As a result of the desire of the British 
to get these tribes as allies and of their desire to be engaged in the 
strife, the United States Government decided to enlist them into its 



THE SA VAGES COULD BE RESTRAINED. THE ADVANCE. 553 




servicf, hut with thr injunction, anil full uiidcrstandinn on their i)art, 
that tluy must confoiiii to tin- nio(k-s of civilizccl warfare. General 
Harrison positively i)ointed out to them that they must not kill nor 
injure defenseless prisoners, old men, women or children. And, if 
those fij^htini; with him would forbear such conduct it would prove that 

the British could also restrain the Aho- 
rifjines with them if they desired so to do. 
Hi' greatly pleased them li\ humorously 
tellinfi them that, inasmuch as he had 
bein informed that General Proctor had 
promised to deliver him (General Harri- 
son j into the hands of Ticumseh if he 
succeeded in capturinjj Fort Meigs, to be 
treated as that warrior mi}j;ht desire, he 
would promise to let them have General 
Proctor as their prisoner, if they could 
take him, provided they would onlv put 
petticoats on him and treat him as a s<|uaw. 
Thesi' .\boriKines accompanied the Ameri- 
can army into Canada and, impliedly, w'ere 
present at the Battle of the Thames, but 
no savasie act has been imputed to them, 
nor to those tliat were subsetjuently sub- 
viiie i-th October. 1780. Died 19th No- jgct to American command. This has 

veinbcr, t850, at Frankfort, Kentucky.* , ,,•- -i i-c 

been taken as additional evidence that it 
the British ofificers did not directlv instigate, they at least very willingly 
permitted the savages to massacre the prisoners who had surrendered, 
not to the savages but to themselves after a solemn promise of pro- 
tection. Compare M'yVfee's History of the War of 1812 page 303. 

General Harrison was much in the saddle, personally attending to 
all delinquents, and business. September 22nd he addressed the fol- 
lowing note from Franklinton to Governor Meigs, viz: . . Be pleased 
to send a com])any of one hundred men to Fort Meigs. Thirty or forty 
will do for Lower Sandusky. I am informed that the term of the gar- 
rison at Fort Findlav will exjiire on the 22nd instant. Will you be 
pleased to order there twenty or thirty men? 

The army commenced to embark at the mouth of the Portage River, 
the present Port Clinton, on the 20th September. The vessels under 
command of Captain Perry were used as transports, excepting the wrecks 
Lawrence. Detroit, and Queen Charlotte, which contained the wounded and 
sick, they being now very airy and good hospitals. All these vessels 



RICHARD MKNTOR JOHNSON 
Member of Congress and Colonel of 
Kentucky Cavalry. Born near Louis- 



*From Harper's Encyclopaedia of United States History, vol. v. Copyright, 1901, by Harper & 
Brothers. 



354 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

were viewed with great interest by the soldiers, many of whom had 
never before seen such broad water and such large boats: and the many 
marks they bore of the fierce battle were associated with thoughts of 
the complete victory they represented of American arms, to the enthus- 
ing of the soldiers who grew impatient for an ojiportunity to show their 
prowess in battle for their country's honor. All the horses, even those 
of the ofificers, were left on the mainland. It re^iuired four days to 
transport the army of nearly five thousand men with armament and 
supplies to Put-in Bay Island by the slow moving sail vessels. The 
25th the armv encamped on Middle Sister Island which, being but six 
or eight acres in size, afforded only close quarters. 

General Harrison in conii)any with Captain Perry on the Ariel 
reconnoitered the enemy at Amherstburg and returned in time to issue 
a general order to embark against them the next morning. He also 
prepared for issue the next day the following General Order: The 
General entreats his brave troops to remember that they are the sons 
of sires whose fame is immortal [soldiers of the Revolutionary War] 
that they are to fight for the rights of their insulted country, whilst 
their opi)onents combat for the unjust pretensions of a master. Ken- 
tuckians, remember the River Raisin, but remember it only whilst the 
victory is suspended. The revenge of a soldier cannot be gratified 
upon a fallen enemy — By command, Robert Butler Acting Adjutant 
General.* 

The weather continued favorable and, after seven hours sail Sep- 
tember 27, 1813, in sixteen armed vessels and near one hundred 
smaller boats, the army landed about four o'clock in the afternoon on 
the sandy shore of Canada about three miles below Amherstburg, form- 
erly the ill-famed Maiden. There was no enemy found to dispute the 
landing nor the entrance into the town. The British troops and their 



* The sad massacre of Kentuckians at the River Raisin nine months previous to this date by the 
savage allies of the British had, like most stirrinp events in war, been commemorated in song. A stan/.a 
of one of the songs often heard around the cainpfires of the Northwestern army of these times runs as 

follows : 

Freemen! no longer bear such slaughters; 

Avenge your country's cruel woe ; 
Arouse, and save your wives and daughters! 

Arouse and smite the faithless foe ! 

Chorus — Scalps are bought at stated prices. 
Maiden pays the price in gold. 

The British policy toward the Colonies, and also toward the United States had been, as expressed 
in the New Quarterly Review and British Colonial Register No. 4, London, following Perry's victory, 
as follows: . . We dare assert, and recent events have gone far in establishing the truth of the prop- 
osition, that the Canadas cannot be effectually and durably defended without the friendship of the Abori- 
gines and command of the lakes and the River St. Lawrence. . . We must consider the interest of the 
Aborigines as our own ; for men whose very name is so formidable to an American, and whose friendship 
has recently been shown iin the savage massacres of Winchester's and Dudley's troops] to be of such 
great importance to us, we cannot do too much, , , — Compare Lossing's Pictorial Field-Book of tb^ 
War of 1812. i>age 536, 



ESCAPE OF BRITISH FROM AMHERSTBURG. PURSUIT. 355 

savage allies had hastil> dipartid after setting fire to the' army and 
navy buildings, and to all tin- pulilic stores tluy could not carry away. 
A few troops were hurried forward and they prevented thi' British from 
destroying the bridufS. Upon in(|uirint; amonu the few peo])le remain- 
ing in the town lor horses on which to niuunl the general officers, it 
was ascertained that Proctor had taken them all, more than one thous- 
and, and only one small pony could be found by the Americans and 
this was taken for General Sheiiiv's use. 

Leaving; Colonel Smith's rej^iment of riflemen at Amherstbur>i to 
guard the smaller boats and the town against prowling savages, the 
Americans pressed lorward the next morning, and soon after midday of 
the 2!lth Sej>teml)er they arrived at Sandwich, Ca|Uain Ferry's vessels 
arriving about the same time. 

General M 'Arthur with siven hundred men was sent across the 
river to Detroit to guard against the large number of savages reported 
in the woods near-liy : and they drove away a band of savages in the 
town and found that [''ort Lernoult had been abandoned by the British 
and partly burned, the (ire having been extinguished by the citizens 
who now generally welcomed the .\mericans. A few days later the 
Al)origines who had become discouraged with the Ikitish on account of 
their disaster at Lower Sandusk\-, on Lake Erie, and at .^mherstburg, 
and who did not follow Proctor's retreating columns — the Ottawas, 
Chippewas, Pottawotamis, Miamis and Kickapoos — came to General 
M'Arthur for peace, and he reported to the Secretary of War October 
6th that he had agreed with them that hostilities should cease for the 
present on their agreeing 'to take hold of the same tomahawk with us, 
and to strike all who are or may be enemies of the United States, 
whether British or Aborigines. They are to bring in a number of their 
women and children and leave them as hostages whilst thej' accompany 
us to war. Some of them have already brought in their women, and 
are drawing rations.' . . The Wyandots were soon added to the 
above mentioned tribes sueing for peace; but no effort was made to 
marshal any of them against the British. 

The martial law that had been enforced by the British at Detroit 
was now declared ended by proclamation of General Harrison who also 
reproclaimed the civil government of the Territory of Michigan which 
ended with the surrender of Hull in June, 1812. Colonel Johnson's 
regiment arrived at Detroit the 30th, having brought along four pieces 
of light field artillery from Fort Meigs, and they were ordered across 
the river the 1st October. A council of officers decided to continue 
the pursuit of the enemy by land rather than by water. General 
M'Arthur and his brigade remained at Detroit; a brigade and one 
regiment were left at Sandwich, and the main bodj' of the army, 



356 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

numbering about three thousand and five hundred, started the 2nd of 
October again on the track of the British, having obtained some horses 
in addition to those ridden to Detroit l:)y Colonel Johnson's regiment. 
Captain Perry took the heavy baggage and much of the supplies on 
some of his vessels to the mouth of the Thames River in Lake St. 
Clair; and he there learned that some small vessels bearing the British 
cannon and heavy baggage had just escaped him and passed up the 
river beyond where his vessels could go. Evidently the British did 
not expect to be pursued beyond Sandwich as they did not destroy the 
bridges. The road being good, the army was enabled to progress 
rapidly without the artillery and baggage carried by Perry's vessels. 
Seven deserters from the enemy were met, and the situation of the 
enemy was learned from them. The next day a small detachment of 
the enemy which had been sent to destroy some bridges, was captured. 
Captain Perry received permission to accompany the army, leaving 
his boats well guarded. The Americans passed up the River Thames, 
their cannon driving Aborigines and others awav from partially 
destroyed bridges which were speedily repaired for the army's use. 
The Wyandot Chief Walk-in-the-Water with sixty of his warriors 
reported as deserters from the British to the General who, being intent 
after the main foe, told the Aborigines to keep out of the way of the 
American Army; and they returned to Detroit. The British attempted 
to destroy their stores and whatever was burdensome to them. They 
set fire to a house near Chatham which contained near a thousand 
muskets. These were saved by the Americans. They burned other 
buildings and three of their small vessels, which contained artillery 
and heavy munitions — from which our army saved two twenty-four- 
pounder cannon and considerable ammunition ; and early in the morning 
of the 5th two of the enemy's gunboats and several bateaux laden with 
supplies were captured, with more prisoners. The Thames was crossed 
at Arnold's Mill, partly by each cavalryman taking an infantryman 
behind him on his horse, and partly by means of the bateaux. Early 
in the afternoon scouts reported the position of the British and savages 
as near and well chosen for defense. The Americans at once advanced 
to the battle which was sharp and decisive. The mounted regiment of 
Colonel R. M. Johnson broke the British lines by its impetuous charge 
and in less than five minutes after the first shot near the entire British 
force threw down their arms and surrendered. The savages started 
their part well hut were after a few minutes unable to withstand the 
rifles of the Kentuckians. Tecumseh was killed, whether b\- Colonel 
R. M. Johnson or other is not known; and no one could for long rally 
the savages against the victorious Americans. General Proctor with a 
few followers attempted to escape in his carriage, but he was so closely 



DEFEAT OF BRITISH AT THE THAMES. FORT SHELBY. 557 

pressed that lie rushed into tin- forest on foot and, later (indinti a horse, 
was sixty-five miles from the battle-field within twenty-four hours. 
His carriage and private pajurs, and much valual)ii- military material, 
were cai)turi'd including, six brass cannon, three of which were cajitured 
from ihi- IJritish in the Kevolutionarx' War and were surrendered to 
them by Hull at Detroit. 

The American loss in the Hattle of the 'i'hames was about fifteen 
kilkd and thirt\- wounded inciudinu the brave Colontd R. M. Johnson. 
The British loss was about eighteen killed, twentv-six wounded, and 
six hundred prisoners includins; twenty-five officers. The savages left 
tiiirtx -thrie ol their dead on the field. Further is not di'finitely known, 
but their loss must have been large from wounds and want of proper 
care. Some of the severely wounded and dead were doubtless carried 
away, includint; Tecumseh. 

The American army started on its return to Detroit the 7th of 
October. General Harrison went liefore at a more raiiid ]iace, leaving 
General Shelby in command. They arrived at Sandwich on the UHh 
in a cold, driving snow storm. This storm injured some of the vessels 
on their return from the Thames and caused the loss of much of the 
miiitar\- i)ro]>erty captured from the British. It also jiut a stop to the 
contemplated movement against Mackinaw; but report was soon received 
that the small British garrison liad abandoned that i)ost, which was 
probalil\- not correct, as this jjoint was the key to the northern and 
northwestern fur trade. The reports of the signal victory at the Thames 
were received throughout the United States with illuminations, bonfires, 
and patriotic addresses in which General Harrison was much lauded. 
Congress afterwards gave him a vote of thanks, and a gold medal. 

General Harrison appointed General Lewis Cass civil and military' 
Governor of Michigan, and directed him to retain his brigade of 
soldiers, numbering al)out one thousand men, to guard against the 
savages and to hold the Territory against invasion by the British. 
This appointment was confirmed by the United States Senate, and 
General Cass continued in this office several years. The fort at Detroit 
was repaired and the name Fort Lernoult, which it had l^orne since 
1778, was changed to Fort Shelby in honor of Kentucky's distinguished 
Governor. The Kentucky volunteers were permitted to return home. 
They stopped at the River Raisin on their way and there liuried such 
remains as could be found (sixty-five skeletons) of the massacred 
soldiers of General Winchester's army of the previous January — See 
ante page 311. They also stopped at the mouth of the Portage River 
to get their horses. 

The garrisoning of the several forts in this Basin being provided 
for. General Harrison sailed with about thirteen hundred soldiers in 



358 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Captain Perry's squadron for Buffalo* whert tliey arrived the 24th 
October to co-operate with the Army of the Center; but he did not 
there remain as a party to the resulting defeats. On account of antag- 
onisms in the War Department his able and successful work in the War 
of 1812 had been nearly completed. He returned to his family in 
Cincinnati where he retained headquarters until he resigned his 
commission 11th May, 1814, to take effect on the 31st of that month. 

The Northwest experienced comparative quiet after the pursuit and 
defeat of the British by the Thames, but not for long. Food and money 
became scarce and some successes of the British over the Army of the 
Center, again brought anxiety to this region. The following extracts 
from a letter to Governor Meigs written by General John S. Gano under 
date of Headquarters Ohio Militia, Lower Sandusky January 16th, 1814, 
show something of the condition of affairs at that date, viz: 

1 have the pleasure to inform you that after repeated solicitations, and much delay, 
the paymaster has succeeded in obtaining two month's pay for the troops under my com- 
mand. 1 have sent him on to Detroit, as the men there are in great want of money to 
purchase necessaries, etc.t Yesterday the Lieutenant and Surgeon of the Navy, Cham- 
plain and Eastman, left this post for Put-in Bay. They arrived the evening before, and 
report they have everything arranged to give the enemy a warm reception should they 
visit them. About forty pieces of cannon can be brought to play upon them at any point. 
I find, however, they want men. I shall send in the regulars from Seneca as soon as 
possible, to reinforce them which is absolutely nece.ssary from the Lieutenants represen- 
tations to me. We have not had the detailed account from Buffalo, etc. Majors Vance 
and Meek have just arrived from Detroit, and give me a favorable account from that 
quarter as to the exertions of Colonel Butler, to whom I sent Major Vance as an express. 
There is a detachment under Major Smiley up the River Thames who will, 1 hope, fare 
better than Larwell. The militia are very tired of the service there, and all are begin- 
ning to count days. They have had an immense deal of fatigue and severe duty to 



* General Harrison received, by niesseneer Lieutenant Le Breton, a letter from Major General 
Proctor dated October IHtli \place of vvritinE not yiven) addressed to him at the Moravian towns by 
the Thames, but delivered at Detroit before his departure from that place- This letter requested the 
return of private papers and property captured by the Americans at the Battle of the Thames; also a 
request for mild treatment of the British prisoners and subjects. This writing of General Proctor was 
considered by General Harrison unnecessary as such requests had been already provided for; and, fur- 
ther, it was asking from him what General Proctor had not been known to accord to Americans. Lieu- 
tenant Le Breton was given good opportunity to see that the proprieties of civilization had been complied 
with in regard to the British. He was not permitted to return by land, however, but was taken across Lake 
Erie in boat with General Harrison. He was given in reply a letter dated Headquarters, Fort George, 
November 3, 1813, -addressed, not to Proctor but to Major General Vincent the ranking officer. This 
letter cited three instances, of the many in addition to Winchester's and Dudley's troops, of atrocious 
savage murders and mutilations committed on inoffensive American men, women and children by savage 
members of the British army whose otficers were at least privy to the deeds and did not subject their 
perpetrators to discipline. Eloquent protest was again made against such atrocious warfare, and 
demand for its cessation, truthfully adding that ' the effect of these barbarities will not be confined to 
the present generation. Ages to come will feel the deep rooted hatred and enmity which they must 
produce between the two nations.' He also declared that, if the British persisted in such inhumanities, 
retaliation would be the result — Official Letters, etc., by John Brannan, 1H23. 

t The procuring of the necessaries of life was dilticult during all these early years; but the years 
1814-15 were classed as years of unusual scarcity. Ohio money had been at twenty-five per cent or more 
discount for several years, and now it was very difficult to get. Individual due-bills had also been in 
extensive circulation, and attended with much loss. 



DIFFICULTIES IN OBTAINING SOLDIERS AND FOOD. 559 

perform. The lort at I'ortaKe is progressing and is the best piece of work in the Western 
country as to strength. The men drasv the timber to admiration eighty or ninety logs 
a day without a murmur. The teams have been, and are, useless for want of forage. 
The greatest part have actually died. 1 wrote in November to yuartermaster Gardiner 
for funds to be sent to the yuartermaster's assistant here to purchase forage, which 
could have been obtained two or three hundred miles from here. If three hundred 
dollars could have been sent on, I think it would have saved the United States three 
thousand ; and I assure you I have used every exertion to preserve and protect the public 
property. As I before observed, nothing will induce the militia to remain after their term 
of service expires, which will lie the last of next month. Is there any information from 
General Harrison or the Secretary of War on this subject ? I am only anxious on account 
of the public property that may be left exposed. I have this post in a tolerable state of 
defense, as well a.s all the posts I command, which, you know, are scattered from Dan 
to Beersheba ; and each must rely on its own strength for its defense. I have had an 
immense detail business in communication, etc. 

Flour is very scarce at all the frontier posts. 1 have been between ' hawk and 
buzzard' the commissary and contractor; and between the two, as is usual, must fail. 
What a wretched system of Warfare. 

P. S. An express by a naval officer has just arrived from Erie. Lieutenant 
f'acket has given me a full account of the loss of the posts below, at Niagara. Tlie 
enemy possessed themselves of the artillery, military stores, etc., etc., to a large amount ; 
and there is no doubt but an attempt to take or destroy the vessels at Put-in Bay will be 
attempted, and Captain Elliott has requested a reinforcement of two hundred men to 
send to the Island, which I have not the power to furnish. I have ordered a few regulars 
from Seneca, and will send a few militia. My troops are so scattered, I have no dispos- 
able force without evacuating some of the posts that contain considerable military stores. 
I wrote some time since to General Harrison, recommending him to send on the recruits. 
They certainly will be wanted as soon as the British can move on the ice or by water to 
Detroit or the Islands. I fear we shall lose all that has been gained, unless great exer- 
tions are used to reinforce ; and supply of provisions is much wanted. 

Fort Meigs had suffered much from short rations and, about the 
middle of January, some of the soldiers of the garrison were sent up 
the river to Fort Winchester where they obtained as much as they could 
carry, and transported it to Fort Meigs as best they could. The quan- 
tity of flour at Fort Winchester the latter part of January was mentioned 
by General Gano as 'two or three hundred barrels' while Fort Meigs 
continued very short. General Gano wrote to General Harrison the 
■27th that . . 'I think 1 would hang half of the ((uartermasters and 
ail the contractors If I was to remain in service much longer; and I 
am astonished how you have inanaged with them to effect the objects 
you have, for there appears no system or regularity with any of them.' 
Eighty soldiers were reported sick at Fort Meigs the liTth 
January, 1H14. March and May, 1814,' there were reported at Fort 
Meigs 9461 rations of meat : 29,390 of flour; 20,688 of whiskey; 1271 
quarts salt: 1018^4 pounds soap; 948 lbs. candles: and ir)84 lbs. 
tallow and grease.* 



* American State Papers, Military .\ttairs volume ii pane 661. 



560 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The fears of attack by the enemy expressed by General Gano were 
not realized ; but fears were often a^ain excited during the summer and 
fall. Lieutenant Colonel Butler, in temporary command at Detroit, 
being informed the last of January or early in February that a body of 
British and Canadian soldiers, and savages, were by the River Thames 
near Chatham, sent Captain Lee with a squad of cavalry to investigate. 
The Americans went around the enemy, attacked them fiercely, scattered 
them, and took several prisoners, including Colonel Babie (Bahbie) 
who led a band of western savages to the New. York frontier the 
summer or fall of 1813. A little later in Februarj- Lieutenant Colonel 
Butler sent one hundred and sixty soldiers, with two six-pounder 
cannon, under Captain Jeremiah Holmes, against the British Fort 
Talbot one hundred miles or more from Detroit on the north shore of 
Lake Erie. Deeming it unwise to attack that Fort, Captain Holmes 
passed across country to Delaware on the Thames when the enemy, 
superior in numbers, led him on to the Longwoods where they gave 
battle for an hour aliout dark on March 3rd. Both parties withdrew 
during the night. The .Vmericans lost seven in killed and wounded. 

Earl\- in July, 1814, a small squadron of vessels left Detroit for the 
capture of Fort Mackinaw and other posts in that region important to 
the British fur trade. Some time had been given to preparation for 
this expedition. Arthur St. Clair was in command of the vessels 
Niagara. Caledonia. Scorpion, St. Lawrence and Tigress, and George 
Croghan, now a Lieutenant Colonel, in command of the five hundred 
United States troops and two hundred and fifty militia which had quar- 
ters on the vessels. When the squadron arrived at Fort Gratiot, 
recently built by order of General M 'Arthur at the head of St. Clair 
Strait or River, Croghan's force was augmented by Colonel William 
Colgreave's regiment of Ohio volunteers and Captain Gratiot. A 
desired attack on anew British post on Matchadach Bay was abandoned 
after several days' trial to get through the narrow channels between the 
islands in the fogs, and without a familiar pilot. Sailing to Fort St. 
Joseph, toward Lake Superior, they found it abandoned. The buildings 
here were destroyed by part of the exj^edition while others pressed for- 
ward to the Saut Ste. Marie where they arrived July 21st to find that 
John Johnson 'a renegade magistrate from Michigan' agent of the 
British Northwest Company, had just departed with his assistants, 
carrying away all the property possible, but setting fire to the com- 
pany's sloop. This fire was extinguished by the Americans but the 
vessel proving unseaworthy she was again fired. After destroying the 
buildings, the Americans returned to St. Joseph, and the squadron 
arrived at Mackinaw July 26th, where they were to suffer repulse. 
Deciding it unwise for the vessels to attack the fort in front, Croghan's 



LOSS OF TWO BOATS. SUCCESSFUL DETOUR. 561 

nun \vci\ landid and jjiociidccl to a rear attack. They were met, 
however, by such severe fire l)y the British and concealed savajjes, that 
they retreated to the boats with a loss of thirteen killed, including 
Major Holmes, and fifty-five wounded, including Captains Van Horn 
and Desha, and Lieutenant Jackson. Two were missin^f. Passinf< to 
the Nautawassaga River, they captured the blockhouse three miles from 
its mouth, but the valuable furs of the Northwest Comi)any had been 
removed, and their vessel burned. The vessels now sailed for Detroit 
excepting the Tigress with Captain Champlin, and the Scorpion with 
Captain Turner, with crews of near thirty men each, which were left as 
a blockade to cut off supplies from the garrison at Mackinaw. This 
tluy did effectually until the night of the 3rd Sejitember when the 
Tigress, being aloni', was captured by a stealthy and overwhelming 
force; which force, in turn, deceived the Scorp/o/7's officers and crew to 
a close contact when she was also boarded and overwhelmed. Thesi- 
disasters, with the loss of the post at Prairie du Chien on the I7th July, 
again increased the api)rthinsions of the .\mi-ricans throughout the 
Northwest. 

The savages becoming more aggressive around Lake Michigan, 
General M'Artliur was dirtcttcl to gather mounted men to proceed 
against them. He arrived at Detroit through Ohio the 9th October, 
with about seven hundred men gathered from Ohio and Kentucky. The 
American army under General Jacob Brown being sorely pressed on 
the Niagara frontier. General M'Arthur, deciding to divert some of tin- 
British forces from that point, executed the most daring raid of the war 
through Canada. Starting northward from Detroit after the middlr of 
October with seven hundred and fifty men and five field cannon, he 
circled around Lake St. Clair, crossed the River St. Clair on the 2ttth, 
moved rapidly through the Scotch settlement of Baldoon, the Moravian 
Towns on the Thames, and London, arriving at Oxford the 4th Novem- 
ber. Here he found a considerable force of militia which he disarmed 
and paroled ; and he punished those who viciously opposed him In- 
burning their houses. He moved eastward and passed through Bur- 
ford to Brantford on the Grand River. Here, being opposed by the 
Iroquois Aborigines resident there, the militia and British, he turned 
southward, attacked the militia at Malcolm Hill by the Grand Rivi-r, 
killing and wounding seven and taking one hundred and thirty-one 
prisoners. The only American loss on this raid was one killed and six 
wounded at this point. The flouring mill and its belongings were here 
destroyed: also several mills on his way to Dover on Lake Erie. 
These mills had been the chief source of supply to the British in their 
operations against the Central .\rmy. At Dover General M'Arthur 
turned westward passing through Simcoe, St. Thomas, and near the 



562 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Thames, being pursued some distance by eleven hundred British regu- 
lar troops. The 17th November this successful American raid ended 
at Sandwich, where all the volunteers so desiring were discharged. 

Returning to Ohio, from this most daring of marches through the 
enemy's country, Brigadier General Duncan M'Arthur, then command- 
ing the Hth Military District, wrote a confidential letter to Thomas 
Worthington, then Governor of Ohio, under date Chillicothe, Decem- 
ber i;-5, 1814, as follows: 

With serious concern for the safety of the Northwestern frontier, I have the honor 
to submit to your consideration, and that of the Legislature of Ohio, a statement in rela- 
tion to the situation of affairs in this district. The contractor failed in November to sup- 
ply the troops at Detroit with the flour part of the ration, and they are now subsisting 
upon the immediate resources of the adjacent country. The advanced state of the season 
precludes the hope that any flour can be forwarded by lake transportation, should it have 
been collected at Erie, of which there is no authentic account. A considerable supply is 
reported by the contractor to be in readiness to be taken down the St. Mary and Miami 
of the Lake [Maumee] as soon as practicable, of which there can be no certainty until 
April. Three or four thousand hogs are reported by the contractor to be in readiness to 
proceed to Detroit by the route of the Auglaise, or Hull's I^oad. Subsequent information 
as to the number collected, and the price allowed to sub-contractors, induces a belief that 
not more than one thousand will reach that place. These facts have been communicated 
to the Government, with a request that funds might be transmitted to this place to enable 
a special commissary to endeavor to supply the troops of the frontier. There is reason 
to presume that a delay for an arrangement of this kind would be fatal ; more especially 
as it is the intention of the Government to increase the military force of the North- 
western frontier. 

I have, therefore, to request of your Excellency to solicit the Legislature of Ohio to 
aid the United States in effecting this important object in such a manner as they, in their 
wisdom, may deem most expedient. The loan of thirty thousand dollars would probably 
enable a person duly authorized to forward to Detroit, by way of Sandusky, five hundred 
barrels of flour, and fifteen hundred hogs. 

Overtures for peace having been made, however, and peace com- 
missioners appointed by the United States and Great Britain, a treaty 
closing the war was signed at Ghent, Belgium, December "24, 1814. 
And now came the time when the United States first entered into the 
full, peaceable, continued possession and jurisdiction of the territory 
of the Maumee River Basin and to the northward and westward — rights 
that should have been fully accorded this Government by Great Britain 
over thirty years before according to the Treaty of Paris. The infamy 
of the British Government during these_ thirty-eight years — from 1776 
to 1815 — is but sketched in minor part on the preceding pages. The 
strongest of language is necessar\ for its proper characterization. 
The later offenses were all the more reprehensible from the British being 
obliged November 30, 1782, to recognize in treaty the rights of the 
struggling patriots whom they had impoverished by many years of 
continued violation of civilized warfare! And then, after becoming 



CLOSE OF THE WAR OF 1812. 



363 



somcwliat n(_ii])i raliil, tluv ;ictid tin- i>arl of a conscienceless bully 
yet thirty years, harassinti ])ersonally and with the savages whom they 
continued to encourage to the commitnn nt of the most inhuman 
butcheries and atrocities!* 

The discharge of volunteers and drafted militiamen followed the 
recei])t of the news of peace as soon as practicable for tiie i)reservation 
of the public property; and all classes of people united in the general 
rejoicings. The forts were raintllv dismantled and abandoned, only the 
princii)al ones being continued during the winter. Fort Winchester 
was abandoned in thi- spring of iHl"), the etiuijiment being taken down 
the Maumee to I'ort Meigs, and thence to Detroit. The garrison of 
Fort Meigs had been reduced to forty men under command of Lieuten- 
ant .Vlmon Gibbs, and the ordnance to four cannon. These, with the 
military stores, were loaded on the schooner Blacksnake undi'r Captain 
Jacob Wilkinson, in May, iHl"), and taken to Detroit, thus leaving iiut 
one military i>ost, Fort Wayne, in this Basin. 



* Thomas Jefferson fully uiiderstood the British Government. In An^'ust. 1HI3, he wrote that . . 
the rcKeneration of llie British Bovernmcnl will take a lonner time tlian I have to live. ... I shall 
make my exit with a bow to^ it as the most flagitious of uovernmeiits 1 leave amone men. . Also 

after the Treaty of Ghent, in IH15. he wrote : , . We know that the wovernment of Hnulaiul, maintaining 
itself by corrui)tion at home, uses the same means in other countries of which she has any jealousy, by 
snbsidiitini; agitators and traitors ainonu themselves to distract and paralyze them. She sufficiently 
manifests that she has no disposition to spare ours. . . . Also in 1H16. . . . Great Britain in her 
pride and ascendency, has certainly hated and despised us beyond every earthly object. Her hatred 
may remain, but the hour of her contempt is passed ami is succeeded by dread; not a present, but a 
distant and deei) one. It is the greater as she feels herself plunged into an abyss of ruin from which no 
human means point out an issue. We also have more reason to hate her than any nation on earth. . 
The Jeffersonian Cyclopedia. Funk and Watrnalls Company. lOtttt. i)aees "iSts. 2»1<). 




.\ Cavali yman s Spur, found many years at'O near the .Maumee Kiver helow Deliance. Diam* 
of wheel about three inches. In the Author's Collection. 



364 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



CHAPTER XII. 

Later Descendants of the Aboricines — Final Treaties — 
Thetr Removal Westwarfj. 

The savages, the much valued allies of the British, were left with- 
out means of obtaining food for the winter after the Battle of the 
Thames. As at the close of the Revolutionary War thev turned at 
once, and with as little apparent regret for their jiast hostilities, to the 
Americans for their support — anxious to be fed, even if their savage 
propensities could not be gratified as they had been by the British. 
As formerly they gathered at Detroit in such great numbers that thev 
could not be iuWy fed, and they went about the streets gathering and 
devouring so far as they could the rinds of pork, crumbs, bones, and 
everything thrown out by the citizens and soldiers.* The decrepit, the 
women, and the children began to gather around General M'Arthur 
soon after the American army started from Sandwich for the Thames; 
and representatives of the Miamis, Ottawas, Pottawotamis, Chippewas 
and Kickapoos, all soon desired to be recognized in treaty council — 
and to be fed. 

Upon their delivering hostages for their good behavior, and agree- 
ing to deliver all their prisoners at Fort Wayne, General Harrison 
arranged for a treaty council to be held at Greenville, Ohio, the follow- 
ing summer; and his pacific as well as disci])linary work among these 
Aborigines was attended with such success that he and General Cass 
met the representatives of several tribes and their families, numbering 
about four thousand ( ?J at Greenville, Ohio, July 22, 1814, according 
to agreement, and there effected a treaty as follows: 

Article 1. The United States and the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanese, and 
Senecas, give peace to the Miami nation of Aborigines, formerly designated as the Miami, 
Eel River, and Wea tribes ; they extend this indulgence, also, to the bands of the 
Pottawatamies which adhere to the grand sachem Tobinipee, and to the chief Onoxa ; to 
the Ottawas of Blanchard River who have attached themselves to the Shawanese tribe, 
and to such of the said tribe as adhere to the chief called the Wing in the neighborhood 
of Detroit, and to the Kickapoos under the direction of the chiefs who sign this Treaty. 

Article 2. The tribes and bands abovementioned, engage to give their aid to the 
United States in prosecuting the war against Great Britain and such of the Aborigine 
tribes as still continue hostile, and to make no peace with either without the consent of 
the United States. The assistance herein stipulated for, is to consist of such number of 
their warriors from each tribe as the President of the United States, or any officer 
having his authority therefor, may require. 

Article 3. The Wyandot tribe, and the Senecas of Sandusky and Stony Creek 
[Michigan] the Delaware and Shawanese tribes who have preserved their fidelity to the 
United States throughout the war, again acknowledge themselves under the protection 



^ Compare Samuel R. Brown's Views on Lake Erie. paHe-95. 



EXPENDITURES FOR ABORIGINES /^ WAR OF 1812. 365 



of the .said States, and of no other Power whatever, and agree lo aid the United Slates 
in the manner stipulated for in the former article, and to make no peace but with the 
consent of the said States, 

Article I. In the event of a faithful performance of the conditions of this treaty, 
the United States will confirm and establish all the boundaries between their lands and 
tho.se of the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanese, and Miamis, as they existed previously 
to the commencement of the war. 

A lar^o numbi.T of PoUawotaniis, Winmhafiots and Cliiiipuwas, 
\ct adluiid to the British. The Agency for tfir payiiu nt of annuities 
to tlicsc people had been ke])t ojicn during tlie war, first at Fort Wayni 
and later at Pinua, Ohio. Tlie following list of payments by John 
Johnston Agent, show which tribes remained more generally within the 
American lines, the vacant S])aces indicating which tribes followed the 
fortunes of the British, viz: 

ANNUITIES WE. V.\W .AND DKLIVKRF.D TO THE DIFFERENT AUOKIGINE TRIBES 
FROM :!rd march, IHII, TO 3rd MARCH, 1815. 



Tribe 


Annual Amounl 

.Appropriations 

by Difterent 

Acts of 

Conuress 


Alnount Paid 
IHIl 


Ainoiinl Paid 
IJII3 


Amount Paid 
IHIS 


Amount Paid 
I8U 




S 2,:i00.00 
1,100.00 
1,000.00 
2,400.00 
1,,S00.00 
l.l.iO.OO 
1.000. 00 
1,000.00 
1,000.00 
1,400.00 
1,800.00 
1,800.00 
4,.)00.00 


$ 2,918.8!) 
1,100.10 
1,000.7."> 
l,000..->4 
l,79!t.24 
7.")0.00 
."lOO.OO 

1.000.00 

!»0(l.00 
1,400.00 
l.,S00.00 
1,800.00 
4,,->00.00 

28.239.2.5 








Eel River.. . . 








Shawnee 


$ 1,. 500.00 

400.00 

1,800.00 


S 1,. 500. 82 


S 1,. 500. 00 






l,39:i.04 


1 300 00 


Wea 




Kickapoo 


















1,000,00 
1,010.28 
1,.S00.00 
1,800.00 
4,410.00 

21,033.83 


400.00 


1 000 00 


Wyandot 
















Six Nations 


4,. 500. 00 
19,631.88 


2 .300 00 


To more distant / 


20 451 00 


Tribes \ 










$48,738.77 


8 34,754.11 


$ 27,42.5.74 


S2G,.5.51.00 







The Presents, Provisions and other sui)plies furnished Aborigines 
from 4th March, IHll, to 4th March, 1815, in addition to the foregoing 
amounted as follows: For Tribes on North and Northwestern Fron- 
tiers $225,788,02; Western Frontier $32,116.53: Southern Frontier 
$150,523.87; Those Visiting Seat of Government $30,350.94; At Detroit 
Agency $11,233.55; At Fort Wayne $32,175. 14 ; At Kaskaskia$10,410.3« ; 
At Vincennes $1,671.18; and at Chicago $2,377.55. Property within 
the Fort Wayne Agency taken and destroyed by the Aborigines, Listed 
31st March, 1814, $5,500.00; Chicago $13,074.47; Michilimackinac 
$12,961.31; Sandusky $6,333.83.* After the driving of the British 



* American State Papers, Aborinine Affairs volume ii pages 29, 30. 



^66 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

from AmherstburK and Detroit, and i)articularly after the Treaty of 
Greenville in 1(^14, the amount expended for the Aborigines by the 
United States increased materially. 

During the summer and fall of lHl;i nearly all the Mississippi tribes 
were gathered into councils and treaties and, in these as in all other 
similar acts of the United States, great magnanimity was manifested — 
no penalty was exacted but, in the language of each treaty 'every injury 
or act of hostility was forgiven and forgotten.' These tribes were the 
lowas, Kickapoos, Sioux of the Lakes, Sioux of St. Peters, Pianke- 
shaws, Great and Little Osage tribes, Yanctons, Mahas, Foxes, Tee- 
tons, Sacs, and Kansas. A treaty was also held Hth September, 1815, 
at Spring Wells, Michigan, at which 'the Ihiited States gave peace to 
the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Pottawotami tribes' and restored to them 
their former possessions 'they agreeing again to place themselves 
under the protection of the United States, and of no other Power what- 
soever.' And 'in consideration of the fidility to the United States 
which has been manifested by the Wxandot, Delaware, Seneca, and 
Shawnee tribes throughout the late war, and of the repentance of the 
Miami tribe, as manifested by placing themselves under the protection 
of the United States by the Treaty of Greenville in 1814, the said 
States agree to pardon such of the chiefs and warriors of said tril)es as 
may have continued hostilities against them until the close of the war 
with Great Britain, and to permit the chiefs of their respective tribes 
to restore them to the stations and property which they held previous 
to the war' they renewing and confirming the Treaty of Greenville in 
1795, and all subsequent ones. A treaty with the Weas and Kickapoos, 
like those here mentioned was entered into at Fort Harrison by the 
middle Wabash 4th June, 1816. And a renewing of treaties was in- 
dustriously sought and entered into with all the other tribes, east and 
west, north and south. 

The Aborigines generally, sated with war, had been comporting 
themselves in comparative quiet under the paternal ministrations of the 
United States since the close of the War of 1812.* The principal 



'^The number of Aborigines 'of all ages and sexes within the State of Ohio in 1^16' was reported 
to be. with their locations, as follows: 

Wyandots, by Sandusky River and its tributaries 695 

Shawnees, by the upper Auglaise River, and by the upper Miami, principal village 

Wapakoneta ^0 

Delawares, by the head waters of the Sandusky and Muskingum Rivers 161 

Senecas, and others of the Six Nations, between Upper and Lower Sandusky at and 

near Seneca Town 450 

Senecas. Munseys. and Delawares, by the headwaters of the Miami at and near Lew- 

iston, 30 miles northeast of Piqua 434 

Ottawas, about Maumee Bay and Lake Erie, near Fort Meigs, and by the Auglaise 

River — numbers not stationary — about 4.50 

(Completed on opposite page) Total 3036 



DIFFICULTIES IN CIVILIZING THE ABORICINES. 567 

(lifliniltits in civilizing llum at tliis timif as heretofore, are portrayed in 
a letter addressed 27tli August, 1M17, to Thomas L. M'Kinney Supor- 
inteiuli nt of Aborij^ine Affairs, Washingtc)n, l)y Benjamin F. Stickney 
then Aueiit to the Miamis and Pottavvotamis at Fort Wayne. These 
difficulties wore the same among all the tiilus, and were in addition to 
thiir native savage instincts, viz; 

I shall pay every attention to the subject of your letter, developing the exalted 
views of philanthropy of the Kentucky Baptist Society for Propagating the Gospel 
among the Heathen. The civilization of the Aborigines is not a new subject to me. I 
have been, between five and six years, in the habit of daily and hourly intercourse with 
the Aborigines northwest of the Ohio, and the great question of the practicability of 
civilizing them ever before me. That I might have an opportunity of casting in my mite 
to the bettering of the condition of these uncultivated human beings, and the pleasure of 
observing the change that might l)e produced on them, were the principal inducements 
to my surrendering the comforts of civilized society. 

Upon my entering on my duties, I soon found that my speculative opinions were 
not reducible to practice. What I had viewed at a distance as flying clouds, proved upon 
my nearer approach to be impassible mountains. Notwithstanding these discouraging 
circumstances, I am ready to aid your views by all proper means within my power ; and 
in so doing believe I embrace the views of the United Slates Government of which I am 
Agent. . . It will be proper for me to be more particular, and give you something of 
my ideas of the nature and e.\tent of the ol)stacles to be met. 

Firstly. The great, and I fear insurmountable, ol)stacle is the insatiablk timkst 
FOR INTOXICATING LiyL'ORs that appears to be born with all the yellow-skin inhabitants of 
America ; and the thirst for gain of some of the citizens of the United States appears to 
be capable of eluding all the vigilance of the Government to .stop the distribution of 
liquor among them. When the Aborigines cannot obtain the means of intoxication within 
their own limits, they will travel any distance to obtain it. There is no fatigue, 
risk, or expense, that is too great to obtain it. In some cases it appears to be 
valued higher than life itself. If a change in habit in this can be effected, all other 
obstacles may yield. But if the white people can not be restrained from furnishing them 
spirituous liquors, nor they from the use of them, I fear all efforts to extend to them the 
benefits of civilization will prove fruitless. The knowledge of letters serves as the 
medium of entering into secret arrangements with white people to supply the means of 
their own destruction and, within the limits of my intercourse, the principal use of the 
knowledge of letters or civilized language has been for them to obtain liquor for them- 
selves and others. 

Secondly. The general aversion to the habits, manners, customs, and dress of 
civilized people ; and, in many cases, an Aborigine is an object of jealousy for being 
acquainted with a civilized language, and it is made use of as a subject of reproach 
against him. 

Thirdly. General indolence, connected with a firm conviction that the life of a 
civilized man is that of slavery, and that savage life is manhood, ease and independence. 

Fourthly. The unfavorable light in which they view the character of the citizens 
of the United States — believing that their minds are so occupied in trade and specula- 
tion, that they never act from any other motive. . . Their opinion of the Government 



Total white population of Ohio believed to amount to about 450,000 souls — Statement of John 
Johnson, Aborigine Aeent at Pinna, Ohio, in The Western Gazeteer, or Emigrants' Directory, etc.. 
Auburn, N. Y., 1817. See Index references to oilier enumerations of Aborigines of different dates. 



368 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

of the United States is, in some degree, more favorable ; but secretly they view all white 
people as their enemies, and are extremely suspicious of everything coming from them. 

All the Miamis, and Eel River Miamis, are under my charge, about one thousand 
lour hundred in number: and there are something more than two thousand Pottawotamis 
who come within my agency. The proportion of children can not be ascertained, but it 
must be less than among the white inhabitants of the United States. They have had no 
schools or missionaries among them since the time of the French Jesuits. [Major 
Stickney overlooked the efforts of the Society of Friends by Little River in 1804 and 
afterward. See Index.] 

They have places that are commonly called villages, but perhaps not correctly, as 
the) have no uniform place of residence. During the fall, winter, and part of the spring, 
they are scattered in the woods, hunting. The respective bands assemble in the spring 
at their several ordinary places of resort, where some have rude cabins made of small 
logs covered with bark ; but more commonly some poles stuck in the ground and tied 
together with pliant slips of bark, and covered with large sheets of bark, or a kind of 
mat made of flags, [See ante page (i7 where this style of hut is described as being in 
use two hundred years before the date of this letter.] Near these places of resort they 
plant some corn \^zea mays]. There are eleven pf these places of resort within my 
agency. The Miamis and Eel River Miamis reside principally by the Wabash, Missis- 
sinewa, and Eel River, and at the head of White River. The Pottawotamis reside on 
the Tippecanoe, Kankakee, Iroquois, Yellow River, St. Joseph of Lake Michigan, the 
Elkhart, Miami of the Lake [the Maumee] and by the St. Joseph and the St. Mary 
emptying into it. 

They all believe in a God as creator and governor, but have no idea of His will 
being communicated to a man, except as it appears in the creation, or as it appears 
occasionally from his providential government. Some of them had been told of other 
communications having been made to the white people a long time since, and that it was 
written and printed ; but they neither have conception nor belief in relation to it. [This 
was probably the faint remembrance of the teachings of the Society of Friends twenty 
to twenty-two years before by Little River.] Their belief in a future existence is a kind 
of transubstantiation — a removal from this existence to one more happy, with similar 
appetites and enjoyments. They talk of a bad spirit, but never express any apprehen- 
sions of his troubling them in their future existence. * 



* It is obvious that the mind of the .Aborieiiies has never seriously occupied itself witli any of the 
higher tliemes of tliounht. The beings of its belief are not impersonations of the forces of Nature, the 
courses of human destiny, or the movements of human intellect, will and passion. In the midst of 
nature, the Aborigine knew nothing of her laws. His perpetual reference of her phenomena to occult 
agencies forestalled inquiry and precluded inductive reasoning. If the wind blew with violence, it was 
because the water-lizard, which makes the wind, had crawled out of his pool; if the lightning was sharp 
and fre'iuent. it was because the young of the thunder-bird were restless in their nest ; if a blight fell 
upon the corn, it was because the Corn Spirit was angry; and if the beavers were shy and difficult to 
catch it was because they had taken offense at seeing the bones of one of their race thrown to a dog. 
Well and even highly developed in a few instances — I allude especially to the Irociuois — with respect 
to certain points of material concernment, the mind of the .aborigine in other respects was and is almost 
hopelessly stagnant. The very traits that raise him above [againsti the servile races are hostile to the 
kind and degree of civilization which those races have attained. His intractable spirit of independence, 
and the pride l?l which forbids him to be an imitator, reinforce but too strongly that savage lethargy 
of mind from which it is so hard to rouse him. No race [people] perhaps, ever presented greater 
difficulties to those laboring for its [their] improvement. 

To sum up the results of this examination, this primitive man was as savage in his religion as in his 
life He was divided between fetich-worship and that next degree of religious development which con- 
sists in the worship of deities embodied in the human form. His conception of their attributes was such 
as might have been expected. His gods were no whit better than himself. Even when he borrows from 
Christianity the idea of a Supreme and Universal Spirit, his tendency is to reduce Him to a local 
habitation and a bodily shape ; and this tendency disappears only in tribes that have been long in contact 



TREATY OF 1817 SECOND ONLY TO THAT OF 1795. 569 

It had lonstaiitlv luiii tlir jiolirv ol tlic I'liiticl Slatt-s to k«,'fp 
spirituous lii|uors from tin- Aborijiint-s: to discouratic tlicir wandering 
habits by narro\viii(X their raiiK^'. and to inclinu them mori' and more to 
agricultural pursuits. This would admit oi iiarcflliriK the adjoining 
lands to citizen settlers who, by their industr\', would be exemplars for 
the self-support and civilizing of thi' Aborigines. Naturally the greater 
the number ol surh settlers thi' more secure should peace and prosperity 
become. With these results yet in view, a treaty and jjurchase council 
was called to meet at the ' Foot oi the Kajiids of the Miami [Maumee] 
of Lake Krie' i>robal)ly on ihi Kit bank ot the river at the site of the 
present Village of Maumit', the 2Uth Sejitember, 1H17. Here Generals 
Lewis Cass and Duncan MWrthur met the sachems and other chiefs, 
with the warriors of the Wyandot, Seneca, Delaware, Shawnee, Potta- 
wotami, Ottawa and Chippewa tribes and comjileted a treaty ranking 
in importance, particularly to Ohio, only second to the great Treatv at 
Greenville in 1795. The provisions of this treaty are as follows: 

Artici.k 1. The Wyandot tribe of Aborigines, in consideration of the stipulations 
herein made on the part of the United States, do hereby forever cede to the United 
States the lands comprehended within the following lines and boundaries : Beginning at 
a point on the southern shore of Lake Erie where the present .\borigine boundary line 
intersects the same, between the mouth of Sandusky Bay and the mouth of Portage 
River; thence, running south with said line to the line established in the year 17!).") by 
the Treaty of Greenville which runs from the crossing place above Fort Laurens to 
Loramie's Store ; thence westerly with the last mentioned line to the eastern line of the 
Reserve at Loramie's Store ; thence, with the lines of said Reserve, north and west to 
the northwestern corner thereof ; thence to the northwestern corner of the Reserve on 
the River St. Mary, at the head of the navigable waters thereof [site of the present City 
of St. Marys] thence, east to the western bank of the St. Mary River aforesaid ; thence, 
down on the western bank of the said river to the Reserve at Fort Wayne : thence, with 
the lines of the last mentioned Reserve, easterly and northerly, to the north bank of the 
River Miami of Lake Erie [Maumee] ; thence down on the north bank of the said 
river to the western line of the land ceded to the United States by the Treaty of Detroit 
in the year 1807 ; thence, with the said line south to the middle of said Miami [Maumee] 
River, opposite the mouth of the Great \u Glaise River ; thence down the middle of 
said Miami [Maumee] River and easterly with the Imes of the tract ceded to the 
United States by the Treaty of Detroit aforesaid, so far that a south line will strike the 
place of beginning. 

Art. 2. The Pottawatomie. Ottawa and Chippewa tribes of .\borigines, in 
consideration of the stipulations herein made on the part of the United States, do hereby 



with civilized white men. Tlie .-Vboriyine, yielding his untutored homaue to One .All-pervadinu and 
Omnipotent Spirit, is a dream of poets, rhetoricians, and sentimentalists— The Jesuits in North Amer- 
ica in the Seventeenth Century by Francis Parkman. Little, Brown and Company. IK98. 

The lives of the .-Vmerican .\borigines fully illustrate the creat power of heredity and early 
environment in the formation of habit (character) that lon^iest endures — and the lower in the scale of 
barbarism and savagery was the tribe, the more difficult it was to effect improvement toward civilization. 
These characteristics yet exist, markedly amoni; the more secluded tribes: and the missionary school 
teacher is not yet receivinc the ready and full secondinir ot his efforts that he is entitled to from the 
various kinds of white men found around their camptires. some bent on personal adventures and others 
under pay of museums and societies for gatherint! relics, myths and what not from these poor people. 



Z70 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

cede to the United States the land comprehended witltin the following lines and bound- 
aries : Beginning where the western line of the State of Ohio crosses the River Miami 
of Lake Erie [Maumee] which is about twenty-one miles above the mouth of the Great 
Au Glaise River ; thence down the middle of the said Miami [Maumee] River to a point 
north of the mouth of the Great Au Glaise River; thence with the western line of the 
land ceded to the United States by the Treaty of Detroit in 1807, north forty-five miles: 
thence west so far that a line south will strike the place of beginning ; thence south to 
the place of beginning. 

Art. 3. The Wyandot, Seneca, Delaware, Shawnee. Pottawatomie, Ottawa, 
and Chippewa tribes of Aborigines riccede to the cessions mentioned in the two pre- 
ceding articles. 

Art. 4. In consideration of the cessions and recognitions stipulated in the 
three preceding articles, the United States agree to pay to the Wyandot tribe, annually 
forever, the sum of $4000 in specie at Upper Sandusky ; to the Seneca tribe, annually 
forever, the sum of $500 in specie at Lower Sandusky [now Fremont] ; to the Shawnee 
tribe, annually forever, the sum of $2000 in specie at Wapakoneta ; to the Pottawatomie 
tribe, annually for the term of fifteen years, the sum of Sl.'iOO in specie at Detroit; to 
the Ottawa tribe, annually for the term of fifteen years, the sum of $1000 in specie at 
Detroit; to the Chippewa tribe, annually for the term of fifteen years, the sum ol $1000 
in specie at Detroit; to the Delaware tribe, in the course of the year ISIS, the sum ut 
8.")00 in specie at Wapakoneta, but no annuity ; and the United States also agree that all 
annuities due by any former treaty to the Wyandot. Shawnee, and Delaware tribes, and 
the annuity due by the Treaty of Greenville to the Ottawa and Chippewa tribes, shall 
be paid to the said tribes, respectively, in specie. 

Art. •"). The schedule hereunto annexed is to be taken and considered as part 
of this treaty ; and the tracts herein stipulated to be granted to the Wyandot, Seneca, 
and Shawnee tribes of Aborigines are to be granted for the use of persons mentioned in 
the said schedule agreeably to the descriptions, provisions, and limitations therein 
contained. 

Art. (1. The United States agree to grant by patent in fee simple to 
Do-an-quod. How-o-ner, Ron-ton-dee, Tau-yau, Rod-ta-yau, Daw-a-tont, Ma-no-cue, 
Tau-yau-dau-tau-son, and Hau-dau-u-waugh, chiefs of the Wyandot tribe, and their 
successors in office chiefs of the said tribe for the use of the persons and for the purposes 
mentioned in the annexed schedule, a tract of land twelve miles square at Upper San- 
dusky the center of which shall be the place where Fort Ferree stands ; and also a tract 
of one mile square to be located where the chiefs direct on a cranberry swamp on Broken 
Sword Creek and to be held for the use of the tribe. 

The United States agree to grant by patent in fee simple to Taw-aw-ma-do-yaw, 
Captain Harris, Isa-hovv-mu-say, Joseph Tawgyou, Captain Smith, Coflee-house, Run- 
ning-about, and Wiping-stick, chiefs of the Seneca tribe and their successors in office 
chiefs of the said tribe, for the use of the persons mentioned in the annexed schedule, a 
tract of land to contain thirty thousand acres, beginning on the Sandusky River at the 
lower corner of the section granted to William Spicer ; thence down the said river to the 
east side, with the meanders thereof at highwater mark, to a point east of the mouth of 
Wolf Creek; thence and from the beginning, east so far that a north line will include the 
quantity of thirty thousand acres aforesaid. 

The United States also agree to grant by patent in fee simple, to Ca-te-we-ke-sa or 
Black Hoof, By-a-se-ka or Wolf; Pom-the or Walker; She-men-etoo or Big Snake, 
Otha-wa-keseka or Yellow Feather. Cha-ka-lo-wah or the Tail's End, Pemthala or John 
Perry, Wabepee or White Color, chiefs of the Shawnee tribe residing at Wapakoneta, 
and their successors in office chiefs of the said tribe residing there, for the use of the 



TREATY AT FOOT OF MAUMEE RAPIDS IN 1817. 371 

persons mentioned in the annexed schedule, a tract of land ten miles square the center 
of which shall he the council-house at Wapakoneta. 

The United States also agree to Rrant hy patent in fee simple, to Pe-eth-tha or 
Falling Tree, and to Onowas-kemo or the Resolute Man. chiefs ol the Shawnee tribe 
residing on Hog Creek [the present Ottawa River in Allen County. Ohio] and their 
successors in office chiefs of the said tribe residing there, for the use of the persons 
mentioned in the annexed schedule, a tract of land containing twenty-five square miles 
to join the tract granted at Wapakoneta, and to include the Shawnee settlement on 
Hog Creek and to be laid off as nearly as possible in square form. 

The United States also agree to grant by patent in fee simple, to Qua-ta-wa-pee or 
Captain Lewis, She-kagh-ke-la or Turtle, Ski-lo-wa or Robin, chiefs of the Shawnee 
tribe residing at I.ewistown ; and to Mesomea or Civil John, Wa-kaw-ux-she-no or the 
White Man, Oquasheno or Joe. and Willaquasheno or When You are Tired Sit Down, 
chiefs of the Seneca tribe residing at Lewistown, and to their successors in office chiefs 
of the said Shawnee and Seneca tribes, for the use of the persons mentioned in the anne.\ed 
schedule, a tract of land to contain forty-eight square miles, to begin at the intersection of 
the line run by Charles Roberts in the year 1812 from the source of the Little Miami River 
to the source of the Scioto River, in pursuance of instructions from the commissioners 
appointed on the part of the United States to establish the western boundary of the 
Virginia military reservation with the .\borigine boundary line established by the Treaty 
of Greenville in r7it."i from the crossings above Fort Laurens to I-oramie's Store, and to 
run from such intersection northerly with the first mentioned line, and westerly with the 
second mentioned line, so as to include the cjuantity as nearly in a square form as prac- 
ticable, after excluding the section of land hereinafter granted to Nancy Stewart. 

There shall also be reserved for the use of the Ottawa Aborigines, but not granted 
to them, a tract of land on Blanchard's Fork [tributary] of the Great Au Glaise River, 
to contain five miles square the center of which tract is to be where the old trace crosses 
the said Fork [about the present Ottawa, Putnam County] : and one other tract to 
contain three miles square on the Little Au Glaise River, to include Oquanoxa's village.* 

Art. 7. And the said chiefs or their successors may, at any time they think proper. 
convey to either of the persons mentioned in the said schedule, or his heirs, the <iuant:tv 
secured thereby to him, or may refuse so to do. But the use of the said land shall be in 
the said person ; and after the share of any person is conveyed by the chiefs to him. he 
may convey the same to any person whatever. And anyone entitled by the said schedule 
to a portion of the said land may at any time convey the same to any person by obtaining 
the approbation of the President of the United States, or of the person appointed by him 
to give such approbation. And the agent of the United States shall make an equitable 
partition of the said share when conveyed. 

Art. 8. At the special request of the said Aborigines, the United States agree to 
grant by patent in fee simple to the persons hereinafter mentioned, all of whom are con- 
nected with the said Aborigines by blood or adoption, the tracts of land herein described : 

To Elizabeth Whitaker who was taken prisoner by the Wyandots and has ever 
since lived among them, twelve hundred and eighty acres of land on the west side of the 
Sandusky River below Croghansville [now Fremont] to be laid off in a square form as 
nearly as the meanders of the said river will admit, and to run an equal distance above 
and below the house in which the said Elizabeth Whitaker now lives. 



*The name of this Ottawa chief has become fixed at Uetiance in name of Street and Masonic 
Chapter as Oc-co-nox-ee. It is spelled variously in treaties and references to hostilities as Knoxas, 
Onoxa. and ' Ou-que-noe-seh, or the Ugly Fellow. ' He was an inebriate, and very quarrelsome. The 
village here referred to was situate at the present Charloe. Paulding County. Ohio, on the left bank of 
the Auglaise River, several miles below the mouth of the Little Auglaise. 



372 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

To Robert Armstrong who was taken prisoner by the Aborigines and has ever since 
lived among them and has married a Wyandot woman, one section to contain six hundred 
and forty acres of land on the west side of the Sandusky River, to begin at the place 
called Camp [Fortl Ball and to run up the river with the meanders thereof one hundred 
and sixty poles ; and from the extremity of these lines west for quantity. 

To the children of the late William M'Culloch who was killed in August, 1.S12, near 
Mauguagon, and who are quarter-blood Wyandot Aborigines, one section to contain six 
hundred and forty acres of land on the west side of the Sandusky River adjoining the 
lower line of the tract hereby granted to Robert .\rmstrong and extending in the same 
manner with and from the river. 

To John V'anmeter who was taken prisoner by the Wyandots and who has ever 
since lived among them and who has married a Seneca woman, and to his wife's three 
brothers, Senecas. who now reside on Honey Creek, one thousand acres of land to begin 
north forty-five degrees west one hundred and forty poles from the house in which the 
said John Vanmeter now lives, and to run thence south three hundred and twenty poles; 
thence, and from the beginning, east for quantity. 

To Sarah Williams, Joseph Williams, and Rachel Nugent late Rachel Williams, the 
said Sarah having been taken prisoner by the Aborigines and ever since lived amongst 
them and being the widow, and the said Joseph and Rachel being the children of the late 
Isaac Williams a half-blood Wyandot, one quarter-section of land to contain one hundred 
and sixty acres on the east side of the Sandusky River below Croghansville and to include 
their improvements at a place called Negro Point. 

To Catherine Walker a Wyandot woman, and to John R. Walker her son who was 
wounded in the service of the United States at the Battle of Mauguagon in 1812* a section 
of six hundred and forty acres of land each, to begin at the northwestern corner of the 
tract hereby granted to John Vanmeter and his wife's brothers, and to run with the line 
thereof south three hundred and twenty poles ; thence, and from the beginning, west for 
quantity. 

To William Spicer who was taken prisoner l>y the Aborigines and has ever since 
lived with them and has married a Seneca woman, a section of land to contain six hund- 
red and forty acres, beginning on the east bank of the Sandusky River forty poles below 
the lower corner of said Spicer's corn field, thence up the river on the east side with the 
meanders thereof one mile, thence, and from the beginning, east for quantity. 

To Nancy Stewart daughter of the late Shawnee chief Blue Jacket one section of 
land to contain six hundred and forty acres on the great Miami River below Lewistown to 
include her present improvements, three-quarters of the said section to be on the south- 
east side of the river and one-quarter on the northwest side thereof. 

To the children of the late Shawnee chief Captain Logan or Spa-ma-ge-la-be, who 
fell in the service of the United States during the late war, one section of land to contain 
six hundred and forty acres on the east side of the Great Au Glaise River adjoining the 
lower line of the grant of ten miles at Wapakoneta and the said river. 

To Anthony Shane [Chesne] a half-blood Ottawa Aborigine one section of land to 
contain six hundred and forty acres on the east side of the River St. Mary and to begin 
opposite the house in which said Shane now lives, thence up the river with the meanders 
thereof one hundred and sixty poles, and from the beginning down the river with the 
meanders thereof one hundred and sixty poles, and from the extremity of the said lines, 
east for quantity. 



* Matiuaga. Monyuaga or MauguaROn. was an .^boriyine village fourteen miles below Detroit. 
This battle Htli .^iiyust. 1HI2, was by the small .American force led b.v Lieutenant .Colonel James Miller, 
from Hull's Command at Detroit, when moving down the Detroit River to open the way to the Raisin for 
reinforcements and supplies under Captain Brush. They were opposed by the British Major Muir's 
troops and Aborigines under Tecumseh. VValk-hi-the-V\'ater, etc. Compare ante pane 27S. 



ABORIGINE RESERVATIONS IN TREATY OF 1817. 375 

To Jaim-s MI'herson who was taken prisoner by ihe AI)orif»ines and has ever since 
h'ved amon^ them one section of land to contain six hundred and forty acres in a square 
form adjoining the northern and western line of the ^rant of forty-eiKht iniles at I-ewis- 
lown. at such place as he may think proper to locate the same. 

To Horonu or the ("herokee Boy. a Wyandot chief, a section of land to contain six 
hundred and forty acres on the Sandusky River to be laid off in a square fornt and to 
include his improvements. 

To Alexander D. Godfrey and Kichard (lodfroy. adopted children of the Pottawa- 
tomie tribe and at their special request, one section of land to contain six hundred and 
forty acres in the tract of country herein ceded to the United States by the Pottawatomie, 
Ottawa and Chippewa tribes, to be located by them the said Alexander and Kichard 
after the said tract shall have been surveyed. 

To Saw-en-de-bans or the Vellow Hair or Peter Minor [Manard. Manor] an 
adopted son of Tondaganie* or the Dog. and at the special request of the Ottawas. out 
of the tract reserved by the Treaty of Detroit in 1H07 above Roche de Boeuff at ths 
village of the said Dog. a section of land to contain six hundred and forty acres to be 
located in a square form on the north side of the Miami [Maumee] at the Wolf Rapids 
[at the present Providence. Lucas County]. 

Art. !t. The United States engage to appoint an agent to reside among or near the 
Wyandots. to aid them in the protection of their persons and property, to manage their 
intercourse with the Ciovernment and citi/ens of the United States, and to discharge the 
duties which commonly appertain to the office of Aborigine .\gent : and the same agent 
is to execute the same duties for the Senecas and Delawares on the Sandusky River ; 
and an agent for similar purposes and vested with similar powers shall be appointed to 
reside among or near the Shawnees whose agency shall include the Reservation at 
Wapakoneta, at Lewistown. at Hog Creek [Ottawa River] and at Blanchard River : and 
one mile square shall be reserved at Malake for the use of the agent for the Shawnees. 
And the agent for the Wyandots and Senecas shall occupy such land in the grant at 
Upper Sandusky as may be necessary for him and the persons attached to the agency. 

Art. 10. The United States engage to erect a saw-mill and a grist-mill upon some 
proper part of the Wyandot reservation for their use ; and to provide and maintain a 
blacksmith for the use of the Wyandots and Senecas upon the Reservation of the Wyan- 
dots ; and another blacksmith for the use of the Aborigines at Wapakoneta, Hog Creek, 
and Lewistown. 

Akt. II. The stipulations in the Treaty of Greenville relative to the right of the 
Aborigines to hunt upon the land hereby ceded w-hile it continues the property of the 
United States, shall apply to this treaty ; and the .aborigines shall for the same term 
enjoy the privilege of making sugar upon the same land, committing no unnecessary 
waste upon the trees. 

Art. 12. The United States engage to pay in the course of the year 1818 the 
amount of the damages which were assessed by the authority of the Secretary of War 
in favor of several tribes and individuals of the Aborigines who adhered to the cause of 
the United States during the late war with great Britain and whose property was, in 
consequence of such adherence, injured or destroyed. And it is agreed that the sum 
thus assessed shall be paid in specie at the places and to the tribes or individuals herein- 
after mentioned, being in conformity with the said assessment, that is to say ; To the 
Wyandots at Upper Sandusky, four thousand three hundred and nineteen dollars and 



*This name like all others has been spelled variously. It is perpetuated in Tontoeany Creek and 
the Village of Tontoyany. both in Wood County. Ohio, across the Maumee River eastward from this land. 

t This name is tienerally known alone the Maumee and properly written as Roche de Bout, meaning 
the point or bit of rock which stands separated from the crag on shore. See engraving on later page. 



514 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

thirty-nine cents ; to the Senecas at Lower Sandusky, three thousand nine hundred and 
eighty-nine dollars and twenty-four cents ; to the Aborigines at Lewis and Scoutashas 
towns, twelve hundred and twenty-seven dollars and fifty cents ; to the Delawares for the 
use of the Aborigines who suffered losses at Greentown and at Jeromestown, three thous- 
and nine hundred and fifty-six dollars and fifty cents to be paid at Wapakoneta ; to the 
representatives of Hembis, a Delaware Aborigine, three hundred and forty-eight dollars 
and fifty cents, to be paid at Wapakoneta; to the Shawnees an additional sum of four 
hundred and twenty dollars to be paid at Wapakoneta : to the Senecas an additional sum 
of two hundred and nineteen dollars, to be paid at Wapakoneta. 

Art. Hi. And whereas the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars has been 
paid by the United States to the Shawnees. being one-half of five years' annuities due 
by the Treaty of Fort Industry ; and whereas the Wyandots contend that the whole of 
the annuity secured by that treaty is to be paid to them and a few persons of Shawnee 
and Seneca tribes; now. therefore, the commissioners of the United States, believing 
that the construction given by the Wyandots to the said treaty is correct, engage that the 
United States shall pay to the .said Wyandot tribe in specie in the course of the year 
1818. the said sum of two thousand five hundred dollars. 

.\kt. 1 I. The United States reserve to the proper autliorily the right to make 
roads through any part of the land granted or reserved by this Treaty; and also to the 
different agents the right of establishing taverns and ferries for the accommodation of 
travelers, should the same be found necessary. 

Art. 1."). The tracts of land herein granted to the chiefs lor the use of the Wyan- 
dot, Shawnee, Seneca and Delaware Aborigines, and the Reserve for the Ottawa 
Aborigines, shall not be liable to taxes of any kind so long as such land continues the 
property of the said Abori.gines. 

Art. l(i. Some of the Ottawa. Chippewa, and Hottawatomie tribes l)eing attached 
to the Catholic religion, and believing they may wish .some of their children hereafter 
educated, do grant to the rector of the Catholic church of St. .\nne of Detroit for the 
use of the .said church, and to the corporation of the college at Detroit for the use of 
the said college, to be retained or sold as the said rector and corporation may judge 
expedient, each one-half of three sections of land to contain six hundred and forty acres 
of land on the River Raisin at a place called Macon, and three sections of land not yet 
located, which tracts were reserved for the use of the said Aborigines by the Treaty of 
Detroit in 1807. And the Superintendent of Aborigine .Affairs in the Territory of Mich- 
igan [Governor Lewis Cass] is authorized on the part of the said Aborigines to select the 
said tracts of land. 

Art. 17. The United States engage to pay to any of the Aborigines the value of 
any improvements which they may be obliged to abandon in consequence of the lines 
established by this Treaty. 

Art. 18. The Delaware tribe of Aborigines, in consideration of the stipulations 
herein made on the part of the United States, do hereby forever cede to the United 
States all the claim which they have to the thirteen sections of land reserved for the use 
of certain persons of their tribe by the second section of the Act of Congress passed 
March 'i, 1807. providing for the disposal of the lands of the United States between the 
United States Military Tract and the Connecticut Reserve, and the lands of the United 
States between the Cincinnati and Vincennes districts. 

Art. lit. The United States agree to grant, by patent in fee simple, to Zee-shaw-au 
or James Armstrong, and to Sa-non-do-you-ray-guaw or Silas Armstrong, chiefs of the 
Delaware Aborigines living on the Sandusky waters, and to their successors in office chiefs 
of the said tribe, for the use of the persons mentioned in the annexed schedule, in the 
same manner and subject to the same conditions, provisions and limitations as herein- 



PROVISIONS IN TREATY OF 1817. 375 

liufore provided for the lands granted to the Wyandot, Seneca, and Shawnee Aborigines. 
a tract of land to contain nine square miles to join the tract granted to the Wyandots of 
twelve miles square, to be laid off as nearly in a scjuare form as practicable and to include 
Captain Pipe's village. 

Art. 20. The United States also agree to grant by patent to the i hiefs of the 
Ottawa tribes of .aborigines for the use of the said tribe, a tract of land to contain thirty- 
four square miles to be laid as nearly in a square form as practicable, not interfering 
with the lines of the tracts reserved by the Treaty of Cireenville. on the south side of the 
Miami Kiver of Lake Erie [Maumee] and to include Tushquegan or M'Carty's village 
[part of the present City of Toledo and eastward]: which tracts thus granted shall be 
held by the said tribe upon the usual conditions of .\borigine Reservations as though no 
patent were issued. 

Akt. 'i\. This Treaty shall take eflect and be obligatory on the contracting parties 
as soon as the same shall have been ratified by the President of the United States by and 
with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof. 

In testimony whereof, the said Lewis Cass and Duncan M"Arthur, commissioners 
as aforesaid, and the sachems, chiefs, and warriors of the Wyandot, Seneca, Shawnee, 
Delaware, Pottawatomie, Ottawa, and Chippewa tribes of Aborigines, have hereunto set 
their hands at the Foot of the Rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie [Maumee] this twenty- 
ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
seventeen. [Signatures] 

The sch*_-duK' rt-'ftTrrtl t(^ in this Trt-atv contains the names of indi- 
viduals amon^ whom the stvoral tracts of hind were to be divided. To 
anyone desirinj< to study further the wonderful names given by these 
Aborigines, this U)nj; list will altOrd ample ()]>]^()rtunity.* 

This Treaty also i>r()vided that three sections of land to contain six 



* See American State Papers Aborigine .-Xttairs. volume ii paces 134. i:i.5. 

The late General John H. Hunt in his MS. reminiscences wrote the following anecdote as an 
occurrence at this treaty, viz: .\n Aborigine present named Mesh-ke-mau, who was a ereat warrior and 
prided himself on being a British subject, had been bribed to oppose the treaty. When he saw the 
tribes giving way to Cass and MWrthur our Coniinissioners he became very angry. He made a speech in 
which he said that the palefaces had cheated the red men from their first landing on this continent. The 
lirsi who came said Ihey wanted land enougli to put a foot on. They gave the Aborigines an os for beef 
and were to have as much laud as the hide would cover — and they cut the hide into strings and got 
land enough for a fort. The next time they wanted more land they brought a great pile of goods which 
they offered for land. The red men took the goods, and the palefaces were to have for them so much 
land as a horse could travel around in a day. They cheated the red man again by having a relay of 
horses to travel at their utmost speed. In these ways ihey succeeded. [These are some of the para- 
phrases of the 'Walking Purchase' which were often employed to tease the Aborigines and to enliven 
the evenings and dismal days around the camptires and General Cass loved a good story. 1 ' Now, you 
Cass ' pointing his finger and shaking his tomahawk over Cass" head. ' Now you Cass come here to cheat 
us again.' Thus closing, he sat down. Cass replied : " My friends, I am much pleased to find among 
you so great a man as Mesli-ke-mau. I am glad to see you have an orator, a man who understands how- 
much you have been cheated by white people, and who is fully able to cope with them — those scoundrels 
who have cheated you so outrageously. ' Tis true what he has said, every word true. And the tirst white 
man was your French father. The second white man was your English father of whom he seems to 
think so much. Now you have a father, the President of the United States, who does not want to cheat 
you but wants to give you more land west of the Mississippi River than you have here, and to build mills 
for you, and help you till the soil.' Mesh-ke-mau raved and frothed at the mouth. He went up to 
General Cass, struck him on the chest with the back of his hand raising his tomahawk with the other 
hand while saying. "Cass, yon lie. you lie:' Cass turned to Knaggs an interpreter and said: 'Take this 
woman away and put a petticoat on her: no man would talk this way in council." [Nothing displeased 
an Aborigine brave more than to be called a womanl. Two or three Aborigines and interpreters led him 
out of the council house. . . There were 7(XX) Aborigines present at this Treaty, including women 
and children. 



376 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

hundred and forty acres each were to be reserved out of the tract of 
twelve miles square granted to the Wyandots. One of these sections 
was to be appropriated to the use of a religious missionary, one for the 
support of schools, and one for the support of mechanics. 

Following this treaty, which extinguished all claims of the 
Aborigines to most ol the territory ol this Basin, the civil jurisdiction 
of Logan County with court at Bellefontaine became operative over 
the Ohio part and so continued until the organization of counties here 
in the year 1820. 

Upon discussion in Congress, some of the grants of land in the 
Treaty at the Foot of the Maumee Rapids 29th Sejitember, 1817, were 
thought not sufficient, and that many of the individual grants with right 
to ctjnvey same were not proper. Therefore the same parties convened 
at the site of Fort Barbee, the present St. Marys, Ohio, the 17th Sep- 
tember, lHl''~i, and ratified the tollowing as sup])lementar\' to said 
Treaty, viz : 

Artklk I. It is agreed between the llniteri States and the parties hereunto that 
the several tracts of land described in the treaty to which this is supplementary, and 
agreed thereby to be granted by the United States to the chiefs of the respective tribes 
named therein for the vise of the individuals of the said tribes, and also the tract 
described in the twentieth article of the said treaty, shall not be thus granted, but shall 
be excepted from the cession made by the said tribes to the United States, reserved for 
the use of the said Aborigines, and held by them in the same manner as .aborigine 
reservations have been heretofore held. But it is further agreed that the tracts thus 
reserved shall be reserved for the use of the .\borigines named in the schedule to the said 
treaty, and held by them and their heirs forever, unless ceded to the United States. 

.\rt. 3. It is also agreed that there shall be reserved for the use of the Wyandots, 
in addition to the reservations before made, fifty-five thousand six hundred and eighty 
acres of l.ind. to be laid off in two tracts — the first to adjoin the south line of the section 
of six hundred and forty acres of land heretofore reserved for the Wyandot chief the 
Cherokee Boy, and to extend south to the north line of the reserve of twelve miles 
square at Upper Sandusky ; and the other to adjoin the east line of the reserve of twelve 
miles square at Upper Sandusky ; and to extend east for quantity. 

There shall be reserved for the use of the Wyandots residing at Solomon's town, 
and on Blanchard River in addition to the reservations before made sixteen thousand 
acres of land to be laid off in a square form on the head of Blanchard River, the center 
of which shall be at the Big Spring on the trace leading from Upper Sandusky to Fort 
Findlay ; and one hundred and sixty acres of land for the use of the Wyandots on the 
west side of the Sandusky River adjoining the said river and the lower line of two 
sections of land agreed by the Treaty to which this is supplementary to be granted to 
Elizabeth Whitaker. 

There shall also be reserved for the use of the Shawnees in addition to the reser- 
vations before made twelve thousand eight hundred acres of land to be laid off adjoining 
the east line of their reserve of ten miles square at Wapakoneta ; and for the use of the 
Shawnees and Senecas eight thousand nine hundred and sixty acres of land to be laid off 
adjoining the west line of the reserve of forty-eight square miles at Lewistown, and the 
last reserve hereby made and the former reserve at the same place shall be equally 
divided by an east and west line to be drawn through the same : and the north half of 



SUPPLEMENT TO TREATY OF 1817. OTHER TREATIES. 577 

the said tract shall be reserved for the use of the Senecas who resiile there and the south 
half for the use of the Shavvnees who reside there. 

There shall also he reserved for the use of the Senecas in addition to the reserva- 
tions before made ten thousand acres of land to be laid off on the east side of the 
Sandusky River adjoining the south line of their reservation of thirty thousand acres of 
land which begins on the Sanduskv Kiver at the lower corner of William Spicer's section 
and ('xcludinK therefrom the said William Spicer's section. 

Ak 1. '.i. it is hereby agreed that the tracts of land which, by the eighth article ol 
the Treaty to which this is supplementary, are to be granted by the United States to the 
persons therein mentioned, shall never be conveyed by them or their heirs without the 
permission of the United States. 

.\rt. 4. The United States agree to pay to the Wyandots an additional annuity of 
five hundred dollars, forever : to the Shawnees. and to the Senecas of Lewistown. an 
additional annuity of one thousand dollars, forever ; and to the Senecas an additional 
five hundred dollars, forever: and to the Ottawas an additional annuity of one thousand 
five hundred dollars, forever; and these annuities shall be paid at the places and in the 
manner prescribed by the treaty to which this is supplementary. 

.\ tiiatx was made '2')ih Srptiinhit", IHIK, at EdwardsvillLs Illinois, 
whctuin thf iVoria, Kaskaskia, MicliiKania, Cahokia, and Taniarois 
tribes ceded to the United States all Iheii ( laiins to the territory 
between the Ohio River on the south and the headwaters ol the Kas- 
kaskia and northern Sansiatiion to tlu Kankakee and Maple Rivers on 
the north; the Saline ("reek and Kaskaskia River valleys, inclusive, on 
the east, and the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers on the west. This 
treaty was siii)pleinentar\ to one made Kith August, IHOJJ, to include 
the Peorias, who wen- to r^-move to the Blackwater River in Missouri. 
The Great and Little Osage tribes were also treated with at St. Louis. 

At a treaty held at St. Marys, Ohio, 2nd October, iHl.s, the Wea 
Band ceded to the United States all the lands claimed and owned "by 
the said tribe within the limits of the States of Indiana, Ohio and 
Illinois.' A reservation along the middle Wabash was granted them. 
At the same place, and date, the Pottawotamis ceded their claims to 
the region along the Wabash and between the Tippecanoe and \'er- 
million Rivers in Indiana. 

The ;5rd October, 1818, the Delawares of Indiana ceded all their 
claiins in that State, and agreed to remove to a reservation west of the 
Mississippi for considerations of reservations, money, horses, pirogues, 
provisions, an annuity of four thousand dollars in specie in addition to 
that promised in former treaty, and a blacksmith. .\lso, per Article 8, 
a sum not exceeding thirteen thousand three hundred and twelve dollars 
and twenty-five cents was to be paid by the United States to satisfy 
certain claims against the Delaware nation : and it was to be expended 
by the Aborigine agents at Piqua and Fort Wayne agreeably to a 
schedule that day examined and approved by Jonathan Jennings, Lewis 
Cass and Benjamin Parke, the commissioners of the United States. 



518 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The next treaty of j^reat importanci' to this Basin reads as follows : 

Articles of a Treaty made and concluded at St. Marys in the State of Ohio be- 
tween Jonathan Jennings. Lewis Cass, and Benjamin Parke. Commissioners of the 
United States, and the Miami Nation of Aborigines : 

Article 1. The Miami Nation of Aborigines cede to the United States the follow- 
ing tract of country : Beginning at the Wabash River where the present Aborigine 
boundary line crosses the same near the mouth of Raccoon Creek; thence with the lines 
thereof to the St. Miry River, thence up the St. Mary River to the Reservation at the 
Portage, thence with the line of the cession made by the Wyandot Nation of Aborigines 
to the United States at the Foot of the Rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie [Maumee] on 
the 2S)th September. ISIT. to the Reservation at Loramie's Store, thence with the present 
Aborigine boundary line to Fort Recovery, and with the said line following the courses 
thereof to the place of beginning. 

Art. 2. From the cession aforesaid, the following Reservations for the use of the 
Miami Nation of Aborigines shall be made: One Reservation e.\tending 
along the Wabash River from the mouth of Salamonie River to the mouth of Eel River, 
and from these points running due south a distance equal to a direct line from the mouth 
of Salamonie River to the mouth of Eel River ; one other Reservation of two miles 
square on the River Salamonie at the mouth of Atche-pong-qwa-we Creek ; one other 
Reservation of six miles square on the Wabash River below the forks thereof ; one other 
Reservation of ten miles square opposite the mouth of the River A Boutte [Aboite] ; one 
other Reservation of ten miles square at the village of Sugar Tree Creek : one other 
Reservation of two miles square at the mouth of a creek called Flat Rock where the 
road to White River crosses the same. 

Art. ■!. The United States agree to grant by patent in fee simple to Jean Bapt. 
Richardville principal chief of the Miami Nation of Aborigines the following tracts of 
land : Three sections of land beginning about twenty-five rods below his house on the 
River St. Mary near Fort Wayne, thence at right angles with the course of the river 
one mile, and from this line and the said river up the stream thereof for quantity ; two 
sections upon the east side of the St. Mary River near Fort Wayne running east one 
mile with the line of the Military Reservation, thence from that line and from the river 
for quantity; two sections on the Twenty-seven-Mile Creek where the road from St. 
Marys to Fort Wayne crosses it being one section on each side of said creek ; two sec- 
tions on the left bank of the Wabash commencing at the forks [junction of Little River] 
and running down the river. 

The United States also agree to grant to each ot the following persons being 
Miami .\borigines by birth, and their heirs, tracts of land herein described: To Joseph 
Richardville and Joseph Richardville, Jun., two sections of laud being one on each side 
of the St. Mary River and below the Reservation made on that river by the Treaty of 
Greenville in IT!).!. To Pe-met-che or the Crescent one section below and adjoining 
the Reservation of Anthony Shane [Chesne] on the west side of the St. Mary River and 
one section immediately opposite to Macultamunqua or Black Loon : To Keen-qua-tak- 
qua or Long Hair, .^ronzon or Twilight, Pe-con-be-qua or a Woman Striking, Augh- 
qua-mau-da or Difficulty, and to Miagh-qua or Noon, as joint tenants five sections of 
land upon the Wabash River the center of which shall be the Wyandot village below 
the mouth of Tippecanoe River. To Francis Godfroy six sections of land on the 
Salamonie River at a place called La Petite Prairie. To Louis Godfroy six sections of 
land on the St. Mary river above the Reservation of Anthony Shane : To Charley a 
Miami chief one section of land on the west side of the St. Mary River below the section 
granted to Pe-met-che or the Crescent. To the two eldest children of Peter Langlois 
two sections of land at a place formerly called Village du Puant at the mouth of the 



TREATY WITH Ml AM IS AT ST. MARYS IN 1818. 379 

Kivcr called Pouce au Pichoux. To the children of Antoine Bondie two sections of 
land on the border of Ihe Wabash Kiver opposite a place called /7s/e kl'Aille; To 
Fran(;ois Lafonlaine and his son two sections of land adjoining and above the two 
sections granted to jean Hapt. Richardville near Kort Wayne and on the same St. Mary 
Kiver. To the children of .'\ntoine Rivarre two sections of land at the mouth i.f Twenty- 
seven-Mile ("reek and below the same. To I'eler Langlois youngest child one .section of 
land opposite the ("hipaille at the Shawnee village. To Peter Labadie one section of 
land on the River St. Mary below the section granted to Charley. To the son of Cleorge 
Hunt one section of land on the west side of the St. Mary River adjoining the two 
sections granted to Kran<;ois Lafontaine and his son. To Mesh-e-no-qua or the Little 
Turtle one section of land on the south side of the Wabash where the portage path 
strikes the same. To Josette Beaubien one section of land on the left bank of the St. 
Mary above and adjoining the three sections granted to Jean Bapt. Richardville. To 
.•\nn Turner a half-blooded Miami one section of land on the northwest side of the 
Wabash River to commence at the mouth of Fork Oeek on the west bank of the said 
creek and running up said creek one mile in a direct line; thence at right angles with 
this line for quantity. To Rebecca Hackley a half-blooded Miami one section of land 
to be located at the Munsee town on White River so that it shall extend on both sides to 
include three hundred and twenty acres of prairie in the bend of the river where the 
bend assumes the shape of a hor.seshoe. To William Wayne Wells a half-blooded Miami 
one section of land at the mouth of Fork ("reek where the Re.servation for Ann Turner 
commences, running down the Wabash River on the northwest bank one mile, thence 
back one mile, thence east one mile to the boundary line of the grant to Ann Turner. 
To Mary Wells a half-blooded Miami one section of land at the mouth of Stony ("reek 
on the southeast side of the W'abash Kiver the center of which shall be at the mouth of 
said creek, running with the meanders thereof up and down the Wabash River one-halt 
mile and thence back for quantity. To jane Turner Wells a half-blooded Miami one 
section of land on the northwest side of the Wabash River, to commence on the west 
bank of said river opposite the old limekiln, thence down the said river one mile and 
back for quantity. 

.\rt. 4. The Miami Nation of .\l>origines assent to the cession made by the 
Kickapoos to the United States by the treaty concluded at Vincennes !)th December. 180!). 

Art. ."). In consideration of the cession and recognition aforesaid the United 
States agree to pay to the Miami Nation of .\borigines a perpetual annuity of fifteen 
thousand dollars which, together with all annuities which by any former treaty the United 
States have engaged to pay to the said Miami Nation of Aborigines, shall be paid in silver. 

The United States will cause to be built for the Miamis one grist mill and one saw 
mill at such proper sites as the chiefs of the nation may select : and will provide and 
support one blacksmith and one gunsmith for them ; and provide them with such imple- 
ments of agriculture as the proper agent may think necessary. The United States will 
also cause to be delivered annually to the Miami Nation one hundred and sixty bushels 
of salt. 

Art. <i. The several tracts of land which by the third article of this treaty the 
United States have engaged to grant to the persons therein mentioned, except the tracts 
to be granted to Jean Bapt. Richardville. shall never be transferred by the said persons 
or their heirs without the approbation of the President of the United States. 

Art. 7. This Treaty shall be obligatory on the contracting parties after the same 
shall be ratified by the President of the United States by and with the advice and 
consent of the Senate thereof. 

In testimony whereof the said Jonathan Jennings, Lewis Cass, and Benjamin 
Parke, commissioners as aforesaid, and the chiefs and warriors of the Miami Nation of 
Aborigines, have hereunto set their hands, at St. Marys the 15th October, 1818. 



380 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The varioub tribes of Ahoriijines, and squads of tribes, became 
much dispersed and amalgamated, latterly through their own volition. 
To illustrate this, and the persistence ol the United States Goviiiinieiit 
in tracing them, in treating with them individually, and in cultivating 
relations of mutual benefit particularly l(3r their betterment towards 
civilization, the following additional treaties are mentioned, viz : 

A treaty at Chicago ^Oth August, l.Sil, l>etween Lewis Cass and Solomon Sibley, 
Commissioners of the United States and the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Pottawotami 
bands, wherein they ceded to the United States for valuable considerations their claims 
to lands in Michigan along the River St. Joseph of Lake Michigan to the lands bordering 
on this Basin ceded liy treaty at Detroit in 1S()7. A treaty at Prairie du Chien, Wiscon- 
sin, lllth August, 1S2.), with Northwestern mixed tribes; also with the same 2i)th July, 
1827. A treaty at the Wyandot Village near the Wabash River Hth February, 1828, 
with the Eel River and Thornton bands of the Miamis. A treaty at St. Joseph River, 
Michigan, 2Tth September, 1827, with dispersed Pottawotami bands to consolidate them 
on reservations, they releasing their claims to lands in eastern Michigan along the rivers 
Rouge, Macon, and Raisin. 

Agents for the Akoricinks, and Thkik Disklrsemknts. 
The United States Agency for the Aborigines at P'ort Wayne was 
conducted during the years IKOO to iHll by John Johnston, usually 
called Colonel. He was transferred in 1811 to Old Piqua a few miles 
north of the present Piqua, Ohio, where he retained headquarters as 
Agent for thirty years, until the removal of the last of the Aborigines, 
the Wyandots, from Ohio. He was succeeded at Fort Wayne by Ben- 
jamin F. Stickney, usually called Major, who had served a short time 
at Upper Sandusky. The Agency at Fort Wayne was necessarily 
closed by the siege of that post in iHl!^. This agency was revived 
after the war and the 1st April, IHIK, Major Stickney was yet serving 
there with salary of $750 per year and four military rations jJer day, it 
being the same pay received by Colonel John Johnston at Piqua. 
Doctor William Turner succeeded Major Sticknev as Agent at Fort 
Wayne he being charged by the War Department for his draft for 
$2,139.34 of the 1st April, 1820. From 3rd April, 1820, to 1st October 
John Johnston Agent at Piqua drew four drafts on the War Department 
against the Aborigine fund, amounting to $10,498. John Hays 'pres- 
ent Agent at Fort Wayne ' (he succeeded Doctor Turner August 14) is 
charged for amount advanced him 2Hth August and 1st October, 1820, 
$4,:-50;i.HO and for his draft of 31st December $1,661.77.* He was fur- 
ther charged with drafts as follows: 31st March, 1H21 $1,104.91^ ; 
1st July $622.75 and 6th July $410. The 8th April, 1«22, John Hays 
was yet Agent at Fort Wayne with salary of $1200 per year, and 
assisted by Benjamin Kercheval as Subagent at $500. James Mont- 
gomery was Subagent at this time for the Senecas by the Sandusky 

'■'American State Papers Aborigine .\ttairs, volume ii paye 312. 



EFFORTS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ABORIGINES. 381 

River at a salar\' (il !!i4l)!l.;!0 ; Jaiiiis M'I'liirson lor tlu' Simcas and 
Shawmis dI Lewiston with same i>a\ : Htniamin F. Sticknty Subantnt 
(or till- Ottawas aioiiji tlir lowir Maiimci- with residence at the site of 
{•"ort Miami, at salary ol $r)0(l ; and loliii Shaw Suhau'eiit lor the 
Wyandots at Upper Sandusky at same I'ay. The Interpreters lor the 
Agencies of this refjion at this time were: Thomas Uucluxjuet for the 
Shawnees at Wapakoneta, \\ illiani Walker (or the Wyandots at Upper 
Sandusky, each with a salary of l!iv4()H..'!(); and an Interjireter at the Fort 
Wayne Agency, name not fjiven, with salary o( $504. The blacksmiths 
promised in the treaties were: 1^. Brodrick, Piqua; John Lewis, San- 
dusky, with pa\- o( S470 i>er annum: and Richard Whitehouse at Fort 
Wayni- at !j(iH4. Other disbursements at and (or account o( these 
agencies were: at Pi(|ua, annuities lor 1H2() $K'5,;"i()0: also at same 
date (or carrying into ef{ect Aborigine treaties per Act o( Congress o( 
March, 1H19, $il,41-_'..'i4 :* annuities (or 1H-_M s;il,t)00. At Fort Wayne 
the i)a\nnnt ol annuities (or \^'20 aniountt d to $21,12].(tfl: (or mills, 
materials, etc., Sr),«;!H.4l), :uul same (or l^lil s;3,-2H4.50; annuities tor 
1^(■J1 !!;is,()7!i. 

The 1st March. 1^*1^;!, a len.i;tli\ report was made to Congress 
rt'garding the progress in abolishing the United States Trading Houses 
for the Aborigines according to the Act of the previous session. 

Ill 1>^"24 John Tipton was Aborigine Agent at F"ort Wayne (or the 
Miamis. Weas, Eel River bands, etc., in Indiana, receiving $1200 per 
year salary, with no subagent named. In addition to the subagents 
named above appears the name ol Benjamin F. Stickney (or the 
Ottawas li\ the I'.lainliard l\i\er as well as those by the lower Maumee. 

Laikr Ciikisriw Missionary Efforts. 

-Vbout the time o( the building o( Fort Miami on the site o( the 
liresent Village of Maumee in the spring of 1794, Reverend Edmund 
Burke built or occupied a log house there as a Roman Catholic Chapel. 
Later Father Gabriel Richards and other priests from Detroit occasion- 
ally visited the settlements along the Maumee and comforted those who 
desired their ministrations. While such visits had been occasionallv 
made since tlii' su]iiiression of the Jesuits in 1764, few i( any worked 
with the niissi.)nar\ (ervor among the Aborigines that was (ormerlv 
displayed by that devoted sect. Several religious societies, however, 
later than the early Jesuits, founded mission stations and schools for 
tlu' education and Christianization of the .Aborigines. The first of 
these in this western region were: 



* These sums include pay of superintendents, subaeents, interpreters and blacksmiths ; buildinfr 
and repairinc mills, agency houses, and blacksmith shops ; provisions, presents, and medical aid for 
Aboricines; tools, iron, steel and fuel for smiths; transportation of annuities, etc.. ai*d ether contingent 
expense- of the atejijy i.l.SCT.Uir for 1. 20. and tr.-HU.9r for 1S21. 



582 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The Missions of the Society of Friends. 

Thf Friends' (Quakers') Meeting for Sufferers held in Pfiiladelphia 
in tlu vear 1791, addressed a memorial to the United States Congress 
urtjins^ liacific measures for settKnu lU of the difficulties then exist- 
ing with the western Aborigines; and in 1792 the Yearly Meeting of 
Friends appointed a large committee to confer with the Meeting for 
Sufferers on this subject. Early in 179H the chiefs of several tribes, 
mostlx- of the New York Iroquois, visited Philadelphia by request of 
the United States authorities: treaty was made with them, and three 
commissioners were appointed to attend the large council called in 
1792 to meet the next summer by the lower Maumee River — see ante 
pages 157, 179. The Friends, with the consent oi the President, 
dejjuted six of their number to accompany the Commissioners to this 
council in interest of peace, viz: John Parrish, William Savery and 
John Elliott of Philadelphia, Jacob Lindlev of Chester County, Penn- 
s\l\ania, and Joseph Moore and William Hartshorne of New Jersey. 
Part of this committee accompanied General Lincoln, Commissioner, 
in boat by way of the Hudson, Mohawk and Oneida Rivers and Lake 
Ontario, while the others went across country on horseback in companj' 
with Colonel Timothy Pickering and Beverly Randolph the other 
Commissioners, all uniting at Niagara.* 

From the diaries of the Friends' experiences during this mission, 
kept bv Jacob Lindley and Joseph Moore t we learn that they dined 
with Lieutenant Governor Simcoe at Niagara in company with the 
Commissioners, and thought him 'a plain man and remarkably easy of 
access.' Leaving the Commissioners with Simcoe, the Friends, after 
visiting some members of that communion near-by, sailed from Fort 
Erie by slooji for Detroit w^here they arrived June 9, 1793. Detroit 
was mentioned as 'a small garrison town with a variety of inhabitants, 
with much of the sound of drums and trumpets, but not much religion.' 
There was as great a mixture of peoples as they had seen in the eastern 
cities — of English, Scotch, Irish, Dutch, Germans, French, Americans 
from different States, with blacks and yellows, and Aborigines of many 
tribes. There was only one Church-house, Roman Catholic, on the 
priest in charge of which they called and were civilly received. 
Colonel England British Commandant of Fort Lernoult at Detroit, 
received them kindly, invited them to dine with him, and called on them 
at their lodgings. He told them that he had, with much pains and 



*See Civilization of the Aborigines, by Halliday Jackson paues 7, 8. 31: and Narrative of the 
Mission of the United Brethren Among the Delaware and Mohegan Aborigines, by John Heckewelder 
pages 401 to 403. 

t Printed in The Friends' Miscellany, voltime ii paces 49. 1.% ; volume vi paees 289, 347 and onward ; 
and Reprinted together at Lansine, Michigan, in 1892 by .'\mbrose M. Shotwell. 



THE FRIENDS GO TO DETROIT FOR PEACE IN 1792. 583 

expensf, piocuntl mort- tliaii lilt\ prisoiurs tiom tin- Aliorij^ines, 
clotlu'd thtiii, and lorwaidi li llu-ni liomvward and, in common with the 
^vnt-Talitv ol mankind, man\' ot tlu'm did not i-x|)rrss an\' jiiatitudc: 
vi't lu' Icll tin- nvvard ol luiiiu a Iricnd ol mankind. Otlur officers 
trtattd llu I'riends kindly whicli acts did not prtvt-nt tin- latter from 
rclnikinK tiu' lax morals of th<' fornirr. 

W'hiif awaiting arrival ot tin- (!ommissioners, the Friends were 
active in seeking oi)i>ortunities to jireach to the people, which were 
found in jirivate houses and in the sail-loft by the Detroit River, and in 
the settlements above and helow, even to tin- Moravian settlement by 
the River Thames in Canada, where they fraternized with the United 
Brethren missionaries. This Moravian settlement was called the sixth 
place of retreat of this hand of Delawares. The Friends experienced 
difficulty in making themselves properly understood through their inter- 
ineters who had no ])ractice in translating anything but the ordinary 
limited vocabulary of the .\borigines. .\u enumeration of all the 
middle North .\merican tribes from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico 
and th<' Mississipi'i Basin, ])re))ared for British use, was seen and 
copied li\the Friends, the total ol individuals numbering 56,680. Blue 
Jacket, war-chief of the Shawnees, was met. lb' was dressed in 
scarlet cloth with gold tassels, and a laced hat. He had heard of the 
Ouakers he told them, and that thev w-ere harmless people who did not 
fight. He had expressed his opinion at the Grand Council which he 
had just left by the Maumee, and was then on his way to Montreal. 
The chiefs of the Cherokees and Creeks present at the Grand Council, 
also visited Colonel England who sent them by sloop to Lieutenant 
Governor Simcoe at Niagara to maintain the British influence over them. 

The United States Commissioners arrived at the present Amherst- 
burg, Canada, July 21st and the Friends who had awaited their coming 
for over six weeks joined them there the 25th. Both parties had been 
anxious to go to the Grand Council of Aborigines by the lower Maumee 
River (see ante page 180) to present in person their importunities for 
peace, and they now expected that the time had finally arrived : but the 
British agents, M'Kee and Elliott, held them at the mouth of the Detroit 
River until the last hope of a treaty with the Aborigines was gone. 
The mosquitoes, and the noises of the drunken savages who were every 
day passing to and from the Council, prevented sleep at night. Some 
suffered attacks of malaria. Deputations of Aborigine chiefs came to 
talk with the Commissioners, and it was evident to all that they were 
under the undue influence of the British. Not being permitted to go to 
the Council, both parties wrote letters to be read there b\- M'Kee or 
Elliott who were also their carriers. The time passed slowly and 
heavily with all. with their physical unrest and their great mental 



384 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

anxiety regarding the success of their mission. The Friends sought 
relief in the study of the coming and going people, and in efforts to 
impress them with their mission. They found here, as at Detroit many 
African and Pawnee slaves. One of the latter, a slave belonging to the 
British agent Elliott, died of pulmonary tuberculosis at this time and 
was hastily buried in a shallow grave by the river. The sloop Detroit 
sto])ped there August 3rd, on her way to Fort Erie, laden with three 
hundred and thirty-three packs of peltries most of which packs were 
rated at twenty guineas sterling each: and they learned much regarding 
the fur trade, including its great extent. 

In the afternoon of August 16th two young Wyandots arrived with 
a message in writing, ostensibly from the Grand Council, to the Com- 
missioners. After careful reading, it was declared to be of British 
production, and contemptible : and the Friends approved the verdict. 
General Lincoln said it was such an answer as he could have wished. 
This expression was in consonance with the opinion of a Moravian 
missionary who said to the Friends 'if a treaty of peace be signed it will 
not last long— not until after the Aborigines are further chastised by 
the sword ' : and Lindley wrote that ' the history of their barbarity, 
treachery, and breach ol faith to the white people, and to one another, - 
which we have heard rehearsed by people well acquainted with the 
facts since we arrived here, would be jiainful, tedious, and indeed too 
shocking to rehearse.' Nathan Williams 'an intelligent man especially 
in Aborigine affairs' in a friendly way expressed fears to the Friends 
while in Detroit, that they would be either killed or kept as hostages if 
they ventured to the Council. 'And truly' wrote Jacob Lindley ' I am 
not astonished at his idea, considering the spectacles of human misery 
he is almost daily presented with, and the humours he hears — where 
tribes of Aborigine warriors have so frequently passed with their dis- 
consolate prisoners, and with poles stuck up in front of their canoes, 
some with fifteen, others with thirty scalps suspended on them in trophy 
of their courage and victory.' 

The Commissioners and Friends started by sloop Dunmore for 
Fort Erie August 1, 1793, on their return home without further hope 
of success in their present mission, the Friends 'endeavoring to rest 
quiet, leaving the event in this part of the world, where but little 
morality, law or religion, appears to govern the people, to Him who 
judgeth righteously.' And, after separating from the many vile scenes 
he had witnessed, and arriving among his tried and congenial acquaint- 
ances, Joseph Moore wrote ' I felt myself in some measure like one 
let out of prison.' 

The Baltimore, Maryland, Yearly Meeting of Friends in 1795 
appointed a large committee to consider the affairs and needs of the 



THE FRIENDS VISIT THE WY AN DOTS IN 1799. 



385 



Aljoritjines. This committLf instituli d iiivestijitations by visits each 
year to ditfiT<iit tribes and by in(|iiiries at the United States War 
Office, then in rharnc of the Aborijiines. '^ 

At the Yearlv Meetinj; of Friends in 
Baltimore in 17'.!^ a 'speech was presented 
on a lar},^e lielt and ten strings of white 
wampum' inviting the friends to visit the 
W'yandots and Delawares at Uiijjer San- 
dusky and the eastern part of this Basin, 
according to tlieir rt'iuest. To this speech' 
was appended the names of chiefs Tarhe 
* the Crani' t Skah-on-wot, Adam Brown, 
and Mai-i-rai ( Walk-on-the-water). Evan 
Tliomas, George Ellicott, Joel Wright, and 
l^eese Cadwallader were appointed a com- 
mittee to make such visit; and they ]ier- 
niitted tile company on request, of Gerard 
lirooke, Andrew Ellicott and Philip E. 
Thomas. Those resident at Baltimore 
started for this visit 7th May, 1799, and 
were joined by the others on the way. They 
traveled on horseback by as direct course as 
practicable. The record of their journevt 
is well written and interesting. Thev were 
much delayed and inconvenienced in cross- 
ing the swollen rivers and creeks. Upon 
their arrival at Upper Sandusky, June 3rd, 
they found shocking scenes of drunkenness 
and were subjected to indignities. Tarhe 
was not able to meet them on account of his intoxicated condition 
until late the next day, and then with three chiefs the meeting was 
brief. Tarhe informed them that the council would not meet until the 
middle of themonthj when he would lay the subject of theirmission for 
instruction in religion, books, domestic affairs, agriculture, etc., before 
the council and as soon as decided on he would send them a speech. 
He presented four strings of white wampum for them to take 
to their great men. The Friends then gave presents to the chiefs, 
and the meeting ended. They experienced difficulty in getting food 




STRINGS llh WAMPIM. 



* These proceedings and reports are sketched in the Appendix to Gerard T. Ho[)kins" little hook 
on A Mission to the Aborigines, etc.. Philadelphia. 1862. 

t Printed in the Friends' Miscellany for October. 1835. volume vii, number 7. 

i There was a misunderstanding recardint; the time of this council's meeting. The necessit.v for 
great care in intercourse became more and more apparent on account of the uncertainty of the .abo- 
rigine's languaize, and their peculiarities. 



386 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

at the town, and started homeward the same day by a more southern 
route. Nothing was heard from the Wyandots in direct response to 
this committee's visit. 

In the winter of 1803-04 Tarhr, and about one hundred hunters, 
mostly Wyandots, went to the upper waters of the Mahoning River to 
hunt bears. Snow fell to the depth of three feet which, with their 
previous improvident use of their United States Annuity receipts and 
their established habit of beggary, quite incapacitated them in their 
opinion for any action but appeals for help to some families of Friends 
who lived about twenty miles distant. The first appeal, w'ritten by a 
lounging white man in their camp, reads in part as follows after being 
straightened out : . . . Brothers, will you please help me to fill 
my kettles and my horses' troughs, for I am afraid my horses will not 
be able to carry me home again. Neighbors, will you please to give if 
it is but a handful apiece, and fetch it out to us, for my horses are' not 
able to come after it. [Signed] Tarhie. Their needs were supplied 
by some o( the nearest Friends, and then came another writing, in 
part as follows: . . Brothers, I want \ou to know I have got 

help from some of niv near neighbors. Brothers, I would be glad to 
know what you will do for me, if it is but little. Brothers, if you can- 
not come soon, it will do bye and bye, for my belly is now full. 
My Brothers, Quakers, I hope our friendship will last as long as the 
world stands. All I have to say to vou now is, that I shall stay here 
until two moons are gone. Tarhie.' More food was taken to them by 
these Friends and membars of the Redstone, Pennsylvania, Quarterly 
Meeting. 

The good name and fame of the Society of Friends (Quakers) 
spread to the different tribes: and the latter part of the year 1796 
Chief Little Turtle of the Miamis visited Philadelphia with Captain 
William Wells (who married his sister) as interpreter, for the ])urpose 
of enlisting the assistance of the Friends in civilizing the Miamis at 
Fort Wayne and its vicinity.* This visit was not immediately pro- 
ductive of the result desired : but the Friends continued their inquiries, 
and the following letter, jirobably written l)y Captain William Wells, 
shows a result of the work of the Committee of the Baltimore Yearly 

Meeting, viz: 

The Little Turtlp;'s Town. [Eel River. Indiana] Sept. IS, ISO:!. 

To Evan Thomas, George EUicott. and others, Brothers and Friends of our Hearts : 
We have received your speech from the hand of our friend Wm. Wells, with the imple- 
ments of husbandry that you were so kind to send to his care — all in good order. 

Brothers, it is our wish that the Great Spirit will enable you to render to your Red 
Brethren that service which you appear to be so desirous of doing them, and which their 
women and children are so much in need of. 



^ Compare Count de Volney's View of ths Soil and Climate of the United States. IMtM, paye ;^'JT. 



INVITATION TO FRIENDS TO VISIT FORT WAYNE. 587 

Brothers, we will try to use the articles you have sent us, and if we should want 
more we will let you know it. 

Brothers, we are sorry to say that the minds o( our people are not so much inclined 
towards the cultivation of the earth as we could wish them. 

Brothers, our Kather. the President of the United States, has prevented our 
traders from selling liquor to our people, which is the best thing he could do for his Red 
Children. 

Brothers, our people appear dissatisfied because our traders do not, as usual, bring 
them liquor and, we believe, will request our Father to let the traders bring them liquor, 
and if he does, your Red Brethren are all lost forever. 

Brothers, you will see from what we have said that our prospects are bad at present, 
though we hope the Great Spirit will change the minds of our people and tell them it is 
better for them to cultivate the earth than to drink whiskey. 

Brothers, we hope the Great Spirit will permit some of you to come and see us, 
when you will be able to know whether you can do anything for us or not. 

Brothers, we delivered you the sentiments of our hearts when we spoke to you at 
Baltimore* and shall say nothing more to you at present. We now take you by the hand, 
and thank you for the articles you were so kind to send us. 

[Signed] The Litti.k Turtle, Miami Chief. 

The Five Meiials, Pottawotami Chief. 

This letter was carefull\ considered b\- the Committee on Aliorig;- 
ine Affairs at its meeting in Baltimore in F"ebruary, 1H04, and it was 
decided that a visit to these tribes would In- the best means of obtain- 
ing a knowledge of their disposition, and enable the Friends to ascer- 
tain the best course to ])ursue to be useful to them. George EUicott, 
Gerard T. Ho])kins, Jixl Wright and Elisha Tvson were named a 
special committee to make this visit; and they were authorized 'to take 
one or more suital)le persons with them to reside amongst the Aborig- 
ines, to instruct them in agriculture and other useful knowledge if it 
should api)ear that they would be benefited thereby.' 

Friends Hopkins and Ellicott starti'd on this mission on horsrbark 
February 23, 1804, taking along Philip Dennis to remain with the 
Aborigines and serve as teacher if conditions were found favorable. 
They crossed the Potomac River on the morning of the 25th and the 
Shenandoah the same day. Continuing, their course led across the 
south and north tributaries of the Potomac, along and across the 
different ranges of the Allegheny Mountains, through falling snow and 
its accumulations to the depth of two feet with severe weather: 
across the tributaries of the Youghigeny River, to and along the 
Monongahela and through Redstone, Brownsville, and Washington, 



* The Aborigine chiefs 'from the banks of the Wabash. Lake Erie, and Lake Michigan' of the 
Pottawotami, Miami, Delaware, Shawnee, Wea (Ouiotenon'' Eel River, Piankeshaw. Kickapoo, and Kas- 
kaskia, tribes and bands, while on their way to visit the President of the United States, had conferences 
with the Friends of Philadelphia and Baltimore the latter oart of December, 1801. with Captain William 
Wells, linited States .^cent to these .\boriBines as interpreter. Wells was born in Kentucky, and was 
taken captive by the Miamis in 1T7.5 when eight years of age. He was fluent in English and Aborigine 
tongues and a good writer. The * speeches ' were written as interpreted 'with accuracy by Gerard T. 
Hopkins a stenographer of great ability." 



388 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Pennsylvania, and across the Ohio River the 10th of March. Thence 
through Zanesville, Ohio, Lancaster, and Chillicothe then the Capitol 
where they received a call from Governor Edward Tiffin who supped 
with them and favorably impressed them with his friendly affability. 
They arrived at Dayton the 24th of March and thence passed up stream 
along the Miami River where there was scarcity of corn and feed for 
their horses. Here they saw a flock of wild parrots which they were 
informed were there common. They were the size of doves and with 
lilumage resembling that of the green parrots of South America, the 
head red and the wings tipped with red. The tail was long and the 
bill and tongue were the same as those of the chattering parrot, as were 
their notes. They also saw woodcocks with black heads and ivory- 
colored bills.* 

Continuing northward the Friends passed Fort Piqua, in one of 
the houses of which they slept on the floor, thence to Loramie's Store, 
and along the portage to a tributary of the River St. Mary where they 
camped for the night. Soon alter their fire was kindled a whoop was 
heard in the woods which, they had been informed, was a signal from 
Aborigines to be answered in kind if their ayiproach would l>e tolerated. 
The answer was given and soon two Aborigine men with guns on one 
horse followed by two women and a girl on another horse, rode before 
them smiling. They were the first Aborigines seen, the several camps 
passed being empty although much game abounded. These Aborigi- 
nes could onlv utter 'Delawares, Delawares' in English and, after 
shaking hands, soon passed on southward. March 29th the Friends 
crossed the River St. Mary one at a time in a canoe owned by an Abor- 
igine named Stephen who was intoxicated and tell from the boat into 
the deep water here about 150 feet wide. He was readily rescued and 
afterwards worked steadier. The horses were led behind the canoe. 
Stephen's charge was one quarter dollar per man, saying that his usual 
charge to packers was one dollar. Traveling northwestward in the 
rain, the Friends arrived, on March 30th, within thirty rods of Fort 
Wayne when they were commanded by the sentinel to halt. A ser- 
geant approached, inquired their names, their luisiness and their des- 
tination. Answers to these questions being satisfactory to the com- 
mandant, the sergeant soon returned and conducted them to Cajitain 
Whipple to whom they presented their letter from Henry Dearborn 
Secretarx- of War addressed ' To the commanding officer at Fort 
Wavne, Mr. |(5hn |ohnson Aborigine Factor [Agent] anci Mr. William 



See A Mission to the Aborigines from the Committee of Baltimore Yearly Meeting to Fori 
Wayne in 1804. by Gerard T. Hopkins, Philadelphia, 1863. paye 40. 

The parrots here mentioned were probably of the Carolina Paroquet, Conurus Carolinensis L., 
which formerly abounded in Ohio, but unfortunately became extinct many years ago from the wicked 
impulse of owners of yuns to shoot every animal they saw, partirularly if rare and beaiitifnt. 



COMMITTEE OF FRIENDS AT FORT WAYNE IN 1804. 589 

Wills Al)ori};inf Atcfiit.' This IfttLT was a liberal commendation of 
the conniiittir and tliiii motives, readint; liuther ' thi'V are entitled to 
all the civilities in your power to histow.' . . (leneral Dearborn 
was iHrs<inall\- ac(|uainted with the membirs of thi' romniitti'e, was in 
hearty synipatlu willi their mission, and rode on horseback (rom 
Washinjiton to lillicott's Mills, a distance of forty miU-s, to jtresent 
letters of commindation to this committee. Johnston and Wells called 
on thiMii ; and Wells dis])atched for Litth' Turtle at his village eighteen 
miles distant by fiel Kiver, and to Chief l'"ive Medals at his village by 
the Kiver St. losei)h of Lake Michigan, a distance of forty miles. 
Thev all dined with ('a]>tain \\'lni)i)le Commandant of the Fort, who 
'behaved with a tnedom and gentility becoming a well bred man.' 
The F"ort ' was large and substantial . . commanding a beautiful 
view of the rivers, as also of an extent ot about lour scjuare miles of 
cleared land, much of which was cleared by the army ot the United 
States. . . Thi' garrison kept here at present consists of about 
forty officers and soldiers." . . The I^'riends were surjjrisid to ob- 
serve' that no attention was given in fort and village to the ])roper ob- 
servance of the first da\' of the week (Sundav). In the afternoon Five 
Medals and two sons called on them, first karning ' that some (Juakers 
had come ' after their arrival in the village ; and the chief recognized 
and greeted the committee heartily. Little Turtle arrived the next day 
at noon and ai)])roachtd the committee ' with a countenance placid 
beyond description ; took us by the hand with cordiality, and exi)ressed 
himself in" terms ot great gladness at meeting with us. . . About 
two o'clock we dined. .\t the head of the table sat the interpreter's 
[William Wells'] wife who is a modest, well-looking .Aborigine woman, 
the daughter of a distinguished chief [and sister of Little Turtle]. 
She had prepared for us a large well roasted wild turkey and also a 
wild turkey boiled, and for these she had provided a large supply of 
cranberry sauce. The Little Turtle sat at the table with us, and with 
much sociability we all partook of an excellent dinner.' 

fn the afternoon Five Medals and two sons called at Wells' house, 
and a formal conference regarding the mission was entered upon. 
Infirm health and family circumstances were presented by the Friends 
as reasons for the absence of two members of the committee : that the 
three had come not to talk, but to do something for the betterment of 
the condition of the .\borigines : and they suggested that a call be 
issued for a general meeting of the Aborigine people of both sexes and 
all ages. This suggestion was an unusual one to the chiefs who were 
wont to sit in council individuallv, and they urged that the general 
meeting be at least deferred inasmuch as the young men were hunting 
at a distance, and many of the women were making sugar from the sap 



590 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

of the maple trees in the, woods. But the Friends urged that the 
season was advancing, and immediate preparations should be made for 
the first practical lessons in agriculture. The chiefs asked for eight 
days time in which they could gather at Fort Wayne ' a considerable 
numl)er of their indolent people who were too lazy to hunt or make 
sugar, but such they did not wish us [the committee] to see.' 

The Friends were entertained b\- John Johnston Agent of the 
United States Trading House for the Aborigines, and there the chiefs 
took supper with the mission committee. Under the guidance of 
Captain Wells the following days, the Friends went over the lands most 
suitable for cultivation, and at the same time observed the most historic 
places and listened to their stories as told by Wells — the sites of the 
villages : the places where General Harmar's men were slaughtered in 
1790, see ante page 166 : the field where Little Turtle assembled his 
fourteen hundred men (Wells being among the number as a captive) 
to overwhelm General St. Clair's army at the present Fort Recovery 
about fifty miles distant. The long vista of history, with numerous 
shallow graves and other numerous evidences of mortality, brought 
forcibly to the mind of Friend Hoi)kins these lines from Young's 
Night Thoughts: 

Where is the dust that hath not been alive ! 
The spade, the plough, disturb our ancestors ; 
From human mould we reap our daily bread. 

The rides to the country included visits to large sugar camps, and 
the 'prairie' between the St. Mary and Little River (the Glacial Drain- 
age Channel, see Map ante page 28) the distance from one to the other 
being but fcnir miles in the then swami)y land, and the watershed-ridge 
but five feet high with reports of canoes passing over in highest stages 
of water. The subject of a canal through this ridge was also men- 
tioned. .\borigines were constantlx coming and going, the women 
carrying the burdens of packs of skins and bark bo.xes of maple sugar 
each weighing about fifty pounds. The Government carpenter was at 
work on a council house ordered to be built '2') x 50 feet in size of hewn 
logs by the Government on request of the .Miorigines : and a black- 
smith found ready work in repairing the .Vborigines' guns. 

The .Vborigines assembled at the house of William Wells, inter- 
preter, on the morning of April 10th were Me-she-ke-nah-que or Little 
Turtle Miami War Chief, O-bos-se-ah or the Fawn, Miami Village Chief 
of distinction, and Os-so-init Pottawotami Village Chief and brother of 
Five Medals who could not return from infirmity ; also a considerable 
number of their principal young men, and several women. There were 
also present Agent John Johnston, Cajitain Whi])ple, Lieutenants 
Campbell and Simms, and several of the more prominent citizens. The 



FRIENDS TEACH AGRICULTURE AT FORT WAYNE. 591 

l"ri( litis cxplainud tlic cause and ()l)|ict c)t thfir coming, with strong 
arKumont in favor of the Aborit^ints givinji more attention to domestic 
animals and cultivation of the land: and introduced Philij) Dennis 
whom they had broujjht alonjf to gratuitously aid them in this work, the 
men, not the women who could find work at si)inning and weaving in 
addition to household affairs. Little Turtle alone sijoke for the Abor- 
igines* stating that his heart was overjoyed and warmed by what the 
Friends had said ; that all could not be done immediatels : that it had 
been agreed to place the farmer Friend, Philip Dennis, by the Wabash 
River to prevent the jealousy that would arise if he was placed near anj' 
village ; and he was in full accord with what had been said regarding 
the work of their women, hoi)ing that the young men would flock to the 
farm and get all the good possible. 

The morning of .'\pril I'ith the Friends, William W^ells, and Mas- 
sanonga or Clear Sky a handsome young man of the Wea band who 
had been chosen by tlie Aborigines as their guide and who said he 
should be the first to take hold of Philip's Plow, started for the desig- 
nated locality In tin- Wabash seven miles below the mouth of Little 
River and called thin\ -two miles southwest of Fort Wayne. Here 
about twenty-fiive acres of fertile and desirable land was found cleared, 
and the Wabash presented a good site for a dam and water-power for 
mills. Massanonga killed a wild turkey with his knife, hastily dressed 
and roasted it, thus affording them a good supper. They slept in the 
open, wrapiied in their blankets around the fire. Otters were noisy 
during the night along the river ; deer approached the fire and made a 
whistling sound : wolves howled around ; and at early morning the 
whole region was vocal with wild turkeys, but the night was refreshing. 
A place was staked for a humble dwelling for Philip Dennis. His 
nearest neighbors were at Little Turtle's town eighteen miles east of 
north, and the next at the Mississinewa town about thirty miles south- 
west ; but Aborigines and traders, mostly Frenchmen, were frequently 
passing along the Wabash less than two hundred feet distant. 

The party returned to Fort Wayne .April 13th, and the loth the 
committee of Friends said farewell to Philip Dennis, to the carpenter and 
the blacksmith, and to the agents and officers of the Fort, and entered a 
pirogue obtained by Captain Whipple and supplied with food by Agents 
Johnston and Wells, and manned for Detroit by Corporal King and a 
private soldier from Fort Wayne. Their journey down the Maumee River 
(chapter on which please see under date of 1804) was rapid and pleas- 
ant, but they were detained at the mouth of Maumee Bay, and River 



* This aditiirable address was taken steiioyraphically by Friend Gerard T. Hopkins as interpreted 
by William Wells, and was published in Hopkins' little book A Mission to the Aborigines . . . at 
Fort Wayne in 1804. paces 79-83. 



392 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Raisin, by high winds and rough water. They arrived at Detroit April 
25th and, as soon as possible (May 2nd J sailed for the east end of Lake 
Erie on their homeward journey. The sequel of their efforts to aid the 
Miamis and Pottawotamis can be told in few words. Philip Dennis 
faithfully performed his duty. Only one, or at the most two, of the 
Aborigines could be induced to aid him, and then onl\- in meager effort 
for a rude fence. As long as the novelt\- of his work lasted, and they 
could share in his food, a few Miamis lingered around in the shade or 
branches of trees, but would not work. Dennis planted and cultivated 
a good field of corn (maize) and vegetables and, after gathering the 
large yield into a house he built for the purpose, he left it in charge of 
the chiefs to be handed out to the needy Aborigines during the winter, 
and he returned to his family in Maryland. This was the first serious 
effort to found an agricultural school in the West. 

During Christmas week, 1^07, Little Turtle and Richardville chiefs 
of the Miamis, The Beaver and The Crow of the Delawares, two 
Shawnee chiefs, and Marjiau and The Raven of the Pottawotamis, on 
returning from Washington visited thr I^'riends at Baltimore. They 
were here, as at Washington, treated with \er\ kind regard and at- 
tended the entertainiTients offered thi'm with tlie exception of the 
Pottawotamis who were fully influenced b\- the rising cloud of the War 
of 1812. Thev every day wore their war-iniint, and were defiant. 

From the time of their arrival in America in 1656 The Society of 
Friends manilested great interest in the welfare of the Aborigines. 
The Shawnees, later in this Basin, were associated with the Delawares 
in Friend William Penn's treaty, and iiurchase of their claims to land 
In l(i'^2; and alter the migration of these tribes west of the Allegheny 
Mountains early in the eighteenth century, the good offices of the 
Friends toUowed them — sadly interrujjted, however, many times by 
their savage acts. 

About the time of his Treaty at Greenville in 1795, General Wayne 
read an address to the Shawnees from the Yearly Meeting of Friends 
at Philadelphia, and delivered to them a few presents received there- 
with. He highly commended the Friends, often called Quakers, whom 
he knew and much loved and esteemed for their goodness of heart and 
their sincere love of peace with all nations. A dejjutation of Shawnees 
headed by Chief Black Hoof visited the President at Washington in 
1S02. They called on the Friends at Philadelphia on their way home, 
were well received and given useful presents. During these years the 
expenditures of the Friends in America for the feeding and bettering 
the condition of the Aborigines were so large as to appeal to the 
Friends in England who, in 1806, sent to America the sum of €11,770 
16s. l^d. to aid in this benevolent work. The work was suspended 



FRIENDS KEEP SHAWNEES LOYAL TO AMERICANS. 595 

during lln' War ol 1h12; hut what had Ixtii done was a strong factor 
in ki-cpinK tin- Sluiwmcs Iroin uoinj; to the liritish to aid thrni aj^ainst 
thf Annricans. 

At thi' close ol tlu' War ol I«I2 tin work ol tlu' I'riciids ncom- 
nunci-d amonn the Shawneus at Wapakoneta in more permanent 
form. A dam was there built across the Aufjlaise River, also a 
llouriuf; and sawing mill lor their instruction and benefit. These 
improvements slowly hd to less wandtrin^s in the hunt of wild >;ame 
and to more cultivation ol the soil, to the rearing of useful domestic 
animals and to better dwellini; places built from the lumber cut by the 
mill. rile h'riends who had mifjrated from the East to new homes in 
Ohio and Indiana, enjjaged liberally in this work of instruction, and 
the sujiplies for its organization and maintenance were hauled by them 
for many miles of poor road. The .Aborigines gave little, generally 
no, help to forward these enterjjrises : but the I'riends did the work 
willingl\', trusting that the examiile and the result ol their work would 
favorably influence many of them m tmu . I 'low irons were brought 
to Wapakoneta and there stalked by the l-riends read\- for use; and it 
was the Friends who were obliged to use them in the preparation of 
the ground and in the jilantingand cultivation of the crops. .\ woman 
Friend in England contributed a good sum of money to aid in thi- 
purchase of domestic animals and agricultural implements. .Notwith- 
standing the objection of the Shawnees to the schools of the white 
man, a school in manual training was organized by the Friends, it 
being the first school ol this kind in Ohio. 

In the autumn of 1H19 Friend Isaac Harvey of southern Ohio 
removed his family to Wajiakoneta to sui)erintend the mills. The 
Shawnees were then divided, one-si\th of the number dwelling by Hog 
Creek the present Ottawa River in Allen County. Much superstition 
existed among them, and soon after the removal of Harvey's famiTy it 
was stimulated to its highest pitch by Elskwatawa, Tecumseh's re- 
puted brother who was at this time dwelling at Wapakoneta. On 
visiting a sick Shawnee one day with some food, Harvey found Elsk- 
watawa present and cutting the skin of the Iwck of the sick man who 
was bleeding profusely from the cuts. l'i>on in<iuiring the cause of 
this cruelty Elskwatawa, who was acting tht' part of a sorcerer or 
medicine man, informed him that the cuts were made to let out the 
combustible or fiery matter that the witch Polly Butler* had ]iut there. 
Friend Harvey drove him away and dressed the wounds. That night 
he was startled bj- the hasty coming of Polly Butler and her child to 
his house asking protection from the Shawnees who were seeking to 



* Holly Butler was the reputed daughter of the late General Richard Butler by a Shawnee 

luotlier. 



394 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

put her to death as a witch. They were taken into the house b\' 
Harvey who at once strangled a small dog accompanying them that it 
might not betray their whereabouts. The next day Chief We-os-se-cah 
or Cai'tain Wolf came and told Harvey about the occurrences and the 
resulting e.xcitement, whereupon Harvey told him of the sinfulness of 
such proceedings. We-os-se-cah went away much disturlied in mind, 
but soon returned and, intimating that Harvey knew the whereabouts 
of the woman, was told that she was out of their reach: and if they did 
not abandon their pursuit of her with desire to put her to death, he 
would remove his family and abandon thi' mission entirely. We-os-se- 
cah desired Harvey to go with hmi ti> the Council House where 
twenty or more chiefs and head men jiainted and armed were in session. 
Harvey went to the United States Blacksmith, an important man with 
the Aborigines on account of his keeping their guns and knives in 
repair, and took him and his son along as interpreters. U])on their 
entering the Council House Chief We-os-se-cah commanded the 
Council 'to be still and hear' whereupon he repeated what had trans- 
pired between Harvey and iiimsell, which caused great commotion. 
Harvey then addressed them in a composed manner, interceding for 
the life of the woman who had been so unjustly sentenced to be put to 
death. But, seeing them determined to have blood, he felt resigned 
and offered himself to be put to death in her stead ; that he was wholly 
unarmed and at their mercy. We-os-se-cah stepped up, took Harvey 
by the arm, and declared himsell his friend, and called upon the chiefs 
to desist, but if they would not, he would offer his life for the Qua- 
kee-lee (Quaker) friend. The chiefs were astonished, but slowly, one 
bv one, they came forward, took Harvey l)y the hand and declared 
friendship. The blacksmith also was not behind in exhibiting his 
sentiments. Chief We-os-se-cah then told them that the woman had 
disappeared: that search had lieen made and she could not be found; 
that if their (Juaker Friend had sent her to the white people for pro- 
tection, and the chiefs did not jiardon and recall her, it would be a 
lasting disgrace to their nation: and if their friend the ( )uaker should 
for this reason break up the mission that had been begun and carried 
on wholly for their benefit, to whom, then, shall we look for help?' 
After a short discussion among themselves, the Council to a man 
(excepting Elskwatawa who at this moment slunk away) came forward 
and cheerfully offered their hands and friendship. They promised 
if the woman was restored to her people, that she should be protected; 
and thev called on the blacksmith to witness their vow — and he be- 
came surety for its fulfillment. It required considerable effort to 
assure the woman of her safety, but eventuallv she returned to her 
dwelling and was not afterwards molested. .\gent John Johnston 



THE FRIENDS CORRECT BELIEF IN WITCHCRAFT. 395 

altL-rward assured Isaac Harvey that his success in saving the life of 
I'olly Hutler and thus lireakinj; up the heathenish practice of putting; 
to death for supposed witchcraft, was suflicient reward for all the 
Friends' noble efforts and expenditures to improve the sad condition 
ot tht-se people-.* 

Isaac Harvey relurm d with his lamily in \>*'I7> to a place fivi- miles 
south of Wapakoneta and there resuim-d his school witii the Aliorinine 
children that had been discontinued partly in consequence of unsettled 
condition of their parents. The pupils were interested in their studies 
and made j^ood pro>jress. In 1830 Ilenr\ Harvey took charge of the 
school which had incrc-ased well in numbers, and he continued in charge 
until the removal of the Shawnees to Kansas ; and he followed them 
thither. 

To the Shawnees as to the other tribes, traders urtfed the ijurchase 
of their goods on credit hojiintr for pay from the annuity money or, 
failing' in this, in money that might be received from the sale of their 
lands to the United States preparatory to tht-ir removal west of the 
Mississippi as was then evident would soon occur. They were not 
long satisfied with the terms of the final treaty sale of their land and, 
like children and as was usual in other cases and tribes, desired modi- 
fications, particularly such as would insure more pay. They appealed 
to the Friends to help them : and a committee trom this Society 
accompanied the chiefs to \\'ashington in December, 1h;}1, to plead for 
sympathy from the United States Government. The old and valued 
French interpreter, Francis Duchouquet whose name is preserved in a 
Township in .Vuglaise County, died at Cumberland, Pennsylvania, 
while on tliis journey. From the efforts of the Friends, Congress 
reported a bill for $30,000 to be paid to the Shawnees in fifteen equal 
annual installments as additional to the treaty compensation for their 
Ohio lands. General Cass, Secretary of War, also ])aid the expenses 
of this journey to Washington, amounting to six hundred and forty 
dollars, and gave fifty dollars in money as a present to each of the four 
chiefs in the party. In the year 1853 the United States paid this tribe 
sixty-six thousand dollars additional, .\nother evidence of the favorable 
influence of the Friends upon the Shawnees was their-holdings of about 
twelve hundred cattle and twelve hundred hogs which were sold pre- 
vious to their removal to Kansas. With the proceeds of these sales 
they purchased clothing, wagons, guns, provisions, and other things 
not so useful. Not receiving all their pay when expected, they 
exhausted their supply of provisions and, again applying to the Friends, 
this Society appealed to the Secretary of War who si-nt to thim as a 



* See History of the Shawnee Aborigines From the Year 1681 to 1854 inclusive, by Henry 
Harvey, Cincinnati. 1855. pages 170 to ISO. 



c596 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

donation twenty beeves and larfii' quantities of flour and bacon by way 
of tfie Friends' Mission House. These devoted Friends worked con- 
stantlx without compensation, and oftin divided their hist food with 
the need\' whether wholly deservinji or not. Thex- taujiht as much as 
they could of relifiion, agriculture and other industrial arts : from the 
Bible, b\' i)ri(H'iits, and 1)\' ixamphs, and i)r(diabl\ the\ jiroduced as 
great and j^ood impression u])on the li\es ol the Aborigines as anv 
sect at that time. 

TiiK 1'rksiu'tk.rian Chikch Missions. 

i'resbyterians were the nixt ol these missionaries in i)riorit\ . I'he 
Synod of Virginia collected hinds for sending out agents to explore the 
country around Sanduskx-, tln' Maumee River, Brownstown, Michigan, 
and the River Raisin with tin- intention, if encouragements were given, 
to establish a mission school. The .'\l)origines who tlren dwelt in these 
regions were the Wyandots ])revailing about Sanduskj-, the Senecas, 
Mohawks, and Ottawas. The Ke\-erend Thomas E. Hughes made two 
missionary tours of these regions, one in the autumn of IHUO, and the 
other late in tht' \ear 1801. He was first accompanied by James Satter- 
field, a licentiate of the Presbytery oi Ohio, and in his second tour by 
Reverend Joseph Badger, a missionary from Connecticut I see ante page 
249) and by George Bluejacket, a son of the noted Shawnee chief Blue- 
jacket. Reverend Hughes attracted this young man to him in Detroit 
on his first visit, and was accompanied to his home in Virginia by him. 
In his interest in the work of the missionaries and in his conduct for a 
time, George Bluejacket encouraged his tutors in the thought that he 
would become a Christian ; but he is not mentioned afterward. In the 
year 1H02 Reverend David Bacon \isited Detroit, and on his departure 
from there his rei)ort reads, in i>art, as follows: 

I si-i out April 'itlth for the Miami [MaumeeJ in a canoe with Beaumont and a man 
I had hired, but l)y reason of unfavorable winds we did not arrive at the mouth of the 
river until the 4th of May. We were verv much fatigued with the hard rowing, and 
were several times in danger by violence of the waves. I was obliged to go without the 
public interpreter as he could not be spared ; but when I came to the Miami [Maumee] 
I found an excellent interpreter in whom the Aborigines placed the utmost confidence, 
and svho served me faithfully for a much less sum than what either of the others would 
have asked. His name is William Dragoo. When I arrived at the mouth of the river 
most of the [Aborigine] chiefs were drunk at the trader's above. After remaining there 
two days, and finding it uncertain when they would be down, we went up and stored my 
provisions and farming tools at [the site of the former] Fort Miami eighteen miles above. 
Hearing there that most of them had gone down, we returned the next day to the mouth 
[of the Maumee], The day after I found that Little Otter the head chief and one other 
were all that remained in the main village where we were, and That the rest all lay drunk 
at the neighboring village. In the afternoon I spent several hours with these two explain- 
ing to them the origin and designs of the Missionary Society, and the benefits temporal 
and spiritu.tl that they might expect to receive from having me among them. They ap- 



PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONARIES ALONG THE MAUMEE. 397 

pearecl to pay t,'<i(>il alli'iuion, ami whi'ii 1 had coiii liidid I.lltli' < )tler ol)servefi in reply that 
the (Ireat Spirit hail hi^en listL-tiinK. and that they and ihcir young men had been listening; 
to all I had said ; that he believed it was true ; that the air appeared clear and no clouds 
in the way. and that he woidd assemble his chiefs and hear me again as soon as possible, 
but till then he cotdd give me no further answer. This was Saturday the .Sth [May. 1H()2|. 
Through the Sabbath following we enjoyed peace and (|uietness among them. Hitherto 
the most of them had remained sober. Hut the lollowing night we were disturbed by the 
rattles and drums of a number of individuals who spent the night in conjuring over a 
poor sick child in order to save its life ; but it died within a day or two after. 

Next day we started for the trading post. .\s we had a strong head wind it was 
with difTiculty that we got five mlU:s uji the river that afternoon. We encamped about a 
quarter of a mile above their [the .'Miorigines] dancing ground. My interpreter advised 
me to go with him to see them that evening ; and I had a desire to be present as I sup- 
posed I might acijuire some information that might be useful. But I thought it would 
not be prudent to be among them that night as I knew some of them were into.\icated and 
that such would be apt to be jealous of me at that time, and that nothing would be too 
absurd for their imaginations to conceive, or too cruel for their hands to perform. But 
as a son of the head chief was sent early next morning to invite me down, I went to see 
them. I had the greater desire to go as this is their annual conjuration dance which is 
celebrated every spring on their return from hunting, and at no other time in the year. . . 

Mr. Anderson a respectable trader at Fort Miami told me that they had been grow- 
ing worse every year since he had been acquainted with them, which is six or seven 
years ; and that they have gone much greater lengths this year then he has ever known 
them before. He assured me that it was a fact that they had lain drunk this spring as 
much as ten or fifteen days at several different traders above him, and that some of them 
had gone fifteen days without tasting a mouthful of victuals while they were in that con- 
dition. Mr. Anderson disapproved of the practice [of drinking to intoxication] and by 
not complying with it has lost the trade and has turned his attention to his farm. He 
treated me very kindly and seemed friendly to my designs, and very desirous to have me 
come out there. 

Reverend Joseph Badfjer was along the lower Maumee again- in 
1805, and the 25th June addressed the Wyandots on temperance when 
they were gathered at Fort Industry near the mouth of Swan Creek with 
Charles Jouett American Commissioner, and the Commissioners of the 
Connecticut Fire Land Com])any,]'ust previous to the treaty there regard- 
ing these Fire Lands. Mr. Badger was appointed by the Board of Trust 
in February, 1806, to labor as a stationed missionary at Sandusky 
and he took up this work the first of April following. .'\t first his work 
was attended with some apparent success. In the earl\ part ol l^OM, 
however, he opposed tin further selling of whiskey to thi- .Mioiigi- 
nes by a Scotchman named Patterson. This offended thi- liquor dialer 
who complained to Governor William Hull. Mr. Badger was sum- 
moned to Detroit where he well defended the justness of his efforts to 
the Governor, and he was permitted to return to Sandusky. Pat- 
terson thereupon rallied the .Aborigines who petitioned Governor Hull 
for Mr. Badger's removal, and he was suspended pending an investi- 
gation by the Missionary Board of Trust. Reverends Marcjuis, Ander- 
son, and Macurdy were sent west on this duty and, upon investigation. 



398 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

they acquitted Mr. Badger of all blame ; and Patterson promised to 
give them no further trouble. It was thought, however, that the in- 
terest of the mission would best be conserved by Badger taking an- 
other field ; and Reverend Elisha Macurdy was chosen to take charge 
of the Sandusky station. We get a description of the character of 
these Aborigines, who often roamed along the Maumee and who were 
very like all the others of that date, and with the trials and discourage- 
ments attending the efforts of the missionaries among them, from the 
few pages that have been preserved of the journal kept bv Reverend 
Macurdv after he took charge of this mission, viz: 

Tuesday. September KJth [1808]. Messrs. Marquis and Anderson started this 
morning for home, and I am to remain at Sandusl<y until the first of November to 
struggle with the difficulties of the mission. If I do any good, it must be of God for no 
man living is sufficient for these things. Little else is to be seen here but naked human 
depravity, influenced by all the auxilliaries Satan can apply. Here Satan has his seat, 
and this is the time of his peculiar sway. They (the Aborigines) have been collecting 
for ten days past from different places and tribes, and this is to be the week of their 
Great Council. Hundreds more are yet expected. The plains are now swarming with 
them, and they appear to be full of devilish festivity, although they can scarcely collect 
as much of any kind of vegetables as will allay the imperious demands of nature. They 
are here almost every hour begging for bread, milk, meat, melons, or cucumbers ; and, 
if they can get no better, they will eat a ripe cucumber with as little ceremony as a 
hungry swine. And, notwithstanding this state of outward wretchedness and these 
mortifying circumstances, they are swollen with pride and will strut about and talk with 
an air as supercilious as the great mogul. Their ceremonies, also, are conducted with as 
much pomposity as if they were individually Napoleons or Alexanders. 

Their houses, when they have any, are wretched huts, almost as dirty as they can 
be, and swarming with fleas and lice. Their furniture, a few barks, a tin or brass kettle, 
a gun, pipe, knife and tomahawk. Their stock are principally dogs. Of these they have 
large numbers, but they are mere skeletons, the very picture of distress. These unhappy 
people appear to have learned all the vices of a number of miserable white men who 
have fled to these forests to escape the vengeance of the law, or to acquire property in a 
way almost infinitely worse than that of highwaymen. They are so inured to white men 
of this description that it is next to impossible to make them believe you design to do 
them good, or that your object is not eventually to cheat them. It is vain to reason with 
them. Their minds are too dark to perceive its force, or their suspicions bar them 
against any favorable conclusions. Such is their ingratitude, that whilst you load them 
with favors they will reproach you to your face, and construe your benevolent intentions 
and actions into intentional fraud or real injury. They will lie in the most deliberate 
manner and to answer any selfish purpose. They will not bear contradiction but will 
take the liberty to contradict others in the most impudent and illiberal manner. 

This picture comes far short of the miserable condition of these wretched people. 
In the midst of these people must -the Missionary live. The dangers, difficulties, and 
trials connected with them, must be the companions of his life. Surrounded with them 
he lies down to sleep, and through them he walks all the day, without a friend to give 
him counsel to help him to bear his load, or hear him tell the sorrows of his heart, 
except one — that is lesus, who says, Lo [ am with you always, even unto the end of 
the world. . . What patience, wisdom, fortitude, benevolence, and self-denial, must 
enter into the composition of the man that is qualified to fill this important station ! 



PRESBYTERIAN MISSION STATION BY LOWER MAUMEE. 399 



No honor or emohimtnl that this worki can confer can compensate hiin for the sacrifices 
he must make, and the trials he must endure.* 

It is htTi' sicii that tin- sava^L- hahils dI llu .Vlxjriuini-S liad bcLii 
hut little chann'i-cl lor tin luttir 1)\ their marly two liundrL-d years asso- 
ciation with the ['"rLiich and J^ritish. Tlicsf Prt-sbyttrian tfforts to 
educatf and tvanmlizf them in this region were soon discontinued. 

The Presbyterian Society's record regarding a Mission to the 
Aborigines by the Lower Maumee Rivir is summarized as follows: 
Commenced in \X'1'1 hy the Presbyterian Synod of Pittsburg. Trans- 
ferred to the United l'"iHeii;ii Missionary Society October 2ii, lH2fi. 




I.^uJviiiK uoitheasl down ihe main channel of the Maumee Kivei loth .\piil. liJl'l. fium .\borinine 
tji' Wliitney Island. The tall trees beyond the houses of Vollmar Park, mark the mouth of Tonlonany 
Creek. Wood County. Ohio. In the middle distance beyond, by the road, is seen the house of the 
Presbyterian Mission to the Aboripines, built in 1833 for the residence of the Missionary Family, with 
school rooms adjoining:. This house has underk'one two or more reductions and alterations and yet 
remains a yood size farm house. The property is now owned by a resident of Toiuoyany Village situate 
a few miles to the riuht. Mission or ' Station ' Island is seen to the left of the boat. See Chapter on the 
Maumee River. 

Consolidated with the .\merican Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
Missions in June, lb26. The report of this mission published by the 
United States in 1824, gives the number of members of the mission 
family as twenty-one and does not mention pupils. It received three 
hundred dollars semiannually from the Congressional fund for the 
civilization of the Aborigines. The report for 1824 gives twenty-one 
teachers and ten pupils. Probably the adult members of the entire 
household \vere counted as teachers, which they were in a wholesome 
sense if only by example. Some taught domestic science and art, others 



'Life 0/ the Reverend Elisha Macurdy. by David Klliott. .\lleiiheny. 1K48. pace liti el seguenlia. 



400 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

taught agriculture with the planting and grafting of fruit trees, the 
planting of mulberry trees and the care of silkworms, and others taught 
the common school, and all were teachers of the Christian religion, at 
least in a general way. November '10, 1826, this school was reported as 
previously without increase of pupils. The onlv ordained missionary 
for this station was Reverend Isaac Van Tassel. .Assistant Missionar}' 
Reverend Leander Sackett came in lH22and departed in 1827. Hannah 
Riggs from Franklin, Pennsylvania, arrived in November, 1827, and 
departed in .\ugust, 1h;];-J. Sidney E. Brewster farmer from Geauga 
Counts', Ohio, came in April, 1831, and married in June, IHSI, Miss 
Sarah Withrow who came to the station in 182H. They remained until 
June, 1838. William Culver came in 1S38 and remained until the 
next year. The Mission Church was organized in 1823 with twenty- 
four persons nine of whom were Aborigines, and all were pledged 
to abstain from the use of spirituous liquors. The (ilan of conducting 
this Mission was like that of the others, to make it selfsustaining as 
soon as possible, and to benefit the Aborigines as much as possilile ; 
to take all the young Aborigines thev could get ; board, clothe, 
and educate them with lessons from liooks and in farming while 
getting as much manual labor from them as practicable. These 
efforts were neither popular nor very successful. The Mission closed 
in 1834 with the removal of these Aborigines west of the Missis- 
sippi, having thirty-two pupils in attendance sixteen of whom were 
recorded as of mixed blood, and fourteen as full blooded Aborigines. 
The records show the whole number that had lieen under instruction as 
ninety-two, mostly for brief periods of time.* 

Methodist Episcopal Chi'rch Missions. 

The first preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church to hold 
religious service in Ohio was Reverend George Callanhan at Carpen- 
ter's Station or Fort, b\' the Ohio River near the present Warrenton, 
in September, 1787. t Reverend William M'Lenahan also ranged 
among the settlements along the upper Ohio River in the year 1791. 
A great revival of religion occurred through the west in 1799 and 1800; 
and the first Methodist Conference west of the .\llegheny Mountains 
was organized in 1H02 with the name Western Conference. The Ohio 
Conference was organized at Chillicothe in 1812: and some of its 



* After the close of this mission school, Rev. Isaac Van Tassel and wife remained in the buildings 
and conducted a boarding and day school for the children of the American settlers for about five years. 
See Article entitled The Presbyterian Mission to the Aborigines at the Lower Maumee River, by Mrs. 
Louise Atkinson one of the two yet living white pupils of this school, edited by Charles E. Slocum in the 
publication of The Maumee Valley Pioneer Association, Detiance. Ohio. 1901, pages 113 to 120. 

t .Authority of Samuel W. Williams, quoted in the History of Ohio Methodism by John M. Barker, 
Pli. D., Cincinnati, 1898, page 82. 



METHODIST MfSSfON AMONG THE WYANDOTS. 401 

nunihers occasionally i)assfcl through this Basin. A Methodist Mis- 
sion was started at Detroit in iHOil. Tlu' first jiersistent mission work 
by memiiers of this Church, amonn the Aborigines of the West, how- 
ever, was begun at Upi)er Sandusky among the Wyandots there and of 
the headwaters of the Blanchard River in the summer of 1816, by a 
reformed mulatto inebriate with name of John Stewart.* This man 
was then about twenty-one years of age, and his excellent singing 
quickly made him friends. With Jonathan Pointer another negro who 
was living with the Aborigines and understood something of the 
Wyandot language, as interpreter, and encouraged by William Walker 
subagent and interpreter, they at once awakened a religious interest, 
and a Methodist Class was formed in the autumn. Reverend Anthony 
Banning of Mount Vernon, Ohio, went to the aid of these missionaries 
in the spring of 1819, and August 7th this mission was taken into the 
regular work of the Ohio .\nnual Conference of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Cluuch at the meeting luld in Cincinnati. Reverend James Mont- 
gomery was then appointed as missionary to the Wyandots in conjunc- 
tion with Stewart. Soon after his appointment to this mission Rev- 
erend Montgomery was chosen by .Vborigine Agent Colonel John 
Johnston of Piqua as Subagent at F"ort Seneca. He was released by 
his Church for this appointment, and Moses Henkle, senior, was sent 
to Upper Sandusky to take his place : and he was reappointed by the 
Conference of 1820. 

This was the first mission to th( Aborigines distinctively, estab- 
lished by the Methodist Church, and it, like all others, met with many 
trials and discouragements. But a good degree of success was accom- 
plished from the first among the older people who could be kept under 
constant surveillance. At the meeting of the Ohio Conference in 1821 
in Lebanon Reverend James B. Finley was appointed missionary to 
these Wyandots and Miss Harriet Stubbs was employed as teacher. 
Missionary Finley with his assistant George Riley built a cabin twenty 
by twenty-three feet in size into which he moved his family when it 
was yet without door or window. They also made a stable for their 
live stock from one of the blockhouses of Fort Feree built in 1812 and, 
in addition to their missionary work cut, hauled and hewed logs with 
which to build during the next summer a Mission House with ground 
plan twenty by forty-eight feet, a story and a half high, with two rooms 
on each floor and large porches. '^ 

Missionary Finley being ill. Reverend Charles Elliott was ap- 



* See Stevens' History of the Methodist Episcopal Church: and Life Among the Aborigines 
by Rev. J ames B. Finley. page 233 et sequentia. 

t See Life Among the Aborigines by Reverend James B. Finley, page 2K4 and onward, for many 
particulars of his work, and of the Wyandots including their winter huntings and sugar-making. 



402 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

pointed missionary at the meeting of the Conference in 1822 and, the 
number of pupils increasing, William Walker and Lydia Barstow were 
added to the list of teachers. Durini; the year 1823 the expenditures 
attending this mission were two thousand two hundred fifty-four dollars 
and fifty-four cents. This included improvements on the farm, the 
salaries of missionaries and teachers, also the feeding and clothing of 
between "fiftv and sixty of the Aborigine children who lived with the 
mission familx'. The Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and the Philadel]ihia Missionar\- Society contributed most of 
the money to meet this expense, and added individual subscriptions 
with minor society collections left a deficit of only ninetv-three dollars 
and sixty-eight cents. The following year the Secretar\ of War made 
quarterly payments of one hundred and twenty-five dollars toward the 
support of this Wyandot mission from the Congressional appropriation 
of ten thousand dollars for civilizing the Aborigines. In Sejitember, 
1823, Reverend James B. Finley was reappointed superintendent of 
this mission, with Reverend Jacob Hooper superintendent of the farm, 
and his wife as special teacher of the girls. John Stewart, who had 
been connected with the mission part of the time from its beginning 
with good results, died December 17, 1823, from pulmonary tubercu- 
losis. 

The Ohio Conference instructed Reverend Finley to establish 
missions among the more northern Aborigines and, December 24th, 
accompanied liy Monocue and Gray Eyes, converted Wyandots of 
Upper Sandusky, and negro Jonathan Pointer as interpreter, he organ- 
ized the first Methodist Aborigine Mission in Canada near the left bank 
of the Detroit River above Amherstburg. 

The Methodist Mission at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, was credited 
this year, 1824, with twelve teachers and sixty-five pupils. A Meeting 
(Church) House thirty b\- fort\- feet in size was built this year for this 
mission on the left bank of the Sandusky River, of limestone quarried 
in the channel. John C. Calhoun Secretary of War contributed eleven 
hundred and thirty-three dollars, from the Congressional appropriation, 
toward its completion. This was an important addition to the Mission 
Buildings which before consisted of a small schoolhouse, a small 
parsonage and the four-room Mission House which was much crowded 
in the accommodation of teachers and pupils. This mission accjuired 
one section of land (one mile square reserved for this purpose in the 
Treatv of 11->17, see ante page 376) of which nearly two hundred acres 
were gradually cleared and cultivated after the style of frontiersmen, 
the missionary or his assistant leading and instructing in the work. 
Thus the mission became as near self-sustaining as possible. Novem- 
ber 2(^, 182(i, the report shows this to be the most prosi)erous of the 



EXTENSION OF METHODIST MISSION WORK. 405 

forty estalilishid missions, it l)tinK crtditccl witli two teachers and 
sixty-nine younn i>ui)ils, and ^jood results amonn the adults. Its 
recei]5ts from the Government fund were now ei^ht hundred dollars. 
Manv of the largest girls, in addition to nadinj;, wiitiiiK and other com- 
mon studies and household work, had learned to sew, knit, sjiin and 
weave —over two hundred yards of linen, linsey and flannel having 
been made at the Mission House tor their clothing ; and thel)o\s helped 
on the farm in producing tlu' flax, corn, wheat and vegetables, and in 
feeding and caring for the horses, cattle, hogs, sheep and poultr\ . 

Reverend 'I'hoinas 'rh()ni|>son was aiii"iinted missionary to these 
Wyandots by the Methodist Conference in IM^H, and he served this 
station well for six years. Reverend Elnathan Corrington Gavitt was 
appointed his assistant in iHli^. It was the policy of the Methodist 
Church, then as now, to visit all settlements and jireach to all classes. 
The territory of these two active workers included northwestern Ohio, 
eastern Michigan and part of the present Ontario, Canada, in each of 
which northern regions Reverend Finlex- had established a mission to 
the .\borigines. The station bv the Huron River < Flat Rock) 
Michigan, and at the Aux Cannard, Canada, was each visited every 
four weeks by one or the other of the missionaries who remained nearly 
two weeks in each place while the other remained at Upper Sandusky 
thus keei)ing this station under constant observation.! There were 
as yet few trails through the wilderness, and often to shorten the 
distance between ap])ointments they would take as direct a course as 
possible, being guided liy the sun and the moss on the trees which was 
generally thickest on the north side ; and sometimes the route w-as 
marked for the return by bending the top of an occasional shrub or 
small tree to the right after cutting into it on the left. But, with all 
precautions from loss of course or distance, it was sometimes necessary 
to stop in the forest during the darkest hours of the night. In this 
event the time would sometimes be passed, in warm weather, up a tree 
to be free from attack of the wolves that were howling around ; and 
lashing oneself to the tree was necessarv to jirevent falling to the ground 
in the sleep that would come after the fatigues of the journey. In cold 
weather a large fire or two would be maintained. The crossing of the 
larger streams often gave trouble. Several of the Wyandots at the 
Upper Sandusky Mission showed good evidence of conversion and, 
after their probationary period, were ordained as local ministers. On 
one of Reverend Gavitt's journeys to the northern stations he was 



* See the American Stale Papers. Aboiicine Affairs volume ii. History of the Wyandot Mission. 
Autobiography of Reverend James B. Finley. Report of Judge John L. Leib to the Secretary of War, 
1826. And Life Among the Aborigines, by Reverend James B. Finley. 

t Crumbs from my Saddle Bags, by Elnathan C. Gavitt, Toledo, 1884. pane I.tO. 



404 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

accompanied by three of these ministers and four other Wyandots. 
While leading the way across the lower Maumee the Aborigine Rev- 
erend James Harrihoot was thrown from his pony, which became 
frightened by some foam on the current. He was a good swimmer but, 
becoming entangled with his long fringed frock coat, he would have 
drowned had not help been given him by fishermen who were near-by 
in a canoe. Before the establishment of public ferries an Aborigine or 
settler could occasionally be found and induced by a dollar to ferry 
across stream the 'circuit rider' who would lead his horse from the 
canoe. This was the quickest and most comfortable mode of crossing 
unless the horse attempted to get into the canoe mid-stream, in which 
event the occupants would be unceremoniously thrown into the rapid 
current, thoroughly wetting books and clothing and endangering their 
lives.* The later method adopted in warm weather was to undress, tie 
the clothing and saddlebags high on the pommel of the saddle, start the 
horse across and the rider float after clinging to his tail. Two or three 
streams were sometimes thus crossed in one day. 

Appointments were conscientiously met when possible by these 
devoted ministers. Their lot was a hard one at best, and occasionally 
they suffered exceedingly. Some of the severest nights of winter they 
could get even a bed of straw only by climbing a ladder on the outside 
of the log house into the garret and there in their own clothes, and 
under scant bed covering, they would be drifted under b\- snow that 
came freely through crevices in the roof. And the pecuniary compen- 
sation was very small — seventy-five dollars a year to an unmarried man, 
and one hundred and seventy-five dollars a year to a man of experience 
having a wife and child ; and generally most of these meager dues to 
the ministers were received in part by ex])ressions of good or indifferent 
will b\ members of the congregation, jiart in products of the small 
clearing or from the cow or sheep such as cheese, linen or wool cloth 
or wool to make mittens, stockings and cloth : or in gatherings from the 
forest of reputed medicinal plants, roots and bulbs, such as Bloodroot 
( Sanguinaria Canadensis L.j Crane's-bill (Geranium macuiatum LJ Crow- 
foot ( Pulsatilla hirsutissima Pursh,Bntton I '^ Slippery-elm bark t Ulmus 
fulva Michx.j Prickly-ash buds (Xanthoxylum Americanum M'M) Red- 
root I Ceanothus Americanus L.i Star-root fStar-grass root, Aletris 
farinosa L.) Yellow-root ( Hydrastis Canadensis!^.) and Black-salts made 
by leaching the ashes from the burned logheaps of the land clearings 
and evaporating the water of the lye thus obtained. All of. these (ex- 



* Reverend Hlnathan C. Gavitt was subjected to such accident and dancer while thus crossing the 
Huron River, Michiean. See his Crumbs from my Saddle Bags, pace 2. 

t Most of the plants of the Crowfoot {Ranunculaceae) Family are poisonous, but six or more species 
have been used inedicinatly. the yellow-root mentioned above beinc of the number. 



THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MISSIONS TO ABORIGINES. 405 

ccpliiiu tin- fiood or ill will I could ticncr;ill\ Ix- sold to advantajie in the 
citiis, the herbs and roots to the dru(;nisls, and the salts to the chemist 
for their sejiaration and the manufacture of sodium carbonates including 
saleratus and potassium carbonates or i)earlash. Sometimes the pay 
WDuUl lie partlv received in skins oi the mink (Kenerally worth five 
dollars each ) or of otter and beaver skins Ironi which to make the pre- 
scribed Ouaker and Methodist broad-brimmed hats which jjenerally cost 
from eiyht to ten dollars each; and deer skins from which trousers and 
other clothing' were made. This kind of clothing was very serviceable 
in cold, dr\- weather, but it was h\nroscopic and stretched unduly when 
wet, and it shrunk lamentablx in tlu- drying'. 

This Methodist Kpiscopal Mission to the Wyandots at Upper San- 
dusk\ , including those at Hi)i Spring a source of the Hlanchard River 
and others scattered elsewhere in this Basin, records the most successful 
work tor the civilization of American Aborigines in the earlier historv of 
these iieculiar peojde. Hefore their rtmoval in lH4i] to a new reservation 
west of the Mississippi Ki\ir, there were about three luuuired members 
of the Church, four of whom were licenso'd exhorters actively at work 
and doin^ much jiood. Sixty-five children were in regular attendance 
at school and making; commendable jjro^ress. Before th<.- advent of the 
missionaries the use of intoxicatinfi beverages was K<-'"*^'riil 'i"d drunken- 
ness was common in sjiite of the efforts of the United States Govern- 
ment lor its su]>i)ressi()n. Here, as throusihout all history, the vender 
of intoxicating beverages was the greatest enemy of mankind. The 
moral courage of the untutored Aborigines was little above that of a 
child to resist this evil. The work done by the missionaries was that 
of heroic, unselfish ])eople. Their success dejjended upon their con- 
stant watchfulness of their flock to ward off temjitation from within and 
without. This was a difficult task. Notwithstanding the able efforts 
of the missionaries, man\' of the Aborigines remained constant to the 
heathen customs of their fathers, and subject to the intoxicating bever- 
ages slyl\- presented bv insinuating traders; and this class was con- 
stantly seeking to tempt, and to taunt, those whose second, better judg- 
ment inclined them to the missionaries' teachings of sobriety and mor- 
ality. Many cases of \iolence by white men have also been reported 
as inflicted upon these Aborigines who were striving to live upright, 
commendable lives, even to murder. Tw'O of the most devout would-be 
Christians among the Wyandots — Summun Dewat and his wife — were 
murdered and robbed ip Hancock Countv, Ohio, about the time for the 
tribes' removal to the west by three white men who asked, and were 
hospitably accorded, shelter for the night in their lodge. The murder- 
ers were arrested, but escaped from jail and from justice.* 



* Crumbs from my Saddle Bags by Elnatlian C. Gaviic, Toledo 1S»4. paee IJ" 



406 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Baptist Church Missions. 

The Board of Managers of the Baptist Missionary Convention for 
the United States appointed Reverend Isaac M'Coy as missionary to 
the Aborigines of the western part of this Basin October 17, 1817, for 
one year.* There were many obstacles causing delay in the beginning 
of his work. November 24th he applied to General Thomas Posey 
United States Agent to the Miamis, Weas and Kickapoos, for infor- 
mation regarding these people; but General Posey sickened, and died 
in March, 1818, without being of assistance to him. Some little 
encouragement received from two half-breed Aborigine boys was dissi- 
pated by their French fathers who were nominally Roman Catholics. 
Missionary M'Coy continued to preach to the white settlers on the 
frontier and to do what he could for the Aborigines until October 27, 
1818, when he wrote "we set out for the mission premises [specific 
site not mentioned but probably by the Wabash River not far from the 
site of Fort Irlarrison] a distance from our former residence of ninety 
miles. Mv commission from the Board had ere this expired. With 
my wife and seven small children I went into the wilderness to seek an 
opportunity of preaching Christ to the Aborigines without a promise 
of patronage from any one, looking to Heaven for help' and trusting 
that God would dispose the hearts of some, we knew not whom, to 
give mv family bread while I should give myself wholly to the service 
of the heathen." . 

A school was opened November 2nd, IHIH, with one or two Abo- 
rigine children with Corbly Martin as teacher, but the effort was 
unsuccessful. The children could not be held, nor the parents inter- 
ested longer than to learn that there would be no receipt by them of 
intoxicating beverages and other temporal supplies. Communication 
was held between the missionary and his desired patrons by means of 
French interpreters of Roman Catholic instruction, some of whom did 
not understand the English language thus making it necessary to have 
a second one who did understand it but did not understand the Abo- 
rigine. The school here soon closed and December 1st Missionary 
M'Coy left his family and, with Martin, started for the Delaware and 
Shawnee lodges in eastern Indiana and western Ohio, hoping to find 
more favorable opportunity. This journey through the forest was 
attended with loss of way, great sufferings from cold, snow and ice, 
while often sleeping on the frozen ground, and want of food, particu- 
larly for the horses. They called at the United States Agency at 
Piqua and had conference with John Johnston Agent whose advice 
apparently gave missionary M'Coy the most practical ideas regarding 



' History of Baptist Missions Among tlie Aborigines by Isaac M'Coy. Washington, 1840. 



BAPTIST MISSION TO ABORIGINES AT FORT WAYNE. 407 

his work he had i)iitaiind : ami this was thr onl\- prartiral nsult of 
the journt-v. Much ol the linn diirinji the next sixteen months, how- 
ever, was iiassed in his journe\ in^s to Vincennes, to the Aborij^ine 
lodges where little was accomi>lished, and to Fort Wavne, to which 
place he decided to rimove by advice ol Doctor William Turner Abo- 
rigine A^jent then. 

On May ii, iKiio, removal ol this baptist Mission to Fort Wayne 
w-as beuiin. Then a bateau, loaded with household furnishings, food 
supi:)lies, and five Al)ori}:;ine children of the school, was started from 
the site of Fort Harrison and poled up the Wabash by four Americans 
who had lu<n enjianed for the purpose. May 4th Missionary M'Coy 
with wife and children started along the river bank on horseback, 
accompanied by the hired man Johnston L\ kins and an Aborigine 
boy the sixth pupil of the school who drove the fifteen cattle and forty- 
three swine belonging to the mission. Aborigines swarmed around 
this procession with offers of help until convinced that no intoxicants 
or exhorbitant pay would be given tin in, wlun they departed. Those 
given a fee for messenger service wire not seen again. The journey 
was attended with great anxiety and danger from rains and from intox- 
icated Aliorigines at the Mississinewa and other towns, who frequently 
killed one of their own number. They arrived at Fort Wayne, how- 
ever, without serious accident and were permitted to use the Fort 
buildings abandoned by the soldiers in 1819 and about two acres of 
plowed land for cultivation adjoining, free of charge. 

Fort Wayne was described at this time by Missionary M'Coy as 
a little village of traders, and of j^ersons in the employ of the Gov- 
ernment as interpreters, smiths, etc., some of whom were French of 
Canadian and of Aborigine descent. The nearest settlements of white 
people were in the State of Ohio, and nearly one hundred miles dis- 
tant. By our neighbors we w-ere treated with great kindness and 
respect, which created affectionate recollections which years of separa- 
tion have not obliterated. 1 preached to them in my own house every 
Sabbath." . . At the opening of this Baptist Mission School in Fort 
Wayne Village May "29, 1820, Missionary M'Coy served as teacher to 
twenty-five pupils, ten being English speaking Americans, six French, 
eight Aborigines ( two in addition to those brought with his family 
from the Wabash ) and one negro. Soon after the opening of this 
school the record reads "we had so much business on hand that every- 
thing could not be well attended to. A teacher for the school [from 

Ohio, name written as Mr. P r, who arrived June 11th] promised 

some relief. We hired an Aborigine woman to assist in domestic 
labors, but she afforded little help. Besides the care of eight Abo- 
rigine children, and six of our own, the whole charge of the family 



408 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

consisting of about twenty persons, devolved on Mrs. M'Coy. She 
also endeavored to instruct neighboring Aborigine females in the art of 
knitting and other domestic labors. We had to work hard with our 
own hands. The Aborigine children were clothed, fed and lodged at 
the expense of the Mission ; they fed at the same table with my own 
family. This course was necessary in order to silence the jealousies 
of the Aborigines generally, and this course we ever after pursued." 

The wife of Doctor William Turner Agent to the Aliorigines, and 
her sister Mrs. Hackley (both ot half Miami blood) were converted by 
Missionary M'Coy's preaching and were baptised 'Mrs. H. June iHth 
and Mrs. T. Julv H, 1820) bv immersion in the Maumee River, the brink 
of which is mentioned as being then about sixty \ards from the gate 
of the Fort. The necessaries of life were then verv expensive in 
the Village ot Fort Wa\ne. Flour and meal were obtainable only 
bv bringing them about one hundred miles. The jirice of corn 
(maize ) varied from one dollar and a half to two dollars per liushel. 
Support from the Baptist Convention was slow and insufficient, and 
discontinuance of this Mission must have resulted but for jirivate con- 
tributions direct from Ohio and Kentucky. Horatio G. Phillips of 
Dayton was i)articularly considerate and liberal in the darkest hour. 
While journeying on these collecting tours meetings were held at 
Shane's Crossing of the River St. Marv. Here Mrs. Shane a Delaware 
.Aborigine was converted, her husband Captain Anthony Shane, a half 
Shawnee, serving as her interpreter. 

The journal record of the first anniversary of the Mission at Fort 
Wayne May 29, 1H21, shows forty-two pupils in the school — Miamis, 
Pottawotamis, Shawnees 'and Aborigines from New York.' Thev were 
managed without difficulty. Five persons had lieen engaged, one at a 
time from time to time, to aid in the teaching and conduct of the 
Mission, but they remained only a short time. This made it necessarv 
for Reverend M'Coy to often take the place of teacher, also to lead in 
the cultivation of the ground when his services were needed elsewhere. 
Much traveling through the wilderness was necessary to visit larger 
towns for donations and supplies, and the unavoidable exposures in 
these travels conduced to much sickness and disability. There was 
also more affliction from sickness at the Mission during the second year, 
with deaths. As many as forty members of the Mission household were 
sick at one time with intermittent and remittent types of malarial fever 
and gastric disorders. 

While the Aborigines did not generally antagonize the Mission 
directly, the general alcoholic intoxication and large number of murders 
among them, particularly those in the vicinity of the school at the times 
of the annuity payments, kept uj) an excitement of lilood and evil that 



BAPTIST MISSION TO POTTAWOTAMIS IN 1822. 409 

grcatlv dctracu il tioiii iIk- (|uiit, Christian influL-ncc in wliicli it was 
cicsirid to prcsirvc- thf ))ui>ils. Tlu- licsottcd and sijualid condition of 
tliL'su most vvretclu'd i)toi)lc, and the cause of it, arc frf(|Uintfy mt-n- 
tioned, antl iKsciil)rd by Missionary M'Coy.* In the yuar 1^21 this 
Mission was saved from cfosing l\v ri'Ceii>t from the United States 
Government of four hundred and fifty dollars from the ten thousand 
dollar annual tund apjjropriated by Congress for Civilizing the Al)or- 
igines : Colonel William A. Trimble United States Senator from Ohio 
visited the Mission August 9, 1H21, while on his wav to Chicago for 
treating with the Aborigines, and his favorable report had vet more to 
do for the Mission's success. 

On account of reipiest of Pottawotamis, their donating a Section of 
land with the consent and further aid of the United States Government, 
Missionary M'Coy decided to remove the Mission to Michigan about 
one mile bevond the Rivir St. Joseph of Lake Michigan, and nearly 
one hundred milis northwest of Fort W'axiie. This new station was 
named Carey in honor of the noted Baptist Missionary to China. 
Preparations for this removal were made during the \ ear 1H22, includ- 
ing the building of six houses of logs and, December ilth, tin- remaining 
part of the Mission familv and belongings started from Fort Wayne, 
viz : Three wagons draw n by oxen and one by horses in which rode 
Mrs. M'Coy and her five remaining children with eighteen Pottawotami 
pupils. The Miami pupils constituting the larger number of the school 
were not permitted by their parents to go. Missionarv M'Coy and 
Assistant Daniel Dusenbury rode on horseback, and six laborers for 
the farm drove the oxen, horses, five cows, and fifty hogs. Other live 
stock had been driven previously, and a large drove of sheep and cattle 
donated by friends in Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, followed later. 
This removal through the snow and ice was attended and followed with 
great suffering and sickness, also with the loss of some food supplies 
in the flooded river. Most of the food for the livestock was gathered 
b\- them from the shrubs and snow-covered ground during the nights. + 

The good resulting from these missions has not been, nor can it be, 
computed by man. Evidences of it have not been numerous, nor par- 
ticularly apparent to the casual observer in later years; but the phil- 
anthrofiic motive of their establishing and the conscientious charity 
attending their conduct, were but small efforts (on the part of Christian 
people generally) to compensate the besotted and wretched Aborigines 



* History of Baptist Missions to ihe I North .-iinericanl Aboritines. Washint'ton, I WO. 

t The reader desiring to learn more of detail regarding these missions is referred to the several 
books mentioned on previous pages, including the American State Papers .Aborigine Aflairs, volume ii. 
Also to the Report of Judge John L. Leib in November. IH24. to Governor Lewis Cass Superintendent of 
.\borigine Affairs in Michigan. 



410 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

for the iniquitous violation of the laws of God and of the Nation hv the 
venders of intoxicating beverages. 

Missii.iNS TN General — Exi'e\M)Itl;res — Lands. 

The report ol the Secretary of War ot tht- exi)enditures for educat- 
ing and civilizing the Aborigines for the year lH:2;-j from the annual ap- 
luojiriation made by Act of Congress March ii, IHIS), gives the total of 
SI 1, 11-55.83. The only items of this sum relating to this Basin other 
than those mentioned on previous pages are $120 expended by John 
M'Donald of Ohio for the education of a Choctaw youth : $183 expended 
by John Tipton United States Agent to the .Aborigines at Fort Wayne 
to a school (name not given) for the education of Aborigines at Fort 
Wayne; and $250 to Reverend James B. Finley for the Methodist Mis- 
sion School among the Wyandots of Upper Sandusky and the Blanch- 
ard River. 

Interest in missionary efforts increased and, the 3rd March, 1824, 
Application of the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions for 
Pecuniary aid in Civilizing the Aborigines was communicated to Con- 
gress. There was a party in Congress, however, who opposed such 
appropriations and, the 6th January, 1K24, a resolution was passed 
providing for a committee to incjuire into the expediency of repealing 
the Act of 3rd March, 1819, entitled An Act Making Provision for the 
Civilization of the Aborigine Tribes Adjoining the Frontier Settlements. 
Mr. M'Lean, of Ohio, of the Committee on Aborigine Affairs to whom 
this resolution was referred, reported the 23rd March, 1824, after a 
careful examination and exposition of the subject 'that it is inexpedient 
to repeal the law making an annual a]ipropriation of ten thousand dol- 
lars for the Civilization of the Aborigines.' Of the twenty-one mission 
schools that had been established among the Aborigines previous to 
1824, two were within this Basin, and one adjoining it, as heretofore 
described. 

The wisdom of the efforts to extinguish the .'\borigines' claims to 
lands by the United States Congress, and the removal of the tribes to 
more western reservations, became more apparent in 1824-25; also the 
wisdom of the abolishment of the Trading .\gencies. The report of 
Thomas L. M' Kinney, who was in charge of the office of Aborigine 
Affairs which was yet connected with the War Department at Wash- 
ington, shows that on January 10, 1825, there were in Ohio 2350 Abo- 
igines yet claiming 409,501 acres of land, viz: 542 Wyandots claiming 
163,840 acres: 800 Shawnees, 117,615 acres: 551 Senecas, 55,505 
acres: 80 Delawares, 5760; 377 Ottawas, 50,581, with individual 
holdings of 16,200 acres. In Michigan Territory there were 28,316 
Aborigines claiming 7,057,920 acres, of which number there were but 



PREPARATIONS FOR REMOVING THE ABORIGINES. 411 

1(11) I'ottawotamis in tliis Hasin. In Indiana tlurc win- oi tlic Miainis 
incliidint; tin- V.v\ Kivtr hand 107i!, claimin)^ 10, 104, (>()() acres. In 
Indiana and Illinois then- wcru iiitOO Chii>pcvvas and Pottawotamis yet 
claiming an unknown part of the land credited to the Miainis. 

The 20th May, 1H2(), the Committee on Ahori^ine Affairs rejiorted 
to Congress thi- estimated exi)enditures of this ofSce durinj,' the year as 
$1 ,0H2,474.()H, it hiinj; an increase over that ol the previous year, and a 
Very larjie sum for that date. 

Auuri loNAi. Trka'iiks, and Rkmovai.s. 

A treaty was held b\ the Wabash River near the mouth of the 
Mississinewa the IHth October, \Hi&, by Lewis Cass, J. H. Kay, and 
John Tipton, in which 

Arth i.K 1. The t'ottawatomi tribe of Aborigines cede to the United States their 
right to all the land within the following limits ; Beginning on the Tippecanoe River 
where the northern boundary of the tract ceded by the Pottawatomies to the United 
States by the Treaty of St. Marys in the year 1818 intersects the same ; thence in a direct 
line to a point on Eel River half way between the mouth of the said river and Fierish's 
village; thence, up Eel River to Seeks village near the head thereof; thence, in a 
direct line to the mouth of a creek emptying into the St. Jo.seph of the Miami [Maumee] 
near Metea's village; thence, up the St. Joseph to the boundary line between the 
States of Indiana and Ohio; thence, south to the Miami [Maumee]; thence, up the 
same to the Reservation at l*"ort Wayne ; thence, with the lines of said Reservation to 
the boundary established l)y the Treaty with the Miamis in 1818; thence, with the said 
line to the Wabash River ; thence, with the same river to the mouth of the Tippecanoe 
River: and thence, with the said Tippecanoe River to the place of beginning. .And the 
said tribe also cede to the United States all their right to land within the follosving limits : 
Beginning at a point on Lake Michigan ten miles due north of the southern extreme 
thereof ; running thence due east to the land ceded by the Aborigines to the United 
States by the Treaty of Chicago; thence, south with the boundary thereof ten miles; 
thence west to the southern extreme of Lake Michigan ; thence, with the shore thereof 
to the place of beginning. 

For this cession, and a road from Lake Michifjan southward 
through their remainintj claim, the Pottawatomies were given ' goods ' 
to the value of thirty thousand five hundred and forty-seven dollars and 
seventy-one cents : an annuity for twenty-two years of two thousand 
dollars in silver ; a blacksmith ; an annual payment of two thousand 
dollars for education as long as Congress thought proper: a grist mill 
on the Tippecanoe River with a miller, and one himdred and sixty 
bushels of salt annually ; all iiayments to be made at Fort Wayne. 
Also in this Treaty, with other grants on the Wabash and Eel Rivers, 
there were granted within this Basin 

To Eliza C. Kercheval one section of land on the Maumee River commencing at the 
first place where the road from Fort Wayne to Defiance strikes the Miami [Maumee] on 
the north side thereof about five miles below Fort Wayne, and from that point running 
half a mile down the river and half a mile up the river, and back for quantity. 



412 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

To James Knaggs son of the sister of Okeos chief of the Kiver Huron Pottawotamis. 
one half-section of land on the Miami [Maumee] where the boundary line between 
Indiana and Ohio crosses the same. 

To each of fifty-eight Aborigines by birth, [names given] who are now or have 
been scholars in the Carey Mission School on the St. Joseph under the direction of the 
Rev. Isaac M'Coy, (see ante page IfliI) one quarter-section of land to be located under 
the direction of the President of the United States. 

To John B. Bourie of Aborigine descent one section of land to be located on the 
Miami [Maumee] River adjoining the old boundary line below Fort Wayne. 

To Joseph Parks an Aborigine one section of land to be located at the point where 
the boundary line strikes the St. Joseph near Metea's village. 

The 26th October, IH-JB, Lewis Cass, j. Brown Ra\-, and John 
Tipton, concluded another treaty by the Wabash near the mouth of the 
Mississinewa with the Miamis, as follows : 

Article 1. The Miami tribe of Aborigines cede to the United States all their 
claim to land in the State of Indiana, north and west of the Wabash and Miami 
[Maumee] Rivers, and of the cession made by the said tribe to the United States by the 
Treaty concluded at St. Marys October (ith, 18!S. 

Art. 2. From the cession aforesaid the following Reservations tor the use of the 
said tribe shall be made ; Fourteen sections of land at Seek's village. Five sections for 
the Beaver, below and adjoining the preceding Reservation. Thirty-six sections at 
F'lat Belly's village. Five sections for Little Charley, above the old village on the north 
side of Eel River. One section for Laventure's daughter, opposite the islands about 
fifteen miles below Fort Wayne. One section for Chapine, above and adjoining Seek's 
village. Ten sections at the White Raccoon's village. Ten sections at the mouth of 
Mud Creek on Eel River, at the old village. Ten sections at the Forks of the Wabash 
[junction of Little River with Wabash]. One Reservation commencing two miles and a 
half below the mouth of the Mississinewa, and running up the Wabash five miles with 
the bank thereof; and from these points running due north to Eel River. And it is 
agreed that the State of Indiana may lay out a canal, or a road, through any of these 
Reservations ; and for the use of the canal, six chains along the same are hereby 
appropriated. 

Art. .'i. There shall be granted to each of the persons named in the schedule 
hereunto anne.ved. and to their heirs, the tracts of land therein designated ; but that so 
granted shall never be conveyed without the consent of the President of the United 
States. 

Art. 4. The commissioners have caused to be delivered to the Miami tribe, goods 
to the value of thirty-one thousand and forty dollars and fifty-three cents in part consider- 
ation for the cession herein made; and it is agreed that, if this Treaty shall be ratified 
by the President and Senate of the United States, the United States shall pay to the 
persons named in the schedule this day signed by the commissioners and transmitted to 
the War Department, the sums affixed to their names, respectively, for goods furnished 
by them and amounting to the sum of thirty-one thousand and forty dollars and fifty- 
three cents. And it is further agreed that payment for these goods shall be made by the 
Miami tribe out of their annuity if this Treaty be not ratified by the United States. 
And the United States further engage to deliver to the said tribe, in the course of the 
next summer, the additional sum of twenty-six thousand two hundred and fifty-nine 
dollars and forty-seven cents, in goods. And it is also agreed that an annuity of thirty- 
five thousand dollars, ten thousand of which shall be in goods, shall be paid to the said 
tribe in the year liS;!'7 ; and thirty thousand dollars, five thousand of which shall be in 



READJUSTMENTS AND CURTAILMENT OF LAND CLAIMS. 413 

goods, in the year 1H2K ; after which time a permanent annuity of twenty-five thousand 
dollars shall be paid to them as long as they exist together as a tribe, which several sums 
are to include the annuities due by preceding treaties lo the said tribe. 

And the United Stales further engage to furnish a wagon and one yoke of oxen for 
each of the following persons, namely: Joseph Kichardville, Black Raccoon, l"'lat Belly, 
White Raccoon, Francois Godfroy, I-ittle Beaver, Mettosanea, Seek, and I.ittle Huron ; 
and one wagon and one yoke of oxen for the band living at the Forks of the Wabash. 
.•\nd also to cause to be built a house, not exceeding the value of six hundred dollars, for 
each of the following persons, namely . Joseph Kichardville, Francois (;otlfroy,,Louison 
C'.odfroy, Francis Lafontaine, White Raccoon, l-a Gros, Jean B. Richardville, Flat 
Belly, and Wauweassee, And also to furnish the said tribe with two hundred head of 
cattle from four to six years old, and two hundred head of hogs; and to cause to be 
annually delivered to them two thousand pounds of iron, one thousand pounds of steel, 
and one thousand pounds of tobacco. And lo provide five laborers to work three months 
in the year for the small villages ; and three laborers to work three months in the year 
for the Mississinewa band. 

Art. .5. The Miami tribe being anxious to pay certain claims existing against 
them, it is agreed as a part of the consideration for the cession in the first article, that 
these claims, amounting to seven thousand seven hundred and twenty-seven dollars and 
forty-seven ceijts, and which are stated in a schedule this day signed by the commissioners 
and transmitted to the War Department, shall be paid by the United States. 

Akt. i). The United States agree to appropriate the sum of two thousand dollars 
.inniially. as long as Congress may think proper, for the support of poor infirm persons of 
the Miami tribe, and for the education of the youth of the said tribe; which sum shall 
be expended under the direction of the I^resident of the United States. 

Akt. 7. It is agreed that the United States shall purchase of the persons named 
in the schedule hereunto annexed the land therein mentioned, which was granted to them 
by the Treaty of St. Marys, and shall pay the price affixed to their names, respectively ; 
the payments to be made when the title to the land is conveyed to the United States. 

.\kt. S. The Miami tribe shall enjoy the right of hunting upon the land therein 
conveyed, so long as the same shall be the property of the United States. 

Art. 9. This treaty, after the same shall be ratified by the President and Senate, 
shall be binding upon the United States. 

In testimony whereof the said Lewis Cass, James B. Kay, and John Tipton, 
commissioners as aforesaid, and the chiefs and warriors of the said Miami tribe, have 
hereunto set their hands, at the Wabash on the 'Ziird October, 1820, and of the Inde- 
pendence of the United States the fifty-first [year]. 

[Signed by the Commissioners and Aborigine Chiefs.] 

Schedule of Grants referred to in the Third Article of the above Treaty: 

To John B Richardville, one section of land between the mouth of Pipe Creek and 
the mouth of Eel River, on the north side of the Wabash; and one section on the north- 
west side of the St. Joseph adjoining the old boundary line ; also one half-section on the 
east side of the St. Joseph below Chappotee's village. To John B. Bourie. one section 
on the north side of the St. Joseph including Chappotee's village. To the wife and 
children of Charley, a Miami chief, one section where they live. To .\nn Hackley and 
Jack Hackley, one section each between the Maumee and St. Joseph Rivers. To the 
children of Maria Christiana De Rome a half-blood Miami, one section between the 
Maumee and the St. Joseph. To Ann Turner, alias Hackley, Rebecca Hackley, and 
Jane S. Wells, each one half-section of land, to be located under the direction of the 
President of the United States. To John B. Richardville, one section of land upon the 
north side of the Wabash to include a large spring nearly opposite the mouth of Pipe 



414 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Creek. To Francois Godfrey, one section above and adjoining said last grant to John B. 
Richardville. To Louison Godfrey, one section above and adjoining the grant to Francois 
Godfrey. To Francis Lafontaine. one section above and adjoining the grant to F'ranqois 
Godfrey. To John B. Richardville, junior, one section on the Wabash below and 
adjoining the Reservation running from the Wabash to Eel River. To Joseph Richard- 
ville, one section above and adjoining the Reservation running from the Wabash to Eel 
River. To La Gros. three sections where he now lives, and one section adjoining the 
Cranberry in the Portage Prairie. One quarter-section of land to each of the following 
persons, namely ; Charles Gouin, Pierre Gouin, and Therese Gouin. to be located under 
the direction of the President of the United States. Two sections of land at the old 
town on Eel River, to be reserved for the use of Metchinequea [Chief Little Turtle]. 

The Delawares at Little Sandusky i5rd .August, 1M29, quitclaimed 
to the United States the reservation granted them "29th September, 

1817, of three miles square adjoining the Wyandot Reservation along 
the Sandusky River, and engaged to remove west of the Mississippi to 
join those gone before to the James River, where their annuity was to 
be i^aid to them. Also the Delawares at St. Marys the same date 
made treaty supplementary to that of 3rd October, 1818, wherein they 
agreed to the removal to a reservation by James tributary of White 
River in Missouri. 

The Senecas of the Sandusky River at Washington, 28th Febru- 
ary, 1831, quitclaimed the reservations granted to them 29th Septem- 
ber, 1817, at the Foot of the Maumee Rapids, and 17th September, 

1818, at St. Marys, and engaged to remove west of the Mississippi. 
Also the Senecas and Shawnees mixed bands at Lewistown, Ohio, 
20th lul}', 1831, being about three hundred in number, quitclaimed 
their reservations of above dates and agreed to remove to a Missouri 
Reservation of 60,000 acres of land. The United States were to pay 
all expenses attending the removal, and to build and equip sawing 
mill and blacksmith shop. 

The Shawnees at Wapakoneta and by Hog Creek, the present 
Ottawa River, about four hundred in number quitclaimed their reser- 
vations 8th August, 1H31, and agreed to remove to a reservation of 
100,000 acres west of the Mississippi by those gone before. Among 
the valuable considerations were : Money advanced to build homes, 
presents of clothing, tools and agricultural implements, promises of 
a flouring mill, a sawing mill, a blacksmith shop with supplies and a 
blacksmith. 

The Ottawas along the lower Maumee at Wolf Rapids and Roche 
de Bout, at Occonoxee Village the present Charloe by the Auglaise 
River, and those by the Blanchard River at the site of the present 
Village of Ottawa, with total number of about two hundred quit- 
claimed in Council at Maumee Bay 30th August, 1831, their claims 
based on the treaties of 1807 and 1817, and engaged to remove to a 



TREATIES FOR REMOVAL OF ABORIGINES WESTWARD. 415 

rt'ServHtion i>l Id.lHK) acres wi'St of tlii' Mississi]>i>i, lor the ronsidt-r- 
atioii of anniiit\, suhsistincc, prt'Si-nts of lilankits, horses, t^ulis, agri- 
cultural impliiiiints, tints, tools, etc. This relin<|uishmtnt did not 
includi' (')4;i acres patintcd |i\ tin- Unitt-d States to Peter Manor 
(Manardi or 'Yellow Hair' situated on the left hank (jf the Maumee 
at Grand Rapids, iiart of which tract yet belongs to his descendants. 
Several conditions and provisions were also embraced in this relin- 
(piishment, viz: A three years' lease was granted C!hief Wau-be-ti;a- 
ka-ke of a Section ol land below and adjoining Peter Manor: also to 
Muck-ijui-on-a or Pearskin one and a halt Section below Wolf Rapids 
with use of thi- island there for no definite tiine. To Hiram Thebault 
a half-lireed Ottawa a (juarter section of land, 160 acres, to include his 
imi)rovements at the Hear Rapids. Also to William M'Nabh a half- 
breed Ottawa a (juartir section adjoining Thebaults. To the children 
of Yellow Hair or ]-'eter Manor, one halt section of land, ;-!20 acres, to 
adjoin the north line of their father's section, tin- lines not to approach 
nearer than one mile to the Maumee. This treaty also provided for 
the pa\ment of debts as follows: 

Article X\1. It is agreed by the chiefs of Blanchard Kiver and Occonoxee 
Villaf»e, and the chiefs of Roche de Bout [see Chapter on the Maumee Kiver] and Wolf 
Hapids, jointly that they are to pay out o£ the surplus proceeds of the several tracts 
herein ceded by them, equal proportions of the claims against them by John K. Hunt. 
John HoUister. Robert A. Korsythe. Payne C. Parker. Peter Minor. Theodore K. Phelps. 
Collister Haskins. and S. and P. Carlin. The chiefs acknowledged the claim of John K. 
Hunt to the amount of $.")(iOO; the claim of John Hollister for 6.")(i00 ; Robert A. Forsythe 
for 87.524 in which are included the claims assigned by Isaac Hull. Samuel Vance. A. 
Peltier, Oscar White, and Antoine Lepoint. They also allow the claim of Pavne (~. 
Parker for 8500; of Peter Minor for SlOOO ; of Theodore E. Phelps for $:«)<); of Collister 
Haskins for S.iO; of S. and P. Carlin for S"i!)8.2."); of Joseph Laronger for S200; of 
Daniel Lakin for S70. [Notwithstanding these acknowledgments and allowances it was 
expressly understood and agreed by the respective parties that the items composing the 
several claims should be submitted to the strictest scrutiny and examination by the 
Secretary of War and the accounting officers of the Treasury Department, and such 
amount only be allowed as was found just and true.] 

Article XIX. The chiefs signing this convention also agree in addition to the 
claims allowed in the sixteenth article thereof, that they owe John Anderson S2I10 and 
Francis Lavoy $200. 

Article ,XX. It is agreed that there shall be allowed to Nau-ou-quai-que-zhick $100 
out of the surplus fund accruing from the sales of the lands herein ceded, in consequence 
of his not owing any debts, and having his land sold to pay the debts of his brethren.* 

These councils with the Aborigines to secure their (juitclaim to 
lands were continued at every opportunity: with the Menomonis of Fox 
River at Washington 8th February, 1831 : with the Wyandots of Big- 
Spring, Crawford County, Ohio, at M'Cutcheonville lyth January, 1832: 
with the Pottawotamis of the Prairie 20th October, 1832, at Camp 

'Laws 0/ the United States volume viii. pat'e luflfl. 



416 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Tippecanoe, Indiana; with the Pottawotamis of Tippecanoe River 26th 
October, 1832; with the Tippecanoe River Pottawotamis of Indiana, 
Illinois and Michigan 27th October, 1832 ; with the western tribes of 
Delawares and Shawnees at Carter Hill near St. Louis, in 1832, to con- 
firm former treaties in general and in particular. 

Attention was also given to the preservation of the health of the 
Aborigines. May 5, 1832, Congress made it the duty of the several 
Agents to employ surgeons or physicians to 'vaccinate the Aborigines 
with genuine vaccine matter to be supplied by the Secretary of War.' 
For this purpose $12,000 was appropriated, on account of the former 
great sufferings of these people with smallpox. Doctor Oscar White 
of the Village of Maumee was employed for this purpose by James 
Jackson, the Agent then residing at Maumee, and in the vear 1833 he 
vaccinated eight hundred Aborigines thereabout, the most of them 
being Ottawas. 

The closing treaty with the Ottawas of the lower Maumee River 
and Maumee Bay, was held 8th February, 1833, by George B. Porter 
United States Commissioner, when they quitclaimed their lands granted 
at the treaties of 1807 and 1817, with the following exceptions: 

Art. II. It is agreed that out of the lands hereby ceded, the following reservations 
shall be made ; and that patents for each tract shall be granted by the United States to 
the individuals respectively, and their heirs, for the quantity hereby assigned to each, 
that is to say; a tract of 1.520 acres shall be laid off at the mouth of the river, on the 
south side thereof, and to be so surveyed as to accommodate the following persons for 
whose use respectively, each tract hereinafter described is reserved, viz ; 320 acres to 
A.u-to-kee [Ottokee] a Chief, at the mouth of the river to include Presque Isle : 800 acres 
to Jacques, Robert, Peter, Antoine, Francis and Alexis Navarre, to include their present 
[183'i] improvements; 160 acres for Way-say-on the son of Tush-qua-guan, to include 
his father's old cabin ; the remaining 240 acres to be set off in the rear of these two sec- 
tions ; 80 acres thereof for Petau, and if practicable to include her cabin and field; 80 
acres more thereof for Cheno a Chief, above or higher up the little creek, and the other 
80 acres thereof for Joseph Le Cavalier Ranjard, deceased. Also the following tracts on 
the north side of said river: IfiO acres to Wau-sa-on-o-quet a Chief, to include the 
improvement where he now lives on Pike Creek, and to front on the Bay ; 80 acres for 
Leon Guoin and his children, adjoining the last and on the south side thereof; 100 acres 
for .Aush-cush, and Ke-tuck-ee, Chiefs, to be laid off on the north side of Ottawa Creek 
fronting on the same, and above the place where the said Aush-cush now lives. One 
hundred and sixty acres for Robert A. Forsyth of Maumee. to be laid off on each side of 
the turnpike road where Halfway Creek crosses the same; and KiO acres fronting on the 
Mauniee River to include the place where Ke-ne-wau-ba formerly resided; KiO acres for 
John E. Hunt, fronting on the said river immediately above and adjoining the last; and 
also 160 acres to adjoin the former tract on the turnpike road. The said tracts to be 
surveyed and set off under the direction of the President of the United States. 

The said Au-to-kee, Wa-say-on, Pe-tau-che-no, Wau-sa-on-o-quet, Au.sh-cush, and 
Ke-tuck-kee, being Aborigines, the lands hereby reserved for them are not to be alienated 
without the approbation of the President of the United States. 

The said Leon Guoin has resided for a long time among these .\borigines : has 
subsisted them when they would otherwise have suffered, and they are greatly attached 



FINAL TREATIES WITH OTTAWAS. AND OTHERS. 417 

to him. They request that the grant be to him ami his present wife durinfi their joint 
lives, and the life of the survivor, and to their children in fee. 

The said Jacques, Robert, Peter, .\ntoine, Francis and Alexis Navarre have. long 
resided among these Aborigines; intermarried with them, and been valuable friends. 

The said .Vlbert Kanjard, deceased, had purchased land of them previous to the 
late war [of 1H12] upon which he had paid them f.'tdll for which his family had never 
received any equivalent. 

The reservations to the said Robert .\. Korsyth and John E. Hunt being at the 
especial request of the said band, in consideration of their long residence among them, 
and the many acts of kindne.ss they have extended to them. 

.\kt. 111. In consideration of which it is agreed that the United States shall pay 
to the said band of .Aborigines the sum of twenty-nine thousand four hundred and forty 
dollars, to be, by direction of the said band, applied in extinguishment of their debts in 
manner following, that is to say: To John Hollister and Company seven thousand three 
hundred and sixty-five dollars which includes other claims, directed by the said Aborigines 
to be by him paid, amounting to thirteen hundred and ninety-five dollars as per schedule 
.'\, herewith ; To John K. Hunt nine thousand nine hundred and tsventy-nine dollars, 
which includes other claims directed by the said Aborigines to be by him paid, amounting 
to two thousand six hundred and seventy-five dollars and sixty-three cents, as per sched- 
ule H. lu-rrwith ; To Robert A. Forsyth of Maumee ten thousand eight hundred and 
ninety dollars, which includes other claims directed by the said Aborigines to be by him 
paid, amounting to four thousand tour hundred and ten dollars, as per schedule C here- 
with, [none of these schedules are on file, and could not be published] ; to Louis Heaufit 
seven hundred dollars; to Pierre Menard four hundred dollars; to John King one 
hundred dollars; to I^ouis King fifty-six dollars. 

Within six months after payment by the United States of the said consideration 
money, the said Aborigines agree to remove from all the lands herein ceded. And it is 
expressly understood that in the meantime no interruption shall be offered to the survey 
of the same by the United States. 

And whereas the said Band have represented to the said Commisssoner that under 
the treaty, as interpreted by them, entered into with John B. Gardiner. Commissioner on 
the part of the United States, on the liOth day of August, l.S:il, [noted on page tl 1] for 
the cession of a part of their lands, there is due to them, jointly with that portion of the 
tribe that has emigrated, eighteen thousand dollars, and for which they have made no 
claim. Whenever this deficiency shall be paid, it is agreed that out of said fund there 
shall be paid to Joseph Leronger in full satisfaction of all his claim, four hundred dollars; 
and to Pierre Menard in like satisfaction sixteen hundred dollars; to Gabriel Godfroy, 
Junior, in like satisfaction two hundred dollars ; to Waubee's daughter Nau-quesh-kum- 
o-qua fifty dollars; to Charles Leway or Nau-way-nes fifty dollars; to Doctor Horatio 
Conant two hundred dollars in full satisfaction of all claim; and to Joseph F. Marsac 
fifty dollars. 

The final treaties for the removal, westward, of the .\horiyines who 
had recently roamed at will aloni; the Maumee River and elsewhere 
through this Basin, are as follows: with five hands of Pottawotamis in 
Indiana in 1834; also in iHolJ with five bands: with Wvandots 23rd 
April, 1886, to reduce their claims : also with the Miamis at the 
junction of Little River with the Wabash 6th November, 1838, wherein 
they quitclaimed their former reservations, a few receiving smaller res- 
ervation grants, one being " to O-zah-shin-quah and the wife of 
Brouilette, daughters of the 'Deaf Man' [and his wife the near life-long 



418 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

American captive Frances Slocum, see ante page S^-ifi] as tenants in 
common, one Section of land by the Mississinewa River [a tributarv of 
tfie Wabasli having origin in Ohio] to include the improvements where 
they now live:"* two treaties with tlie Miamis in 183H, and two sub- 
treaties; with the Pottawotamis of Hillsdale County and other parts of 
southern Michigan; with the Miamis of the Mississinewa; and with the 
Wyandots at Upper Sandusky 23rd April, 1842. 

Descendants (if the Aborioines, in General and in Particular. 

The study of mankind is the most interesting of studies, its interest 
being enhanced by the natural inheritance by man of elements which 
impel toward the development of civilization in the broadest and best 
sense — toward continual advancement in all things conducive to a 
higher, better estate. 

From the history of peoples we learn that primitive man, or man 
at the beginning of written history, was in low estate in everything 
excepting bone, brawn and bravery: that some men held to their inward 
propelling forces for the betterment of their condition, and that their 
succeeding generations have struggled on against natural obstacles, the 
temptations to evil habits and the tendencies to reversions to barbarism 
and savagery that have beset the lives of all, and that have blasted 
the lives of the multitude in relatively decreasing numbers to the 
present time. 

Man's development toward a better estate, even of the most pro- 
gressive races, has been slow and tortuous, often impeded in the 
succeeding generations, sometimes whoUv suppressed among most 
peoples and, at times, well nigh extinguished among all. It has been 
shown on preceding pages that great upheavals and depressions of the 
earth's surface in extensive regions, and extreme changes of climate 
from heat to cold, from snow to ice and to flood, have driven people 
widely from the native places of their ancestors, if they were not envel- 
oped at once to their destruction. The survivors of different genera- 
tions have been widely dispersed, both by the angry moods of nature 
and by their warring neighbors, and necessitated to adapt themselves 
to new and widely different retreats and conditions. 

Yet, despite all these olistacles, some races continued to |irogress. 
They successfully bore the double burden of defending themselves 
against the warring and thieving habits of other tribes while accumu- 
lating material wealth and knowledge and contributing their portion to 
that development, material, mental, moral, and spiritual, which is the 
true destiny of triumphant mankind. 



Laws of the United States, volume ix. pa«e 153L 



LOW ESTATE OF ABORIGINES. THEIR MISNAMING. 419 

Different races have thus shown varying tendencies, and abilities, 
to evolve this destiny. The American Aborigines* north of north 
latitude 87° have been the lowest in the list for these tendencies. As 
found by Eurojx'ans they were the most savage of mankind, and there 
were no active influences at work for tlie betterment of their condition. 
There had been some advancement by the proliable ancestors of some 
if not all of the tribes, the mound builders, who were somewhat fixed 
in their habitations and who jjartook to a degree of the stone and 
textile work of the more southwestern tribes, and from whom came the 
polished stone implements and weapons possessed, by inheritance and 
conquest, by the Aborigines wandering through this Basin when 
discovered by the French. 

The mysteries enveloping the prehistoric period of the Amer- 
ican .Aborigines, the paradoxes, and the vagaries of their char- 
acter including their religions, and their long-continued successes in 
savagery displayed in their historic period, have made these people 
fruitful subjects for all classes of writers; and from the nature of the 
subject as well as from the character of the writers, much of misappre- 
hension and of fiction have been indited. Their general taciturn 
demeanor in the presence of strangers, generally due to their igno- 
rance, diffidence or suspicion, has been ascribed to their possession of 
great wisdom. The poverty and uncertainty of their language con- 
duced to the same result. t Their expressions on subjects other than 
those most common were so involved or indefinite that it was impos- 
sible to get exact interpretations of what they did say and of their 



* Christopher Columbus, when he landed on the Island of San Salvador, supposed he was in India; 
and he therefore called the natives Indians in his report. A few other navigators were likewise 
deceived ; and their fabulous reports of the wealth and possibilities of the country for sotne length of 
time eclipsed the former reports of the real India. The term Indians, to designate the Aborigines of 
America, thus became common among the people of maritime nations. When the true nature of the Con- 
tinent became known, the use of this misnomer should have been discontinued. It had entered into the 
language of commerce and of war. however, and the peoples engaged in these absorbing avocations cared 
more for ready common words than for accuracy. But it is astonishing that scientists — archaeologists, 
ethnologists, anthropologists — have continued to perpetuate, parrot-like, this erroneous and very objec- 
tionable term ! .\ few of them at Washington have even done worse by trying to engraft into our language 
the meaningless, bastard term .Amerind, made uii of the first two syllables of the word .America, and the 
first syllable of Indian, ttecessitating an accompanying explanation. Nor are the terms red race or 
American race ai)t>ropriate. Color is of relative and uncertain significance when applied to peoi>les: and 
it is quite well established that the American .Aborigines are of the Mongolian race type. The theory of 
their coming to America by way of Bering Strait is the most plausible one. unless we conceive that 
they came before the present contour of the continents was established. The term Aborigines is suffi- 
cient designation with occasional addition of local and tribal names. See the article ' A Plea for Greater 
simplicity, and Greater Accuracy, in the Writings of the Future Regarding the .American .Aborigines ' in 
The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal, volume xxiv. January-February. 1902. by Charles E. 
Slocum. 

t The language of the average tribe was so indefinite and inexpressive that imperfect comprehen- 
sions of each other was the rule on all but the most common subjects : and communications in the 
dark or at a distance when gesticulations could not be seen, were impossible other than expressions of 
alarm, call, and greeting. 



420 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

meanings.* The impossibility of Europeans fully comprehending 
their meanings, led to inferences in their favor; and the suggestive 
catechisms 1)\- the former led to assents by the latter to what they 
imperfectly understood, if understood at all. Here was the opportun- 
ity of the 'able interpreter' and book compiler, who rose equal to the 
occasions of presuming the sentiments and of rounding out sentences 
in English that make the imputed author's speeches and myths equal 
to those of cultured intellects — whose products thev really are. The 
sentiments as imputed to the Seneca chief Logan in 1774, which have 
been extensively imposed upon school children as an example of 
Aborigine eloquence, were first formulated by Simon Girty and then 
rewritten, amplified and embellished by the facile John Gibsont before 
they were recast for the school-reader. 

These Aborigines were wholly confined to the use of stone, stick, 
l)one, and horn weapons and implements that could be readily gathered, 
until the coming of the Europeans. Metal knives and hatchets were 
traded to them for furs at New Amsterdam (now New York) as early 
as the year 1(109: and it is probable that some European weapons 
were obtained from navigators previous to this date. Guns were sup- 
plied later, and slowly at first as the price was high. The Miamis had 
obtained but few guns uji to the year l()7t), but the tribes to the east- 
ward and northward were earlier and more numerously sui^plied. 
With these European weapons the savages became more formidable 
foes; although where numbers were engaged in conflict at close range 
bows and arrows were more destructive than fusees or flint-lock 
muskets and pistols, then the only firearms. To the war-parties sent 
out by the British against the Americans, guns and other weapons of 
good service were freely furnished them. Although they were taught 
much of war by the French and British, they could not be brought to 
strict military tactics or to disciijline ; and they were prone to desert 
when most needed. 

The bond of union between members of trilies, was not strong, 
although it generally required t)ut little provocation for one member, 
or all, to enter upon the defense of another against those of other 
tribes or bands. The number of members of a tribe or band varied by 
desertions to and from as well as by captivities and deaths. Thus 
many small tribes and bands were being formed, and others extin- 
guished. The authoritx' of all chiefs was very limited at all times, and 
often nil. Individuals were not obliged to obey. They joined a i)ro- 



* Compare Count de Vohiey's Views of the United States of America in 1796. paye 355. 

t Compare Whittlesey's Fugitive Essays page 143; Brantz Mayer's Logan and Cresap and Butter- 
field's ///s^or>' o^ (^e Girtys page 29: and per contra. State Department MSS. Jefferson Papers .5-1. 4. 
wherein Gibson declared to John .Anderson, trader, that his writini; was a literal translation. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LATER ABORICINES. 421 

posLcl (.-xcursion oiilv win ii it olftrud a ])i()l)alilf incn.'asc of uxcitiiinnl, 
sensuous itululmncc, oi ])i(i(il ; and aii\onc, or all, would lorsakt- tin- 
leader at will. 

\'ery inditiereiit il aii\ care was ui\en to f(<l)le children and to tlu- 
decrei)it ot all a(;es : and tlie\ , with the sick who did not soon recover 
without care, or diil not die Irom the barbarous demonstrations of the 
sorcerers, were often left alom- to their fate and in other mood, their 
dead were luwaiK-d with much noise. 

The shades ot color, reddish or copper and darker, of thi' skin of 
these Ahoriuines were due largely to the juices, greases, paints, smoke, 
dirt, etc., to which tlu-ir skins were constantly besmeared, and to the 
effects of the sun and weather. Many of those now conforming to 
civilized usages do not varv materially in color from the average 
American of like habits.' 

It was the custom ol the men to keep their faces smooth by pluck- 
ing the beard as soon as it could be felt. This was universally the 
custom, fixed by habit, and was done by grasping each hair between 
thumb and finger and thus extracting it. A special appliance for pre- 
vention of growth of beard at one time rejiorted, was found to be a 
pair of strong, close-joining mussel shells by which the beard could be 
more readily and uniformly extracted than by the thumb and finger. 

Until their final subjugation by the United States, the Aborigines 
continued cannibals as when first seen by Europeans, although in 
deference to the European sentiment and larder the eating of human 
flesh was curtailed to times of great want and excitement. They ate 
some of their captives, and even their own people, on occasions of 
war, feast, and of famine. The hunting of game was their sport, and 
when game was plentiful they were generally satisfied with it as a food 
supply. Before the teachings, examjiles, and feedings of the Euro- 
peans, the choice of their meat ( between that of game, their dogst or 
human flesh ) was apparently more from the desire for convenience, and 
a change, than from humane sentiment. In rare feasts, and particu- 



* See ante page 6tt; ami Count de Voiney's Views of America pages 353. .161. 

t The doB was the only animal domesticated possessed by these Aborigines before the coming of 
Europeans with horses and ponies; and. then, for other than these, they had little or no desire further 
than for the ready supply of meat that the cattle afforded. The dogs possessed in this Basin by the 
.\borigines resembled the wolves hei e in color, muzzle, tail, and general characteristics, other than that 
they were about one-third shorter in limbs than the wolves. They did not bark, but howled and 
snapped like the wolves. They rendered good assistance in the capture of large game. They were 
sturdy and courageous, says Augustus Skiver the last and most successful of the wolf-hunters in 
Defiance County. These dogs became extinct here with the removal of the last of the Aborigines from 
this region in 1H43. Charles Darwin in his book on the Origin of Species quotes James Pierce who 
wrote in Silliman's Journal tliat ' there were two varieties of wolf inhabiting the Catskill Mountains 
New York — one with a light grey hound-like form which pursues deer, and the other more bulky with 
shorter legs, which more freijuentlv attacks the shepherds' flocks.' Probably this last-mentioned wolf 
was more readily domesticated than the former, when caught young. 



422 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

larly in times of triumph over their toes, human flesh continued to be 
preferred. This was witnessed at the lower Maumee River as late as 
May, 1S13, even when the British larder was open to them.* 

Thev were generally great gormandizers when food was plentiful. 
Even Little Turtle, one of the most circumspect of Aborigines, was 
addicted to this habit although he was temperate in the use of spirit- 
uous li(iuors. The British Agent, Sir William Johnson, dreaded the 
expense of feeding them during the necessary councils. He wrote 23rd 
October, 176fl, that nine hundred and thirty had then arrived for the 
Treaty of Fort Stanwix (at the present Rome, New York) and others 
were continually arriving 'each of whom consumes daily more than 
two ordinary men amongst us, and would be extremely dissatisfied if 
stinted when convened for business', t When game was scarce they 
ate wild beans, artichokes, currants, mull)erries, lichens, inner bark 
and buds of trees, snakes, frogs, etc.; and the women gave more 
attention to cultivating maize, pumpkins, squashes and potatoes. 

The cause of these Aborigines being void of civilization up to the 
time of the coming of Europeans has been attributed to the absence 
here of native animals, as the horse, cow, sheep, etc., which could be 
domesticated for their food and use.+ That this theory is not sufficient 
we have but to refer for evidence to the great cities, temjiles, and a 
civilization found li\ tlu- Spaniards in Mexico and Central America 
where there was the same dearth of animals for domestication: also to 
the fact that no civilizing effect was apparently produced on many of 
these people by the first two hundred years association with and use of 
these animals obtained from the French, the British, and the Americans. 

It must be admitted that the early French and British, the coureurs 
de bois. soldiers, voyageurs. and traders, with whom the Aborigines 
came first into association, were far from lieing good exemplars of and 
for civilization. The French settlements were often composed of a 
lazy, idle people, depending chiefly on the savages for their subsistence, 
for which they would exchange brandy and gew-gaws if any payment 
was given. S These were evil times for both peoples. The gin of the 
Hollanders, the brandy of the French, and the rum of the British, 



* Foi statements reyarding the cannibalism of tlie North American Abori(,'ines see Index refer- 
ences to previous pages. Also The American Pioneer vol. i p. bO: Brice's History of Fort Wayne pages 
121-123,210; Dunn's History of Indiana pates 34, 2.5; Map, ante page 97; New Yorit Colonial Documents 
vol. ix pages 338, .i7S, ,'>9(<. 620, 644, etc. ; Documentary History of New York vol. i page 238; Journal of 
William Trent; The Jesuit Relations: Alexander Henry's Travels: Rev. Isaac M'Coy's History of 
Baptist Missions Among the Aborigines pSi^e Sli, where women d\d the carving and cooking as late as 
1825; and Letters of Columbus describing his first and fourth voyages. New York 1892, pages 47, 227, 

t London Document XLI, New York Colonial Documents volume viii, page 105. 

t See Nathaniel S. Shaler's The United States of America, volume i, page 33. 

§ See Francis Parkman's writings on the French and English in North ,'Vmerica. 



THE UNITED STATES RECEIVED AN EVIL HERITAGE. 423 

formed the great incubus which modified in all cases, and wholly 
prevented in others, the efforts that have been exerted l)v missionaries 
and the United States for the civilization of these savage ])eople. The 
Frence regime of over one hundred years in this Basin very freely 
mixed the blood, and (ully engrafted the lowest vices of that Nation 
upon these peoi)le. Then followed the British who (during their great 
efforts continued in lull lorn from ITlid to islfi* to appease and to ally 
these savages to their selfish interest ol conquest alone) outdid the 
French in the debauchment of them by alcoholic beverages, and by the 
incitement of their savage instincts and haliits to revel in the blood of 
the Americans. 

Surel\ the United States received an evil heritage in the vices of 
these European peoples thus for several generations thoroughly 
engrafted on and cultivated in tlu' nature and habits of these savages ! 
It would have l^een far better loi tin United States had these savages 
all been driven to their friends and allies, the British, in 1814 or before, 
there to remain I They had many times forfeited every right they ever 
possessed to American soil, according to the laws of nations as well as 
the rights of self-presi rvation of the several times conquering Americans. 
The great leniency, and magnanimity, of the United States Government 
was liere nolily exemjjlified, as it has been on many other occasions. 

Some of the characteristics of these people that were thus the 
results of changes wrought in them by association of succeeding gener- 
ations with Hollanders, Frenchmen, and with the British, liave been 
recorded as the Aboriginal characteristics. The mixture of the aborig- 
inal with the results of these engraftings, and the continuance of the 
.\borigines in s(|ualor and wretchedness, have given flight to the 
imaginations and activity to the inns of sentimentalists of all grades, 
and often with unjust reflections u])on the United States Government. 
These savages lived altogether in their i)resent, and from impulse. 
They had no famil\- names. The\ kmw nothing of their pedigree, nor 
of the story of the people who preceded them: but when the Europeans 
told them of their own Kings and something of the story of their 
country, some imaginative persons there were among them who by 
intimations and assents to suggestive (juestionings, left the impression 
with their interlocutors of faliulous characteristics among these simple 
people. The British sought to classify them, to ajiportion coats of 
arms to them, and in every wa\' to magnifv the importance of supposed 



* As late as July. 18.^2. the British attracted to Ainherstburg. Canada, one of the largest gatherings 
of Aborigines ever recorded on the American Continent. They were then again gathered bv them from all 
parts of the United States, even the Flatheads of the extreme west. This gathering, and the great flow 
of into.\icants. spoiled the work of the .American missionaries at the near-by station. See Rev. Elnathan 
C. Gavitt's Crumbs from my Saddle Bags page 165. 



424 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

or desired characteristics. ' The French writers contributed much to 
the multii)lication and contusion of the names of nations ' trifles, and 
of the general nomenciature inciuding the speifinjjs, as they have 
j^eneratfy lieen responsibfe for similar confusion throughout the world. 
They preferred to give a name that appeared to them as a characteristic, 
rather than to adopt the uncertain name used by the Aborigines. 
Thus they could discuss the various tribes before them without exciting 
offense bv frequent reference to the names not understood by the savage 
listeners. Most of the names listed b\- the early writers as separate 
'nations' and tribes, have been discontinued in accordance with the 
later tendency to simplify and elucidate the subject. Thus from thi: 
first of their history there has been much of misapprehension regarding 
the Aljorigines and their descendants, derived from misstatements of 
those who wrote of them and of their alleged works. Even the earliest 
pictures of them, of their towns and forts (those of DeBry, Hariot, 
Champlain, and LaHontan l give a glamour of size, symmetry and 
construction quite unlike those of later authentic accounts which show 
very primitive tipis and huts made of poles and bark that the women 
could readily gather and put together in any timbered region. These 
were, at most, occasionally reinforced by skins of wild animals or mats 
of grass. Such huts were but little improved upon during two hundred 
years association with the Europeans with their metal cutting tools and 
later sawing mills — see ante pages 368 and 398. 

Tribes that were more widely separated, and that had less com- 
munication with each other, varied most in their speech; and the vari- 
ation was so marked with some as to indicate several generations of 
wide separation. Those trifles having nearest the same speech are 
accepted as of the same linguistic stock, though many of them may 
have lieen captives from widely distributed trifjes among whom the 
speech varied most. Only those who were most frequently known in 
this Basin — of the Algonkins and Iroc|uois — will be here described, 
although other distant tribes of these and of the Muskoki, Panis and 
Dakota stocks often passed through this region. 

The Algonkin Linci'istic Stock. 

The Algonkins have been taken as typical specimens of the Abo- 
rigines of the northeastern part of North .America. The tribes of this 
stock which have been prominent in this Basin were the Chippewas, 
Lenapes or Delawares, Illinois and allied bands, Miamis and allied 
bands, Menomonis, Ottawas, Pottawotamis and Shawnees. 



* See Documentary History of New York volume ii. paues 3 to 11. Baron La Hontan did the 
same at the bek'inniny of the eiylueenth century, and he is responsible for much of the misinformation 
retiardini; these people — see his Memoires de I'Amerique Septentrionale. ou la suite des Voyages. 1703. 



THE TRIBES THAT ROAMED THROUGH THIS BASIN. 425 

Chippewas. Ojihwa was recorded by the French as the tril)al 
nanu- ol the ancestors oi the present Chippewas, many of whom y«t 
dwell at the sites of the homes of their ancestors in northern Minne- 
sota, northern Michij^an and in Ontario, on the K It hank of the Kiver 
and Lake St. Clair. 'Phi' French also calKcl them Sauteurs from their 
lintierin^ near the Saut Sainle Marie. These savafies freely indulged 
their appetite for human flesh after their capture of the British garri- 
son of Fort Michilimackinac during Fontiac's War in 1768.* They 
were often and numerouslx' through this Basin. In 17(54 a few of these 
])eoi)k- liy the lower Maumee so pleased the British Captain Thomas 
Morris that he thought them the most pleasing entertainers he had met. 
In 1M-J2 they were yet a nunu rous tribe viz: 5669 dwelt by Saginaw 
Bay, River and vicinity in Michigan; H33ii from Mackinaw westward 
to the Mississippi in nineteen settlements: 1600 wjth Ottawas along 
Green Bay and west side of Lake Michigan: and "jOO with Fottawot- 
amies in Indiana. t 

The Illinois (name also written .\liniouck, Ilinoucs Irini, Irinions, 
niinese.etc. ) tribes embraced the Kahokia, Moingona, Peoria, Kaskaskia, 
and Tamaroas bands. They were formerly also allied with the Miamis. 
They were at war with the Five Nations (Iroquois) of New York, 
sometimes meeting them with the Miamis at the Maumee River. 
Later, thej' suffered severe reverses and depletion along the Illinois 
River by these enemies. Later they were nearly destroyed by the 
Sacs and Foxes. In 1822 only thirty-six Kaskaskias remained in Illi- 
nois, the others had removed west of the Mississippi. In 1854 the 
Peorias, Kaskaskias, Piankishaws, and Weas were confederated. 
They are now less than two hundred in number, reside in the Indian 
Territory, wear the clothing of civilized people, and are prospering. 

The Lenapes, Lejini Lenapes or Delawares, were found early in 
the seventeenth century by the large 'South River' which, after the 
appearance there in the year 1610 of Lord de la Warre as Governor of 
Virginia, received his name which has latterly been written Delaware. 
This name was also applied to these Aborigines. This was the princi- 
pal tribe from whom William Penn purchased lands in J6N2. As with 
other tribes they were divided, and with different names. The main 
divisions at one time were called the Unami or Turtle, the Unalachigo 
or Turkey, and the Minsi, Ministi Munseyi, or Wolf tribe. The French 
had little knowledge of them while east of the Allegheny Mountains, 
but called them all Loups or Wolves, and confounded them with the 
Mohicans of the Hudson River between whom there was formerly much 



* Alexander Henry's Travels. New York, 18(19. Parknian's Conspiracy of Pontiac volume i, 
pace .foT. 

1 Sec'Report of the Regents 0/ the Smithsonian Institution IHSi. Pan 11 paues «»5, 886. 



426 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

of intercourse and relationship. Tht-y were subiugated by the Five 
Nations of New York and greatly humiliated, being' called bv them 
the Saginaga and the Squaw Nation. 

Leaving the Delaware River, probabl\- from comi)ulsion, they 
came westward. Part ot the tribi- came to Ohio in the year 1724.* 
The United Brethren Missionaries 'Moravians) did a good work 
with part of the tribe which had headi]uarters in eastern Pennsylvania 
and later by the Tuscarawas River a tributary of the Muskingum in 
Ohio. The missionaries' band was susi^ected hv the British of favor- 
ing the French. They were frequently visited by the hostile savages 
of their tribe and other tribes and, during the Revolutionary War, thej' 
were suspected by the Americans of being friends of the British, and 
even accused of aiding the marauding savages — see ante pages 134, 
146. The Delawares early became separated and scattered. Some of 
the more warlike dwelt with the Miamis for a time, perhaps perma- 
nently. One band can be traced in western Ohio and in Indiana in 
the reports on previous pages of hostilities against Americans, and 
in treaties of friendship and purchase of their claims to land. By their 
early legends they gained the title among many tribes of being the 
most direct descendants known of the most ancient people, which idea 
has been since exploited bv some writers. The Miamis, Shawnees, 
and other chiefs when in peace councils (as at Greenville in 1795) 
referred to them on this account as their grandfathers. Their great 
warchief in the battles with Americans in and near this Basin, in the 
last part of the eighteenth century and the first part of the nine- 
teenth, bore the name Buckongehelas. The names of other chiefs are 
also appended to the Treatx' at Greenville : and others appear on 
different pages of this book —see Index. Captain Pipe was principal 
in authority among the Delawares of northern Ohio for many 
years, dating from llxH. He was much addicted to the use of intoxi- 
cants, and had a general following of his people in this habit. In 
1822 eighty Delawares were reported dwelling near Upper Sandusky, 
Ohio, and 1700 mixed with Munsees ' Moheakunnunks' and 'Nanti- 
cokes' dwelling near the Mississinewa and White Rivers, Indiana. 

Miamis. It is probable that the first Europeans who visited the 
Maumee River, and the southern part of Lake Michigan, met members 
of the Miami tribe or nation. Champlain, early in the seventeenth 
century, mentioned Les Gens de Feu the people of or near fire south- 
west of Lake Erie — see map ante page 75. Later writings mention 
the Mascoutens or ]irairie tribes. These terms probably referred to the 
bands of Miamis which roamed over the prairies and were each year 



^ Documentary History of New York volume ii. paye 585. 



LOCATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MIAMIS. 411 

llalilc to l>f iniurid l)y prairii- fires. In the years KJ'jT-oH it was written 
of the Miamis tfiat the Oiimamick Nation lias fully eit;ht thousand men, 
or more than twenty-four thousand souls.* This estimated number 
was i)rol)al)l\' intended only tor those about Lake Michigan, and was, 
jjerhaps, too hijjh. Charlevoix wrote that in 1(171 the Miamis were 
divided into three villajjes — one b\- the River St. Joseph [i>robatily of 
Lake Michi^Jan] tht- second by another river which bears their name 
[/?/v/ere des Miamis, the Maumee] and runs into Lake Erie, and thi,' 
third upon the Oubaclu- [Wabash] which runs into the Mississippi. 
Those of Lake Michigan in after years passed to the other Miami 
vilUiKes, or united with other bands or trilies. Those at or near the 
present City of Lafayette, probably mixed with the Kickapoos, were 
early named liv the French Ouiotenons (which name was aiibreviated 
to Ouis, and later spelled Weas b\ the British): those liy the Wabash 
and Vermillion Rivers were calK'd Piankeshaws: those by the Eel 
River received this river's name: and those at the head of the Maumee 
retained the name Miamis which name also generally ap])lied to all the 
other bands when assembled, exce])ting for treaty when they desired to 
be designated separately that the presents and annuities might lie 
increased. .\s early as the \ ear KiM" the British called the Miamis 
Twightwighs, Twigtwies, etc. In 17'Jl those by or near the Maumee 
River numbered two thousand. t liancroft, in his History of the United 
States, mentions the Miamis as the most powerful confederacy in the 
West, and this was probably true during the closer alliance with the 
Illinois, Pottawotamis and perhaps other tribes. A French traveler in 
1718 writes of the Miamis at the head of the Maumee River as follows: 

The Miamis are sixty leagues from Lake Erie, and numl)er 400, all well formed 
men, and well tattooed : the women are numerous. They are hard working, and raise a 
species of Maize unlike that of our ,\borigines at Detroit. It is white, of the same size 
as the other, the skin much finer and the meal much whiter. This Nation is clad in deer 
skin, and when a married woman goes with another man, her husband cuts off her nose 
and does not see her any more. This is the only Nation that has such a custom. They 
love plays and dances, wherefore they have more occupation. The women are well 
clothed, but the men use scarcely any covering and are tattooed all over the body.+ 

The Miamis, like all other tribes, were very superstitious, exceed- 
ingly so when an active sorcerer was near. Caiitain Thomas Morris 
wrote in 1764 that they carried their god along the Maumee in a bag 
which was hung in front of their encampment, and was visited by none 
but the sorcerer; if any other person presumed to advance' between the 
front of the encampment and that spirit in the bag, he was put to 



*Ttie Jesuit Relations, Cleveland ed. vol. xliv, paye 247. New York Co/. Docs. vol. ix. paye >*9\. 
t l^ondon Document xxii. New York Colonial Documents volume v, paee 622. 
i Paris Document VII. New York Colonial Documents volume ix. page t<91. 



428 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



death — which is probably an t-xtrt-me statement. Their offerings of 
tobacco, made by ever_v individual each morning, were ranged in good 
order on long slips of bark on shore and on rocks in the river. 

The remnants of the Miami bands were mostly gathered around 
Fort Wayne and along the Wabash River and its tributaries after the 




Miami Ai)onyiiie Uescendams at Reserve, Indiana. 17th May. IVKH), interspersed with people of 
Caucasian blood : at the L'nveilinK of the Monument to the memory of Frances Slocum who was a Captive 
with the Aborigines nearly all her life.* These Miamis are distinguished as follows: Seated at the left, 
Mrs. William Peconaa, who cannot speak Knylish; the two old men with long hair William and Gabriel 
Godfroy ; the younger men and boys seated on the ground ; the two trirls and young woman between them 
seated on the ground, also the one in white in chair; and men numbered 2 and 18, standinji. 



War of 1>^1'2 ; and treaties after this date established numerous reserva- 
tions for them as described on previous pages. General Harrison, in a 
letter to the Secretary of War in March, 1814, after their later debauch- 
ment by the British during the War of 1H12, wrote that they were a 
poor, miserable, drunken set, diminishing every year. Becoming too 
lazy to hunt, they feel the advantage of their annuity ' . . It was 



See History of the Slocums of America, by Charles K. .Slocum. volumes i and i 



THE Ml AM IS RECEIVED PATERNAL CARE. 



429 



ini])<)ssil)lr tor tin- Aimriran Ciovciiimcnt to lulls imscnt llu- clandes- 
tine sail dI intoxicants to thfin as will as to tilt- otlur tribes. Thev 
frc(niiiitrcl till raiiidlx liiowint; towns witii their annuit\' money and 
would seek stronji drink. '\'\\>- Ciovernnunt endeavored to protect them 
in every wav ; l)ut it was imi>ossil>le. 1 1 was estimated tliat hilly five 




Companion View to that oji opposite paye. the Miami Aborigine Descendants beinu the man nnm- 
bered 20 who, with liis companions in opposite enciaving, was in working attire for the tmrpose of 
carina for tlie luindreds of horses of the visitors outside the views; the yoimy woman and lier son seated 
on tlie I'round wlio, vvitli the yotmg woman in white and their cousin in white in opposite view, are great 
grand-daughters of the Captive — the two in white being chosen to unveil tiie Monument, 



InuidrL'd diaths resulted anioni; the Miamis troin murders and accidents 
resulting; from the use ol into.xicatinj; drinks between the years 1813 
and lH3l).* The number of Miamis in \>^2'2 with Wea and Eel River 
bands, is given in the I'nited States report as fourteen hundred. 

The treaty of 1H40 provided for the removal to western reservation 
of all the Miamis excepting the families of Chief Richardville (Pe-she- 
wah ) living a few miles south of Fort Wayne, of Chiefs Godfrey and 



* See Count de Volney's V/ews of the United States. Pliiladelphia, IWM. page liVl 



430 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Meshingomesia, both living near the Mississinewa River, and the 
brothers of the last named who were permitted to live on their brothers' 
reservations. The removal of the others was not effected until 1846, 
and then it was necessary to send soldiers to gather them at Peru, 
Indiana, where about five hundred wretched creatures were put aboard 
canal boats and brought through Fort Wayne to Junction, Ohio, and 
thence by Miami and Erie Canal were taken to Cincinnati. During 
their stop in this city, awaiting a steamboat down the Ohio River, the 
scenes of their intoxication from liquors sold them by conscienceless 
grogdealers, were disgusting and painful to the beholders. 

In the year lHr)4 delegations of the Miamis remaining in Indiana 
and of those removed beyond the Mississippi, visited \\'ashington 
where another treaty was made in which the United States agreed to 
pay the Indiana Miamis $221,257.86 at the expiration of twenty-five 
years in lieu of the permanent annuity named in former treaty ; and to 
pay five per centum interest annually on this sum, instead of the former 
annuity, until the principal became due and was paid. At the date of 
this treaty, 1854, the Miamis remaining in Indiana numbered 302. At 
the date of the final payment of the $221,257.86 at Wabash in 1881, there 
were of all ages lUH to receive the money. They were then situated as 
follows: eighty dwelt on tlie Godfrey Reservation by the Mississinewa 
River a few miles above Peru; sixty on the Meshingomesia Reservation 
in Wabash and Grant Counties; fifteen at Lafayette: twenty in Hunt- 
ington County: thirty in the vicinity of Fort Wayne; one family at 
Napoleon, Henry County, Ohio; forty in Kansas and Indian Territory; 
and the others were scattered in the States of Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, 
and Minnesota. Fully one-half of the whole number were at this time 
minors. With this final payment by the United States, these Miamis 
assumed all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of citizenship. 
All tribal authority and relations ceased with this change. Before this 
date, 1881, their reservations had been free from taxation, encumbrance, 
and sale. These reservations were subdivided in the year 1873, and 
the head of each family was allotted a tract in size according to the 
number in his family. The farms of many of the Miamis remaining in 
Indiana were later mortgaged to secure debts contracted since they 
were given control, and some farms have been sold by the Sheriff to 
satisfy these debts. Intemperate use of intoxicating beverages have 
Tuined many. Want of energy and want of good management have 
characterized the most of them. They have clothed themselves in 
the current styles of citizens; and their children have attended the 
public schools to a limited extent. A few of the oldest people have 
not learned the English language. The members of the Godfroy and 
Richardville bands near Fort Wayne average little if any more thrifty 



EARLY HISTORY OF THE ABORIGINES UNCERTAIN. 431 

or woithv tlian tliosc luarii' tlu- ctntral parts ot liuliana: in (act those of 
the MeshiriKomesia band have lieen rated as the best types of the tribe 
in general. Over fifty treaties are recorded as having occurred between 
the United States and the Miainis between the years IT!!") and 1H54, 
most of wliich were ol minor significance. 

There is so much of uncertaint\- regarding the parentage of the 
early Aborigine sachems and chiefs, and so much confusion regarding 
those of the man\- bands as to their duties, powers, and the influence 
they exerted, that it is impossible to sift and gather from the great mass 
of conflicting writings even the modicum of truth they may contain. 
Brief mention of those Miamis who were more prominent, and of some 
of their possible characteristics, will give sufficient glimpses of them, 
and of their jieople in this connection, viz: Osandiah was the prin- 
cipal chief, possibh' from near tin- middle of the eighteenth century. 
He was invited to a conference with President Washington who gave 
him presents, including a writing on parchment to insure him a good 
reception if brought back at any time. These presents of more durable 
character were given to the Pottawatomis on account of the continued 
jealousy and ill-will manifi'sted by the Miami bands against the band 
that possessed them. A-taw-a-taw succeeded his father Osandiah ( ?) 
and he was succeeded in the chieftaincy by his son Met-o-sin-yah, as 
till legend runs, during whose time his band, that had been living at 
Pickawillany or old l'i(iua, returned to Indiana southwest of Fort 
Wayne. 

The great war chief .\tiue-nah-que (spelled Kequenackqua ante 
page 94) who flourished early in the eighteenth century, had a son 
called Little Turtle by the British and Americans, who was a leading 
war chief and for many years had considerable influence, which rapidly 
wani-d at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Little Turtle could 
not wear clothing at home of the style of Americans, or keep cows and 
other profitable domestic animals on account of the bigotry of his 
tribe, members of which would poison or otherwise kill them. He 
lamented the inebriety of his people and tried to curtail it, but without 
appreciable effect. Evidently he was a rare, good character among his 
kind.* Probably the influence of Captain William Wells, and the 
annuities of the United States, had much to do with his later docility. 

Jean Baptiste Richardville or Pe-she-wah was the Miami National 
Chief from the year 1812 until his death in 1841. He was a French 
half-breed and always lived with the Miamis. He was selfish, secretive 
and superstitious. He had six children. His son Joseph, Wah-pe- 
mun-wah the fighter, received some education in a Roman Catholic 



* Compare Count de Volney's opinion of Little Turtle, in his Views of the United States, paye ;i57 



432 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



school at Detroit, and gave some attention to playing the violin and 
tlutf. He early became intemperate in the use of intoxicating drinks 
and was generally considered worthless, which his father attributed to 
the schools of tin- white people and he therefore became more antago- 
nistic to them. His other children were John Baptiste or Shap-peen- 
e-mau and three daughters. All these children died previous to 1841 
excepting Catherine or Pe-con-go-quah, who married To-pe-ah or 
Francis LaForftaine a F"rench half-breed who succeeded her father in 
1H41 as National Chief, he being the last of such officers. 

Of tile village chiefs, Le Gros or Ma-che-ke-le-tah has been 
confounded with Le Gris or Na-goh-quan-gogh who signed the Treaty at 

Greenville in 1795 — see ante page 232. 
The present Lagro a station on the 
Wabash Railway southwest of Fort 
W'avne was named from him. He was 
amoHi; the number for whom the United 
States built brick dwellings, his being 
near the jncsent Lagro, Indiana, where 
he died in ls;il. Chief Little Turtle's 
brick house was b\- Eel River a little 
north of west from Fort Wayne ; and 
Chief Richardville's a few miles south of 
Fort W'ayne. The village chief Big Ma- 
jenica was a man of strong characteristics, 
and managed to have his way with all 
persons through their fear of him. Osash, 
a war chief, is described by Samuel 
M'Clure a trader with these people, as a 
mild-mannered man of small stature who 
wore a broad-brimmed hat, thus present- 
ing much the appearance of the Quakers 
who had a mission station by the Little 
River in 1804. He died about the year 
1830, when Frank Godfrey or Pol-oz-wah 
was chosen the village chief, which ofSce then became but a mere 
name. One of the more thoughtful of the Ottawas along the Maumee 
River gave the meaning 'mother' to the name Miami (Me-au-me). 
This was probably due to the tradition that the Miamis were formerly 
a numerous people which separated from time to time to form different 
tribes and bands. 

Menomonis. The Menomonis were called Les Mangeurs de Avoine or 
Oat Eaters by the French from their liberal use of the wild oats and rice 
growing in the Rice Lake region west of Lake Su]ierior. They were 




ME-SHK-CON-O-yUAH 
(Little Turtle) war cliief of tlie Miamis. 
He led the savaees at the defeats of 
Generals Harniar and St. Clair. Born 
about 1747 by the Eel River, Indiana, 
of a Miami father and a Mohican 
mother. He remained friendl.v to the 
.Americans after the Treaty of Green- 
ville in 179.i. Died July H. I»13. at 
Fort Wayne. 



THE ABORIGINE TRIBES OF THE MAUMEE REGION. 453 

imu li at war. 'I'Iun aidi il tin ['"ii-m h ajiainst the British and, later, 
aidi (1 tin IWitisli against the Americans. .Mtir the massacre of Colonel 
Dudli \ and iiian\ of his retfiment at the Sie)ii' of I'ort Mcit;s, warriors 
of this tril)e were ])r()niiiient in U astin^ on the Hesli ol their victims. 
( Sei' ante i>afie iiiil ). Their niinibir in iHiiL' was reported as 270 l)\' 
the Illinois Kiver and iillOO in Wisconsin. Their present number is 
less than two thousand, lar(,'il\ gathered on a reservation ni-ar Shawano, 
Wisconsin. 

Ottawas. Ottawa, Outaoiiack, and xarions other si)ellinj?s li\ tin- 
tarly French, signified the nation or trii)e with holes in the nose iii or 
suspended from which were worn as ornaments little stones or bright 
objects. They incurred the displeasure of the Five Nations (Irocjuois) 
and were driven by them from tlu' northern shore of Lake Michigan in 
l(i5t). Thev nu't tlu' op])osition ol the Dacotas in thi- u]iper Mississippi 
region and rrturnt'd to Mackinaw. Many of them wandered again into 
this liasin and aided Pontiac in his conspiracy against the British. 
.\fter his dettat in 17(54 they became more sedentary, and with the good 
ofifices of the French and Knglish were jiermitted by the Iroquois to 
remain along the Maunue and its tributaries. Their number here in 
IHOB has bien written as eight thousand,* which is probably far too 
high an estimate. Their i)rnuii)al village l)y the lower Maumee w'as at 
one time on the rii;ht bank near Maumt-e Bay. Tradition states that 
this village existed from the days of Pontiac, and that one of his sons 
was head chief. Also, that Pontiac's widow ( ?) called Kan-tuck-e-gun. 
and his son Otussa, dwelt in this village in iHOtj. Peter Navarre was 
authority for much of this information and he stated that Otussa was a 
man of good sense, free from the vices of many of his neighl)ors. 
Mesh-ke-mau, chief of a village on the left bank of the Maumee near 
its mouth, had tlie reputation of being the liest orator of the Ottawas 
as he was foremost on all i)ul)lic occasions (see ante page iila). 
.According to legend he was a. nepliew of Pontiac. A-be-e-w'ah a young 
chief w'on the highest regard of Peter Navarre who thought he was the 
most talented of his trilie. He died about the year 1810, presumably 
poisoned as was often asserted by the superstitious Aborigines about 
sudden deaths. 

Once a year these Ottawas had a feast and something of an appar- 
ent sacrifice, with some ceremonies including the burning of food they 
could not eat. .\ few days before this feast they would blacken their 
faces and eat only in the afternoon. They all assembled and built a 
long, low, rude^hant> in which the main feast occurred. This feast 
was attended by much of irregular and meaningless talk and gestures 



•Hosmers Early History of the Maumee Valley. 



434 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

which were dignified by Hosmer with the name religious ceremony. In 
common with all tribes, feasting, or rather gluttonv, was of common 
occurrence when food was plentiful and their much abused stomachs 
would admit of it. The\- were jiassionatelv fond of gaudy attire and 
ornaments, and much of the money received from the Government and 
from the sale of ]:)eltries was expended in this wav : also much was 
expended for si^irituous liquors. Dancing was common in the early stage 
of their feasts, and was varied somewhat according to the occasion. 
Their Ki-ah-wah dance indicated their desire or expectation of war, and 
was much practiced during the incitements of the Prophet and his 
brother Tecumseh and the visits of the British in l!-<10 and 1811, pre- 
paratorv to the War of ]h\-2. The Ottawas were induced to join the 
British and, in common with the other tribes thus seduced, they were 
greatlv reduced in number during the War of \X\'2. The United States 
report (or 1H22 places their number as one hundred and seven bv the 
Auglaise River: forty-five north of Wapakoneta : sixtv-four twelve miles 
west of Fort Defiance': fift\-six at Roche de Bout: one hundred and fifty 
not stationar\ about Maumee Ba\ : '2><7ii along the east shore of Lake 
Michigan in eli\en villages ; and a number with the Chippewas south 
of Lake Superior. Those who returned to the Maumee and its tribu- 
taries, and were here in Is'',;;, were removed to Kansas according to 
treatv (see ante page 414). Ol those' who remained in Michigan, some 
were removed to Kansas from Grand Traverse Bay in JMijfi, and the 
descendants of others remain with the Chippewas. For mention of 
prominent Ottawas see index reference to Pontiac, Charloe, Peter 
Manor, Occonoxee, and the various treaties. 

Pottawotamis. The name of this tribe was also variously spelled 
bv the French who also alibreviated it to Poux. They were also com- 
batted by the Five Nations, and they wandered much. They were in 
the region of Lake Michigan early in their historical period, but soon 
came southeastward. The United States report for 1h22 numbered 166 
as dwelling bv the Huron River, Michigan, and o400 scattered in 
villages around the southern shore of Lake Michigan and southeastward 
in Indiana. Thev wandered eastward again in Indiana and Michigan. 
Those in Hillsdale County, Michigan, and vicinity were removed in 
the year 1^40 to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and thence were transferred 
about the year 1H50 to a reservation thirty miles square by the Kansas 
River seventy-five miles west of its mouth. Here the Prairie band 
remain, the others having removed thence to the Indian Territory. In 
1H67 some of them accepted the terms of the United States Govern- 
ment, became citizens, and received patents for the land where they live. 

Metea was frequenth' mentioned as their chief during the War of 
IWl'i, i)art of the time friendly to the United States. One writer. 



THE POTTAWOTAMI ABORIGINES. 



455 



wilhmit uivin-i liis autlioiJtx , mentions tlif hicjikin}; of Metoa's arm l)y 
a sliot fiK d l)v Major Mann when his trihi- and others attempted an 
aml)uscacle ot American trooiis five miles southeast of Fort Wavne 
wliiK- on their way to succor the hesiened I'Drt, and that the fractured 
bones (lid not unitt- thus leaving his arm useless. The chief villa^^es 
of the I'otlawotamis during Metea's time were on the north hank of 
Cedar Creek in Allen County, Indiana, and on the north (right) bank 
of the Ki\er St. Joseph about seven miles north of Fort Wayne. 
Metea had the usual reputation of the savages as being a good orator 
and warrior. He was a jirominent speaker at the Chicago Council in 
1H21.* One writing jjortrays him as 'brave, generous, and intelligent.' 
In June, 1825, he was mentioned as a 'worthless drunken Pottawotami' 
by Major Long of the United States Army who, with his escort, was 
Sent li\ the Government to ascertain the condition of the Aborigines, 
antl "enteri'd the Aborigine country in the neighborhood of Fort Wayne 
about tile last ol Mav.'t Metfa died in 1H27 at Fort Wayne. 





.Ml. II. 
A Poilawotaini Chief. 
Kort Wiivne. 



Uifd abom 1H27 ai 



SH.ABONEE or CHAMULEE 
A Pottawotami Chief. Born near the Mauiiiee 
River about 1775. 



Shabonee or Chamblee w'as presumably born in Ohio by the 
Maumee River, about the year 1775 of an Ottawa father. The late 
Gurdon S. Hubbard of Chicago said of him; He was, I thought, the 
best looking man I had ever seen. He was fully six feet in height. 



* This speech is printed in Samuel G. Drake's The Aboriginal Races of North America pages «."}.'>. 636. 

t See Report of Major Lony's Expedition; also the North American Review for January. IH26, No. 
r)0, for very interestiniz ' Remarks on the Condition, Character, and Lanynayes of the North .American 
.Aborigines, including criticisms of the book of John D. Hunter of 183.3,and book of John Halkett of 1825," 



436 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

well jiroiiortioned, and with a countenance expressive of intelligence, 
tiimness and kindness. He was one of Tecumseh's aids at the Battle 
of the Thames, being at his side when Tecumseh was shot. Becoming 
disgusted with the conduct of Proctor, he, with Billy Caldwell the 
Sauganash, withdrew their support from the British and espoused the 
cause of the Americans.'* 

Winnemac or Wennemeg the Catfish is mentioned on preceding 
pages (see index). The name of the later head chief Baw Beese is 
perpetuated in the name of the lake adjoining the City of Hillsdale, 
Michigan. A reputed half-brother Bawbee was a subchief. The last 
principal chief of the Prairie Pottawotamis was Waubanse or Wauponsi. 

Shawnees. The name of this tribe was formerly written Chaou- 
anons, etc., b\ the French, and Shawonese, etc., by the British and 
Americans. Thev were among the greatest wanderers. Many of their 
wanderings in historic times even, are obscure to the historian. In the 
vear 1724 they came from Pennsylvania into Ohio : and probably they 
had ranged through this region before. t I h> Kickapoos were an off- 
shoot from this tribe. 

Ol tluir chiefs, the name of W'apakoneta is perpetuated in the 
name ot the \illage embracing the present seat of Government of 
Auglaise County, Ohio, which region was the headquarters of the 
Shawnees from about the year 17^2. The name of chief Pu-she-ta 
is also per])etuated as the name of a township and creek in this county. 
Black Hoof or Cot-a-he-cah-sa was present at the defeat of Colonel 
Braddock's army in 1755, and in all the wars in Ohio subsequently until 
the treaty at Greenville in 1795. ' His cunning, sagacity and experi- 
ence were onl\ eciualled by the fierce and desi)erate bravery with which 
he carried into ojieration his military plans.' . . He was formerly a 
great orator among his people. Colonel John Johnston described him 
as the most graceful Aborigine he ever saw. He was small in stature, 
not over five feet and eight inches, and of cheerful disposition. He 
died at Wajiakoneta in the year 1H31 at the supposed age of one hun- 
dred and ten years. His funeral was largely attended by the Shawnees 
who, with disheveled hair and clothing, marched in solemn procession 
(in which neither child nor dog was permitted) to the shallow grave. 
The bottom of the grave was covered with i)uncheons, the body placed 
thereon clad in the clothing worn in health, and a puncheon placed on 
it. Some seeds were then scattered around by one man, and then in 
single file thev returned to the wigwam, leaving three persons to throw 



* See The American Aborigine. l>y Klijali M. Haiiie^^. vaue rt9\. It was the habit of the savayes to 
get away quick when the tide of battle turned against them, as they did when Tecumseh was shot; and 
they turned to the sympathy of the Americans from necessity as usual in other cases. 

t See The Shawnees in Pre-Columbian Timeshy Cyrus Thomas Svo 88 pages, Washington, 1891. 



THE SHAWNEES AND CHIEF BLUE JACKET. 457 

a litlk- liirl 1>\- tlu' sicKs ol the remains. A toast was thtn i)artakcn ol, 
consisting of only wild animal nuals and briad twiiitv dcrr, a number 
of tiirkfvs, and some smaller animals all i)laced in one pile from 
which each iierson jiartook at will. ' It was a most quiet and orderly 
funeral.'* 

The index to this volume refers to mentions of Captain Anthony 
Shane (Chesne) a halfhreed F"rench-Shawnee who did much harm to 
Americans |)revious to the Treaty ot ITM.'i. and much yood to them suli- 
sequently : also to Tecumseh and "the I'rojihet': to Ca])tain John 
Logan or Si)emicah Lawbah a annd triind to the Americans, who was 
born by the Mad River, Ohio, about the \r:\v ITHH. 

The great War-Chief Hlue jacket or VV'ay-a-pier-sen-wah assisted 
Little Turtle of the Miamis against Generals Harmar and St. Clair's 
armies, and led the combined savages against General Wayne's army 
in the Battle of Fallen Timber. The .\merican ca])tive Oliver M. 
Spencer, w-ith his captor's mother, visited Chief Blue Jacket, 21st Julv, 
1792, at his village on the north bank ot the Maumee one mile and a 
quarter below the Court House of the present City of Defiance-, Ohio. 
He afterward wrote of his visit, and of the noted Chief and his visitors, 
as follows : 

We were kindly received l)y Waw-paw-waw-quaw [liis captor) wliose wife, a very 
pleasant and rattier pretty woman of twenty-five, according to custom set before us 
some refrestiment consisting of dried green corn Ijoiled witti l^eans and dried pumpi<ins 
mailing, as I ttiougtit, a very excettent disti. After spending a few liours witli this family, 
we went to pay our respects to ttie village cliief, tlie celebrated Blue J.acket. Ttiis chief 
was the most noble in appearance of any Aborigine 1 ever saw. His person, about six 
feet high, was finely proportioned, stout and muscular ; his eyes large, bright and 
piercing ; his forehead high and Inroad ; his nose aquiline ; his mouth rather wide ; his 
countenance open and intelligent, expressive of firmness and decision. He was con- 
sidered one of the most brave and accomplished of the .\borigine chiefs, second only 
to Little Turtle and Buck-on-ge-ha-la, having signalized himself on many occasions, 
particularly in the defeats of Colonel Hardin and General St. Clair. He held (I was 
told) the commission, and received the half pay, of a brigadier general from the British 
crown [see ante page 2;i.S]. On this day, while receiving a visit from the Snake, chief of 
a neighboring Shawnee village, and from Simon Girty, he was dressed in a scarlet frock 
coat, richly laced with gold and confined around his waist with a parti-colored sash, and 
in red leggings and moccasins ornamented in the highest style of Aborigine fashion. On 
his shoulders he wore a pair of gold epaulettes and on his arms l)road silver bracelets, 
while from his neck hung a massive silver gorget and a medallion of his majesty George 
HI. Around his lodge were hung rifles, war clubs, tiows and arrows, and other imple- 
ments of war ; while the skins of deer, bear, panther, and otter, spoils of the chase, 
furnished pouches for tobacco, and mats for seats and beds. His wife was a remarkably 
fine looking woman. His daughters, much fairer than the generality of .\borigine 
women, were quite handsome ; and his two sons, about eighteen and twenty years old, 
educated by the British, were intelligent. 



'■■' Here again was seen the influence of the teachings of the Society of Friends. See History of the 
Shawnee Aborigines From the Year 1681 to 1854 Inclusive, by Henry Harvey, Cincinnati. 18.55. 



438 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

One of the visitors of Blue Jacket (the Snake) was a plain, grave chief of sage 
appearance. The other visitor was Simon Girty. Whether it was from prejudice 
associating with his look the fact that he was a renegade, the murderer of his own 
countrymen, racking his diabolic invention to inflict new and more excruciating tortures, 
or not, his dark shaggy hair ; his low forehead ; his brows contracted and meeting above 
his short flat nose ; his gray sunken eyes averting the ingenuous gaze ; his lips thin and 
compressed ; and the dark sinister expression of his countenance, to me seemed the very 
picture of a villian. He wore the Aborigine costume without ornament. His silk hand- 
kerchief supplied the place of hat, and hid an unsightly scar on his forehead.* 

Thf United States Census of Shawnees for 1822 gives five hundred 
and fifty-nine as dwelling at Wapakoneta : seventy-two at Hog Creek 
(now Ottawa River) ten miles north of Wapakoneta; and one hundred 
sixtv-nine at Lewiston. They were finally started in removal for their 
western reservation in September, 1832. David Robb, who had a long- 
time experience with this tribe and was one of the agents for their 
removal, wrote that intemperance prevailed among them: that they, in 
common with all the tribes, were firm believers in witchcraft — see ante 
page ;-59H. There were many delays in their starting on their long 
journev. He continues: 

.\fter we had rendezvoused preparatory to moving, we were detained several 
weeks waiting until they had got over their tedious round of religious [?] ceremonies, 
some of which were public and others kept private from us. One of their first acts was 
to take away the fencing from the graves of their fathers, level them to the surrounding 
surface, and cover them so neatly with green sod, that not a trace of the graves could be 
seen. Subsequently a few of the chiefs and others visited their friends at a distance, 
gave and received presents from chiefs of other nations at their headquarters. Among 
the ceremonies above alluded to was a dance in which none participated but the warriors. 
They threw off all their clothing but their breechclouts, painted their faces and naked 
bodies in a fantastical manner, covering them with the pictures of shakes and disagreeable 
insects and animals, and then, armed with war clubs, commenced dancing, yelling and 
frightfully distorting their countenances. The scene was truly terrifying. This was 
followed by the dance they usually have on returning from a victorious battle, in which 
both sexes participated. It was a pleasing contrast to the other, was performed in the 
night in a ring around a large fire. In this they sang and marched, males and females 
promiscuously in single file around the blaze. The leader of the band commenced singing 
while all the rest were silent until he had sung a certain number of words, then the next 
in the row commenced with the same and the leader began with a new set. and so on to 
the end of their chanting when all were singing at once but no two with the same words. 
I was told that part of the words they used were hallelujah. It was pleasing to witness 
the native modesty and graceful movements of those young females in this dance. 

When their ceremonies were over they informed us they were ready to leave. They 
then mounted their horses, and such as went in wagons seated themselves, and set out 
with their 'high priest' in front, bearing on his shoulders 'the ark of the covenant' which 
consisted of a large gourd and the bones of a deer's leg tied to its neck. Just previous 
to starting the priest gave a blast of his trumpet, then moved slowly and solemnly while 



"This scar was the result of a stroke from Captain Joseph Brant's sword as reply to an insult from 
Girty while intoxicated. See .American Captives amont: the .Aborigines of Ohio. Reprint with Notes by 
Charles E. Slocum. 



THE STRONGEST OF THE EARLY CONFEDERACIES. 439 

the others followed in like manner until they were ordered to halt in the evening and 
cook supper. The same course was observed through the whole journey. When they 
arrived near St. Louis, they lost some of their number by cholera. The Shawnees who 
emigrated numbered about "(HI. and the Senecas [including members of some of the 
other tribes of the Six Nations, accompanying] about .'!.")(). .^mong them was also a 
detachment of Ottawas which was conducted by Captain fjohn] Hollister from the 
Maumee country.* 

Some of tlu-ir dtscendants are now in thi' (_)ua])aw .X^ency in the 
Indian Territory, wearing the dress of citizens and are comfortably 
housed. 

Thk. IkiK.nois LiNciisiif Stock. 

The Iro(|uois tribes which ranged most through this Basin weri' the 
Eries and Xeutrals, thi- Six Nations, Wyandots, and Cherokees. 

7776 Eries and Neutrals. Some of the earliest maps of the Lake 
Eric region from that of Champlain (see ante page 7ii) designate cer- 
tain regions as then inhabited by certain tribes or 'nations' as La 
Nation Neutre south of Lake Erie, and again west of Lake Ontario : 
and the Eries or Nation du Chat.'^ There is but little authentic record 
of the Neutrals ( located between the Five Nations in New York and the 
Wyandots of Ontario, Canada, also south of Lake Erie) but it is ]>re- 
sumed that they were allied to the Cat or Erie tribe if not identical with 
it. They disappeared about the same time. The Jesuit missionaries 
visited the Eries in the year 16"26, and they were then called a neutral 
nation. Charlevoix refers to the Eries as somewhat inclined to till the 
land, as brave and skillful in battle, and that they fought with poisoned 
arrows. Their number is recorded as twelve thousand, four thousand 
of whom were warriors. Also that they had twenty-eight villages, and 
twelve forts. We could readilv suppose that the prehistoric circular 
and semi-circular earthworks along the south side of Lake Erie, by the 
Maumee, and in northeastern Indiana (see ante pages 62, 63) were the 
foundations of their fortifications. The Five Nations completed the 
destruction of the Erie tribe about 16o5-r)(), by slaughter, by captivity 
and adoption, and by dispersion of the others to be absorbed by other 
tribes. Their name is perpetuated by Lake Erie, and in the name of 
counties, and of towns. 

Five Nations is the name given by the English, lro(|uoys, Hiroquois, 
Irocois, etc., the name forms given by the French, and Maquas the 
name given by the Hollanders, to the strongest body of the Aborigines 
in this latitude during the early history of this region. The date of 
origin of the confederation of the Five Nations is obscure. The names 
of the tribes, or 'nations' which composed this confederacy are the 



* Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio Centennial Edition, volume i pace 599. 

t This tribe was called the Cat Nation from their much wearing of the skins of wild cats. 



440 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, and Seneca, all of which names 
are perpetuated in lake, river, county, township, or village, one or all, 
in the interior of the State of New York which was their princijial head- 
quarters, and elsewhere. About the year 1715 the Tuscarora tribe 
came from Virginia into the confederation, after which it often received 
the appellation of Six Nations; but as little was heard, however, of the 
Tuscarora tribe afterward as before. The names of the different Six 
Nations or tribes are of Aborigine origin excepting that of Seneca. 
This Roman ])ro]ier name is su])])osed to have here originated with and 
been a])]ilied by the Hollanders about the year 1614, from the great 
love of these Aliorigines for cinnabar ' Vermillion) as a war paint. 
This, like the average long word, was varioush' spelled, as sinnekars, 
and Senecas.* The Lenapes ( Delawares ) called the Senecas Mengwee, 
which nami' became Mingoes to the Pennsylvanians, particularly for 
those Senecas who came to Ohio between them and the Muskingum 
River and later came to northwestern Ohio. The Senecas were the 
most numerous of the tribes composing the Six Nations. 

The Six Nations claimed, bv right of conquest, a great extent of 
country surrounding Lakes Ontario, Erie, and St. Clair, and to the 
southwest. It was to their valor and success in battle, and to their 
fiendish ingenuity in mutilating their captured enemies alive and dead, 
that key)t the southern and western shore of Lake Erie comparatively 
free from other tribes, even for a long time after the coming of the French. 
The prehistoric circular earthworks shown on map ante page 54, were 
probably built or occupied by them in their continued wars with the 
Miamis, Illinois, and other tribes that were driven from this region to 
the west and southwest. + These tribes, excepting possibly the Senecas, 
were not so vivacious as some of the northwestern tribes. Captain 
Thomas Morris who passed along the Maumee River in the year 1764 
after having been some length of time commandant of F^ort Hendrick 
in the Mohawk River X'alley, wrote that it is certain that a reserved 
Englishman differs not more from a lively Frenchman than does a stern 
Mohawk from a laughing Chipi)ewa. For mention of some of the 
Iroquois chiefs see Index references. The United States Census for 
182:2 gives the numl^er of Mohawks by Honey Creek near Upper San- 
dusky, Ohio, as fifty-seven: of Senecas by Sandusky River at 348, and 
200 at Lewiston thirty-five miles northeast of Piqua, Ohio. 

Cherokees. written Chiracpiis h\- the French, came into or near this 
liasin to dwell in historic times onlv in small bands.'' Some of their 



^ In the oldest map of New York published in Amsterdam, Holland, this word is written Senne- 
caas. Compare The Aboriginal Tribes of the United States by Francis S. Drake. Philadelphia, 
vol. ii page 291. 

t See the Jesuit Relations, Cleveland edition, and Pai kman's La Salle and the Great West. 
* The Cherokees in Pre-Columbian Times 12nio97 payes, New \'ork. lH9(t. by Cyrns Thomas. 



TRIBES OF THE IROQUOIS LINGUISTIC STOCK. 441 

warriors ajfainst tin I'liitid Slati s .\nii\ rcniaiiucl mar th<- headvvaturs 
of the Au^laisi- and Scioto until attir the Tnaty at GrnnvilK' in 1795 
when, promptid l>v Cnnt-ral Wayne, tin y lound it to thiir interest to 
return to their tribi- in South Carolina see ante pa^je 2i{i). 

Wyandots, Oiundats and VVendats, generic name of the Hurons by 
tliL I'rench, were once numerous, and strong in war. They were prob- 
able descindants of tlu- Five Nations and, in common with other 
seiiarated tribes, thiy were hunted and decimated by that powerful 
confederacy, bein^ driven by them trom the N'ailey ol the St. Lawrence 
River in l(i4U. Their French name, Huron, is perpetuated in many 
places other than in Lake Iluron, by the shores of which Samuel de 
Champlain met them in Ifil."). 'I'he region of their last home in Ohio 
was given tin- nanu Wyandot County at its organization 3rd February, 
l^b" : and the name is also perpetuated in towns. 

Charles Dickens, the Eniilisli novelist, stoiiped over night at I'pper 
Sandusky when on his wa\ Ironi Cincinnati to Buffalo via Sandusky in 
IS42. In his American Notes he writes thus: 

It is a settlement of the \\ yainlot .\boriKines who inhabit this place. Amon^ the 
company at breakfast was a mild okl gentleman [Colonel John Johnston] who had been 
for many years employed by the United States Govertnent in conducting negotiations 
with the .\borigines, and who had jnst concluded a treaty with these people by which 
they bound themselves, in consideration of a certain annual sum, to remove next year to 
some land provided for them west of the Mississippi. He gave me a moving account of 
their strong attachment to the familiar scenes of their infancy, and in particular to the 
burial-places of their kindred ; and of their great reluctance to leave them. He had 
witnessed many such removals and always with pain, though he knew that they departed 
for their own good. The question whether this tribe should go or stay, had been dis- 
cussed among them a day or two before in a hut erected for the purpose, the logs of 
which still lay upon the ground before the inn. When the speaking was done the ayes 
and noes were ranged on opposite sides, and every male adult voted in his turn. The 
moment the result was known, the minority (a large one) cheerfully yielded to the rest, 
and withdrew all kind of opposition. 

We met some of these poor Aborigines afterwards, riding on shaggy ponies. Thev 
were so like the meaner sort of gypsies, that if I could have seen any of them in England 
I should have concluded, as a matter of course, that they belonged to that wandering and 
restless people.* 

In .Aborigine villages the Legislature, with a very good and wise intention, forbids 
the sale of spirits by tavern-keepers. The precaution, however, is quite inefficacious, 
for the .\borigines never fail to procure liquor of a worse kind, at a dearer price, from 
traveling pedlers. 

The United States Census for 18'22 gives the number of Wvandots 
as follows: In Ohio, at Upper Sandusky 364; by Mad River 44: Fort 
I^'indlav 37: bv the Miami River 97. In Michigan 37 by Huron River. 



*Count de Volney in 1796 compared the western Aborigines to the Gypsies of France in appear- 
ance; but the former were far more drunken and bloodthirsty - A View of the United States of America 
pak'e '^i et seQ. 



442 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

In July, 1843, the Wyandots were started for their Kansas reser- 
vation, about seven hundred in number, with the old, the youth, the 
children, ponies and dogs, in motley jirocession to Dayton whence they 
were transported by Miami and Erie Canal to Cincinnati, and thence by 
steamboat to near their destination. This tribe was the last of their 
kind to rantfe along the Maumee and its tributaries as along the 
Sandusky River. Their de^iarture left Ohio practically, and finall\ , free 
from such ]ieople. 

The subjugation of the savages had been accomplished only after 
a long, bloody struggle, which had been greatly prolonged and made 
far more expensive in life, in effort, and in money by the ]iernicious 
influence of the British. Throughout this struggle the I'nited States 
Government acted an honoral)le part. It was continuously lenient, 
forbearing, kind, and liberal to a fault ; and it should not be held 
responsible, even hv indirect implication, for the acts of individuals 
who sought to be avenged on the savages in kind, or for the acts of 
those law-breakers who clandestinely sold them the intoxicating 
beverages which caused so much of the trouble. 

The savages had no right to this territory. Savage people have no' 
right to occupy lands anywhere to the exclusion of civilization. Great 
Britain's right to this territory was not questioned by civilized nations 
after her conquest of the French in 1760: nor had any nation right to 
question the claim of the United States to it after the Treaty of Paris 
which closed the Revolutionary War. Notwithstanding this, and the 
conquest of the savages with the British over and again — for the 
purpose of creating a fund to establish these Aborigines as farmers on 
smaller, yet sufficient, tracts of land the United States prescribed and 
enforced the formula of buying all of this territory, parts of it repeat- 
edly, from each tribe and band, in recognition of a felt duty to continue 
the efforts for civilizing these people. Probably the task would have 
been quicker and better done hv more stringent measures. "^ 



"* The descendants of the Aborigines in the United States have latterly been increasing in number ; 
also making more general advancement in education and civilization. It has been reported of some of 
the tribes that they average the wealthiest of people through the continued supervision and paternal 
care of the United States. 



A^e-r-Al_ T^^AHAnn vy I -TH T> I V a_ 




JS T e A/l T^ffoctjA/ MAr^ol.£- 



CHARACTERISTICS AND USES OF THE RIVERS. 443 



CIIAI'TI'.K' Xlll. 

Thk Present Drainage Svsiem '1'iik Nine Ri\eks and Theik 

Tkiiu'iakies. 

Vhv draina^t' systim dI tliis Basin is peculiar in arrangement as 
the result of the angular or somewhat crescentic form of the glacial 
moraines and of thi' beaches of the glacial lakes and bays as described 
in Chapter II, and in the chapters on the jirincipal streams - see also 
the Map of Moraines ante page 2H. The system is comjiosed of nine 
rivers, viz; The Maumef, St. Joseph, St. Mary, Auglaise, Little 
.\uglaise, Blanchard, Ottawa of the Auglaise, Ottawa of Maumee Bay, 
and tin- Tiffin. There are. also, several important creeks tributary to 
tiiese rivers which will be named in their respective order when de- 
scribing the rivers into which they empty their waters. 

The wati'r of thesi- rivers is seldom clear, excejit at the more sand\ 
and gravell\- sources. Likt- all streams trowing through fertile soil the 
waters contain, largel\ in suspension, more or less of the constituents 
of their beds and shores, and the color of the water is varii^d thereby. 
In wet seasons the turbidity is very cons])iruous, while in low stages 
of water with slower currents and through sedimentation the water 
becomes comiiaratively clear. .Mthougli the bed of many of the 
streams is eroded and corraded in i)art to and into the nati\i- limestone, 
tlu water is not so 'hard' or the percentage of lime and other earth 
ingredients is not so great as in the water of the wells near-by, even of 
those that do not extend into the rock: and tlu- ri\-er waters when free 
from direct organic pollution, and are well filtered, afford |ileasanter 
and safer potable water than is obtained from wells. 

In these days ol -numerous railroads which afford rajjid and eas\ 
means of travel, it is difficult to realize the importance of these rivers 
as highways of travel and transportation to the Aborigines, and to the 
pioneer Europeans. It has been estimated* that at least nineteen- 
twentieths of all movement from place to place in earlv times was bv 
way of the water courses. The proportion was even greater in this 
heavily forested level Basin, most of which was earlv given the name 
Black Swamp. The river regions were the first entered and ex])lored 
by Europeans, and the larger streams w'ere ranged along for a ])eriod 
of over one hundred and fifty years before the more inland regions 
were well explored. The Maumee and Auglaise were the jirincipal 
thoroughfares, while the St. Mary, St. Joseph and Tiffin ranked next 
in importance in the order named. Trails were well worn along the 



* Narrative and Critical History of America, edited by Justin Winsor. volume i pate 5SM. 



444 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



river banks, whilf floats and canoes of various sizi-s and forms afforded 
means of transportation on their wati'rs. 

Many styles of ligliter craft lia\i' luni iist'd on tlie Maumee and its 
principal tributaries. Rafts, hastily made of dead timber held together 
by withes were often used b\' both Al)origines and Europeans in early 
times. Canoes, i^irogues, and liateaux, were the common forms of 




ABORTGINE WOMEN SPE.^RING FISH - - il-ioni Scliuolcrall 



floats. There were but few keel boats made. Light bateaux, flat of 
bottom and slightly curving upward and narrowing toward the ends, 
were the best of the larger boats for general use liy Europeans, partic- 
ularly in the lower stages of water; while in higher waters and for 
heavier and military freight, larger flat boats were made. Bark canoes 
were in use by the Aborigines when first visited by Europeans : and 
some of them were fair appearing and servicealile craft although made 
by means of stone and lione implements, and fire. Metal tools, 
brought by the Europeans, gave great impetus to the ingenuity and 
ability of a few ol the Aborigines, and added much to the shapeliness 
and serviceableness of their river craft. Cadwallader Golden, 
British Surveyor General of the Province of New York, in a Memoir 
on the Fur Trade 10th November, 1724, wrote;" 



' London Document XXIII, New York Colonial Documents volume v, panes 736, 727. 



THE WATER-CRAFT OF EARLY TIMES. 



445 



The method of carrying goods upon the Rivers of North America into all the 
small Branches [tributaries] and overland from the Branches [tributaries or headwaters] 
of one Kiver to the Branches [headwaters] of another was learned from the Aborigines 
and is the only method practicable through such large Forests and Deserts [unsettled 
coiintrv] as the Traders pass through in carrying from one Nation to the other. It is 
this. The Aborigines make a long narrow Boat made of the bark of the [white] Birch 
Tree, the parts of which they join very neatly. One of these Canoes that can carry a 
dozen inen. can itself be easily carried upon two mens shoulders, so that when they have 
gone as far by water as they can which is further than is easily imagined because their 
loaded Canoes don't sink six inches into the water, they unload their canoes. & carry 
both goods and Canoes upon their Shoulders over land into the nearest branch | tributary] 
of the Kiver they intend to follow. 

n , ,,• t -( --1 A ,,• U, ^ A M O E. 




;r5^^"~J^-- " 



Thf Fft.-nch wire good boat Iniilders: and thf uarly ISritish wt-rc 
uiiLXcelled in boat making and b(5at using. But littlu birch grew in 
this Basin, ami that littK- was red iiirch the bail< ol wiiirh is not so 
well adai)ti-d to canoe making. The larger canoes made ot wliite birch 
bark came from tin- north and northeast. Kim bark, in thick large 
sheets was easil\' obtained I'verywhere and was emploved for heavier 
craft: also hickor\- bark. Canoes of bark were not much used here 
after the War of 1H12. The readini-ss with which canoes could be 
made from these barks is illustrated in the account ol the Journey of a 
Visit to the Aborigines (Wyandots of l'])i)er Sandusk\-, Ohio, in 1799) 
by P'riends COuakers) of Maryland and Pennsvlvania, viz; 

We found this stream [Killbuck ("reek in northern Ohio] fortv-live vards 
wide and tw-elve feet deep. On ascertaining this our guide [a Delaware .\borigine of 
the Moravian band] turned his horse loose to feed and all the rest of us did the same, 
expecting to remain there until the next day. He however went off. as he informed us, 
to build a canoe. Being desirous to acquaint myself with their manner of constructing 
these boats, 1 accompanied him. .\fter searching some time he found a tree which he 
supposed would answer his purpose, and having first cut the bark round near the ground. 
he then prepared two wooden forks with lateral prongs from the bottom to the top of 
them, which served as steps upon which he could rest his feet. These he placed against 
the tree and then walked up them, and cut the bark round the tree about eighteen feet 
higher. He then, after splitting the bark froin the top to the bottom, peeled it off. He 
next shaved off the rough outside of the bark at both ends and, after making the proper 
holes at suitable places, he drew up the ends into a bou and stern with hickory bark 
ropes, which completed his work so that we returned down the river with a boat that was 
capable of carrying three persons. We immediately embarked, transporting ourselves 
and baggage over the stream, and swam our horses through it having been detained 
here only about three hours.* 



'•'Friends' Miscellany October. 1835, volume vii, .\o. 7 paye 316. 



446 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Piro^'UL-s were named b\- the French and their manutacture was 
l)rohabl\- introduced here by them. They were called dugouts bv the 
British and the Americans on account of the smaller ones being 
liollowt'd and shaped from one log. This form of boat, or float, was at 
first made from old hollow logs s])lit through the middle and the ends 
bhukrcl. The Aborigines possibly first hollowed and shaped the logs 
by hre controlled by wet clay. Pirogues were better than bark canoes 
to withstand the rapids and the rocks. They were often made of large 
size, sixty to seventy feet in length, five feet in width, and with carrying 
capacity to five or more tons. The larger ones were generally made 
from two logs hollowed, matched and pinned together, thus securing 

PI R O a U £1 




greater width, stability and tonnage. These were known as slap- 
togethers. In earl\- times as many as forty packs of peltries, each 
about one hundred pounds weight, and later one hundred and seventy- 
five bushels of corn or wheat, were comfortably carried in good stage 
of water by the larger pirogues, each managed by three or four men. 
The last of the pirogues at Defiance were of the smaller class. They 
became too much decayed in 1873 for further use, and were from this 
date wholly succeeded by boats of modern build. Three recently 
disabled pirogues were seen, however, by the writer high on the banks 
of the Auglaise River in Perry Townshi]), Putnam County in May, 1902, 
the last of their class in this Basin. After the building of sawing mills, 
from the vear 1H21 to 1H40, flat boats became more common, and 
convenient. F"ifteen to twenty miles a day was the distance generally 
traveled against the current by boatmen when the water was at favor- 
able height. Going with the current the distance could be made 
several multiples of twenty. Against the current, poles, paddles, and 
towing lines were the means of propulsion, though in the shallower 
])laces, stepping into the water and lifting and pushing the boat over 
the rocks bv hand was often necessary. A puncheon, or later a sawn 
plank, was attached to each side of the larger boats above the water 
and from end to end, on which a man walked and pushed after standing 
his pole on the l)ottom of the river from the bow. The boating of 
freight was often heavy work : but it was generally far easier than 
carrying, or hauling bv team during much of the year. Most of the 
larger styles of boats, for man isower, declined from the year lH-13, 
being largely superseded along the Maumee and Auglaise Rivers by the 
Miami and Erie and Wabash and Erie Canals : but for several vears 



THE RIVERS FOR THOROFARES. FOOD AND HEALTH. 441 

thereafter kT'I'i and timl)er wer^' taken clown the streams during hiyh 
water. For account ol larger and later boats, see next Chai)ter. 

These rivers were of great service to the peojile who early came to 
tlu more central parts of this forest rc'gion to found homes. Their 
laniilies and goods were transjiorted tht-reon and so, later, were their 
products and supplies transported to and from their homes. These 
streams have been, also, very important sources of food supplies. 
During the earlier historic period they abounded in the various kinds of 
water lowl: and witii fish to the extent that the then numerous fish-eat- 
ing animals including birds were well sujjplied and, beside, great 
schools were at the easy catch (they being here more easily entrapped 
than those in larger waters) of the people along their courses, who at 
times largely subsisted on tin in. Nearly all of ttu- species of fish 
living in Lakt' Erie abounded in these rivers, they having free access 
from tile laki- even to the shallower waters near the sources of the 
several streams. Thi- fish multiplied in such numbers that parties from 
Cincinnati formed a com])any previous to the year 1H40 for the 
extraction ol then oil at Fort Wayne. The catching of the fish in 
sufficient (luantity for this jiurpose gave emjdoyment to many persons, 
including Aborigines, for several years.* Since the increase of popu- 
lation, howe\'er, the building of dams and mills, the pollution of the 
waters witii rt-fuse ol all kiiuls including that from pa]H-r mills, gas 
works, and prtinlruin wells, and the great increase in tlu' number of 
fishernun w Itli their more destructive methods, the sup])ly of fish and 
fowl have been materially lessened, even to the extinction of some 
species. t The Ohio State Board of Health has alreadv taken action 
for the prevention of river iiollution, and the Fish Commission has 
begun the work of restocking the streams with good species of 
food fish. 

The removal of the large and dense forest growths, the clearing, 
ditching, and underdraining of the lands, have wrought great change in 
these rivers. F'oUowing heavy or continued rains, and the rapid melt- 
ing of the deeper snows, the streams rise, and fall, with far greater 
rapidity than formerly, and generally declim- to a lower stage of water 
during the dryer seasons. Storage dams have been thought desirable: 
and they will undoubtedly be built : and the great water jiower thus 
feasible along these rivers will be utilized. 

Many of the beautiful shaded places along these rivers have of late 
years attracted a large number of persons who desire wholesome and 
inexpensive escape from the heat, noise, and dust, ot towns. Summer 



* Compare Wallace A. Biice's History 0/ Fort Wayne, pane 395. 

t See the .Author's Check-List of animals, includini! tish and birds, of the Maumee River Hasiu. 



448 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

hnusrs havf been built alon^' the lar^ft-r streams by clubs and families : 
and man\' jiarts are occupied by 'cami)ers' under restrictions by the 
landowners. Island and shore picnic grounds are frequented by lar^e 
numbers of excursionists. And the rivers are yet frequented by the 
larye number of people who love to ,i;o-a-iishinn — many driving; many 
miles across country to tlnir la\()rite i)laces, or to explore for better 
ones, some for one day's outiniL;, and others to remain for two or many 
davs. Thus, the tide of rest and jileasure seekers is turning more and 
more to these rivers. It is being recognized that they possess more 
attractive features, and are more enjoyable to the average family, than 
lakes. The erosions and corrasions of their lieds and banks are inter- 
esting alike to geologists and to the general students of natural history. 
Their smooth stretches afford the safest and the best of boating waters 
for the multitude, while their mort_ shallow and rapid places are sources 
of unfailing delight, i>articularly to ladies, children, and to the 

microscopist. 

The M.-vumek Rivkk. 

The Maumee is a young river in the view of geologic time. At the 
resting of the last glacier at the St. Joseph -St. Mary Moraine the 
Rivers St. Joseph and St. Mary were formed and, with the continued 
melting of the glacier, these rivers were increased in size and poured 
their waters southwest of the present City of Fort Wayne to and 
through the Wabash River. With the receding of the glacier by melt- 
ing, a lake, the Maumee Glacial Lake, was formed between these 
^ moraines and the edge of the glacier. This lake latterly found new 
outlets southward, and northwestward and, subsiding, the Rivers St. 
Josei)h and St. Mary began to find outlet into this Lake. With this 
beginning, small and varying at first, the Maumee River had origin 
perhaps ten thousand or more years ago. Its length increased with 
the recession of the Glacial Lake, and until the present Lake Erie 

was established. 

The Maumee River, next to the Detroit River or Strait, is the 
largest tributary of Lake Erie: and by some i)ersons it is classed as the 
largest river in Ohio, the Ohio River being within the Kentucky State 
limits. The Maumee has origin within the City of Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, bv the union of the Rivers St. Joseph and St. Mary as at the 
early subsidence of the Maumee Glacial Lake. Its minimum volume 
at this point has been gaged at six thousand cubic feet per minute. 



y 



* Report of Major John M. Wilson of the Corps of Enijineers of the United States .4rmy. in 
United States Executive Document No. 56. 46th Congress 3rd Session, pages 13. 60. The Division of 
Hydrography of the U. S. Geological Survey, has since established several Water Gages in the 
Maumee. the last one at the The Sherwood Bridge in Delaware Township. Defiance County. Ohio, in 
May. 1903. The gage at the Waterville Bridge. Lucas County, for the year 1901 showed the maximum 
flow of the Maumee at that place at 27,6(XI second feet in March, and the mean flow for the year at 



DESCRIPTION OF THE MAUMEE RIVER. 



449 



It Hows in a tiLTiiial nortliLaslLily coursu tlnousl) tin.- middlu ot the 
Basin, hearing a littk' south of a direct line from which it wanders l)ut 
eit;ht miU's, and em])tiis into Maiimee f-Jay at the most westerly part of 
Lake Brie. The distance from its orijiin to its mouth in straight line is 
nnv liuiuired miles : hut liy way of its many windings the distance of 




IIKAU OF THK MAl'MEE RIVER 

Within the City of Fort Wayne. Indiana, at mediiiln staye of water. Looking north Jnne H. Uttt-J, 
iil> the River St. Joseph on the riitht and across the River St. Mary on the left, which unite to form the 
Maumee a few rods above the Columbia Street Bridge. The site of General Harmar's Ford is several 
squares below this bridge; the site of Fort Wayne is just to the left and back of this point of view. 

its flow is one-half, and more, greater. The first half of its course is 
by far the most tortuous, the flow often changing so that in the aggre- 
gate it is toward everv point of the compass, although its meander belt 
is relatively narrow. Throughout its course there is fall of one 
hundred and sixty-four feet, averaging less than one and one-tenth foot 
per mile. There are numerous sluggish stretches, with intervening 
rapids of varying lengths, from a few feet upwards. 

It is probable that the different tribes of Aborigines had no names 
for this and the other rivers of this Basin, or at most any name that was 



2,771.2 second feet. After three years and two months service this gage was abandoned in I9(>2 on 
account of the great diversion of water at Grand Rapids into the Miami and Erie Canal, and other 
difiiculties. Flood gages were placed late in 19CM at the Columbia Street Bridge in Fort Wayne, and the 
County Bridge at Napoleon. 



450 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



fic-ntTalh- recoKnizfd or remembert'd liffore thv comins' of the French.. 
The Shawnees of later days called the Maumee the Ottawa Sepe 
(Ottawa Sepon?) or Ottawa River, on account of some members of the 
Ottawa tribe having headquarters by its course. The Wyandot name 
Cogh-a-ren-du-te or Standing Rock River related to the French Roche 
de Bout in the lower rapids: their Was-o-hah-con-die also referred to 
the Maumee. The Mianiis who had headquarters along its upper 
waters left no name now authentically known to the writer. 

The F'rench e.xplorers on meeting the Miami Aborigines, jirevious 
to the year L()7t), understood from them the name of their tribe as 
Me-ah-me or Me-au-me which sounds they recorded in their language 
as Miami; and on account of this tribe having a village much 
of the time bv the upper waters of this river the French 
referred to it as the Riviere des Miamis, the River 
of the Miamis or where the Miamis li\ 
The rapid pronunciation cjt this 
three syllable word, Miami 
• led the Colonists 
who settl- 
,'d 




y 



vy 



in this 
_sa^,>-^ region after the 
War of IHl-i, to pro- 
nounce it in two syllables, as 
Maumee ; and so it has become fixed. 
The name was, also, occasionally written 
Omi and Omee which may have been a contraction 
of the French au Miami and aux Miamis, meaning to 
or at the Miami or Miamis. The name Miami was later applied 
to the two rivers in southwestern Ohio flowing into the Ohio River; 
and in writings of the latter part of the eighteenth and the first part 
of the nineteenth century the Maumee was styled the Miami of the 
Lake. Man\- of the early French also styled the Maumee the /?/v/ere de 
/a Roche or Rock River. This name was also applied to the Great 
Miami of the Ohio with like reason, the channels being eroded to the 
rock in parts of their course. 

The land that is more immediately drained by the Maumee River, 
that is the Maumee Valley proper, is not of great extent. The portion 
in Indiana has been com])uted at lol.oo square miles, and in Ohio at 



THE MAUMEE VALLEY DIFFERENTIATED. 



451 



I, ll):i. !)(■), nuikinji a total area of 1,25;)..")! si|uarc miles.* It receives 
only local additions from tfie south between its source and the entrance 
ol tlu' Au^iaise River at Defiance, a distance in straijifht line of forty- 
tivi miles, and hy the river's verv tortuous course more than doul)le 
this distance. The channel varies from three to five hundred feet in 
width and is iroded to the Corniferous Limestone at Antwerp, Ohio, 
and from aliout seven miles above Defiance downward. Here within 
a distance ol lour miles, extending; to the head of the State Dam Slack- 
water about three miles above the mouth of the Aufjlaise River, there 
are si'ven riffles, at irregular intervals, which formed obstructions to 




Looking nonlnve^l up llitr Mauniee River from the northeast corner of Section 39 Defiance Town- 
siiip, November 3, 19(12. In the middle distance is seen the Second Stone Dam of granite boulders, four 
miles above Defiance. On the rieht is a model brick farmhouse, and farm. 

shiptimlier rafts and heavy boats durini; the lower stages of water. 
To obviate this the raftsmen gathered the glacial boulders of thi- chan- 
nel into rude dams leaving chutes through which they directed their 
rafts. Locallv these places became known as stone dams. 

The flood plains are of limited extent and generallv incline to 
about twelve feet above low water mark. The original banks are 
separated from one-sixth mile to one mile, the interval between the 



* Second Report of an Investigation of the Rivers of Ohio as Sources of Public Water Supplies, 
bv the Ohio State Hoard of Health, Columbus. 1900, page 127. 



452 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



present channel and the outer bank bein^' j^enc rally far greater to the 
left than to the ri^dit. The outer banks generally rise from thirty to 
fifty feet above the Hood plains, and often but little above the present 
concave bank i bank being eroded ) which is first on one side and then 
on the other. At Bull Rajiids in Maumee Township, Allen County, 
Indiana, the channel is ;-3()0 feet wide, and the concave bank is thirty 
feet high. Tlu- banks being eroded are of Glacial Till comiiosed 
mosth- of gravelly clay in which are grooved or polished granitic stones 
of various sizes, with var\ing layers of sand and gravel. The volume 
of water in the cIuuhk-I is o()ntinuall\ augnitiited b\ the seepage from 




THb MAUiVlEK KIVKK 
Looking east down stream from Clinton Street Bridge. Detiance, Ohio. November 27, 191)1. Mouth 
of Aufjlaise River and site of Fort Detiance on the rinht. with smoke from larye wayon manufactory 
beyond. Morninuside Park on the left and Preston Island Park on the right in middle distance. 

the banks. Only ordinary erosive waverings of channel have occurred 
in the upper part of the river's course. 

Several short, small streams enter from the north in .\llen County, 
Indiana. Starting in the northeastern ])art of this county and flowing 
in a general easterly direction are the north and south headwaters of 
Marie de Lorme Creek ( named in honor of a daughter of an early 
French boatman) which unite in the northwestern township (Carryall) 
of Paulding County, Ohio, and empty into the Maumee in the adjoining 
Crane Township. Gordon Creek, which has origin in the southwestern 
townshii) ( Hicksvillrf) of Defiance Countv, flows in a southeasterlv 



PRINCIPAL TRIBUTARIES OF THE MAUMEE RIVER. 455 

direction ami . iitc rs tln' river in Paulding County near the Defiance 
Countv line. Flowing parallel with Gordon, and from one to four 
miles northeast of it, is Platter Creek, both creeks being named from 
early settlers along 111. ir banks. Then only small 'runs' are received 
hv the river until the entranci' ol Tiffin River from the north. 

The iirincipal tributarv oi tlie Maumee is the Auglaise River which 
enters from the south, also within the (■i)ri)orate limits of the City of 
Defiance, one mile and a hall below the Tifilin. The words Tu-en-da- 
wie and En-sa-woc-sa are fixed at Defiance as names of Masonic lodges 
and street: legend says their meaning is about the same — the meeting 




I'KKSrOiN KSl.ANU VARK 

Showins Pontoon liriduii. .■Vcitninislration Buildine. .^nditorinni, Paviilion. and Restaurant. The .Athletic 
Field with Grand Stand is outside this view to the left; and the Residence Tents to the rich!. Site of 
the Shawnee Chief Blue jacket's town in 1793 on the distant mainland. Lookink' northward across the 
narrower branch of the Maumee. with i-liinnses of tlie wider branch, October U. 1901. Electric railway, 
and motor boats, connect here for Defiance wlitcli is one mile to the left. 



of the waters — and that the\- were ap])lied to the site of the present 
City of Defiance from the meeting here of the Tiffin and Auglaise 
with the Maumee. Tuendawie is of the Wyandot language, and Ensa- 
woccsa of the Shawnee; and both an- probaby changed in form from the 
original words. Below Defiance the tributaries of the Maumee are of 
quite local nature excenting North and South Turkeyfoot Creeks which 
enter nearly opposite each other toward the eastern part of Henry 



454 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



County : Bad Creek on the north Irom Fulton County : Beaver and 
Tontogany Creeks from the south, draining part of Wood County: and 
Swan Creek from the west, received at Toledo. 

Below Defiance the channel is far less tortuous than almve. It 
widens materially from the Tiffin and the Auglaise tributaries, but the 
beauty of the scenery is maintained. In fact, for (|uiet, pastoral beauty, 
the Maumee River is not excelled, ])articularly through Defiance County 
and below. The commodious residences and barns, the everchanging 
scenerv showing fertile and well cultivated soil, with fringes of noble 




M.'\L'MliE WAThK CAV THKuUGH DfcHANCh MuKAlNK 

Looking southeast from the crest of the Moraine 100 feet above the River ]ht]\ October, im)l. Tlie 
Moraine south of the River one mile, is of the same heiyhi froin gradual incline. 

trees remnants of a mighty forest, present pictures of ]5eace, plenty, ■ 
and of beauty, that linger pleasantly in memory. 

The Islands here increase in size and in historic interest. Preston 
Island, named from William Preston the first sheriff of this part of 
Ohio, is one mile east of Defiance. It contains about twenty-three 
acres, is cleared in its upjjer part where the Aborigine women ]>lanted 
corn and where the like crop has been cultivated by succeeding owners 



THE HIGHEST LAND BY THE MAUMEE RIVER. 



455 



until tlu- last few yoars. It is beautifully timbered in its lower part 
which for many years has been a poi)ular resort for i)icnicinn jjarties.* 
From Defiance eastward the Maumee flows through an eroded nay) 
in the Defiance Moraine, and the luaches of the (.xtinct Defiance 
Glacial Hay on the west and of Lake Whittlesy on the east. This 
Maumee Watt'r Gap was jjvobably i|uite well bejjun as an early drain- 
afie channel of Lake Maumie and by the subsequent washin^js of the 
waves of Lake \\'hittlese\ ami of Defiance Haw There are terraces in 




■ lAl'MEE WAII.K (..\r THKori.ll DKFIANCE MOKAINK 

Compaiiion to ihe opposite view. Lookiiiu soutli of west up llie Maumee VMh May. 1SH)1. This is the 
hinhest land (100 feet] immediately above the River. The smoke of manufactories in the City of 
Defiance, tljree miles distant, is seen on the left. 



the City of Defiance and below, some of which show that about sixtv 
feet of the later cut was done by the Maumee River. The crest of the 
Moraine rises on the left ( north ) bank three miles east of the Citv of 



* In the spring of ISKX) Preston Island was purchased by a new organization called The Island Park 
Company, composed of citizens of Defiance, who opened it to the public as a park the 28th June, and 



456 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Defiance steeply to the heiijht of one hundred feet above the present 
surface of the river at ordinary stage, wliiK- to thi' right (southward) 
the land inclines from the river in irregular terraces for the distance of 
one mile to about the height of the crest on the north bank which is 
the highest land immediately 1)\- the Maimiee- in all its course. 

One mile and a half below the crest of the Defiance Moraine, 
which is locally known as the North Ridge and South Ridge accord- 
ing to the respective sides of the river, a dam was built across the 
Maumee by the State of Ohio between the years 1H39-1I^42 to supply 
water to the Miami and Erie Canal below. This dam is seven hundred 
and sixty-three feet in length. It was first built nine feet high, and in 
the summer of 1901 it was rebuilt with cement concrete to the height of 
ten feet. It supplies good de])th of slackwater for canalboats, and for 
steamlioats accommodating two to threi' hundred pleasure seekers, for 
a distance of eight miles up the Maumee. This slackwater also extends 
up the Auglaise River three miles and up the Tiffin two miles. The 
canal here again enters its individual course along the left bank of the 
river, taking the water through a guard lock just above the dam lor its 
supplv through Henry Count\ . 

One mile below this dam, on the left bank of the river, is the site 
of the historic Encampment Numlier Three of General Winchester's 
army in 1812, where lie in yet unmarked graves many soldiers, mostly 
Kentuckians, who here suffered exceedingl\- and died from privations 
and disease — see ante pages 296, 297. 

Girty Island, containing about thirty-two acres, is delightfully sit- 
uated just above the turn of the Maumee to the north in the northwest 
l)art of P'latrock Township, Henry County. It is cultivated in part 
and in part used for picnics, steamboats connecting it with Napoleon. 
It was named from James Girt\' (not the brother Simon as has been 



later connected it with the south mainland by a stanch pontoon bridge, formed an athletic field with 
track and grandstand ; erected an auditorium, pavillion. restamaiit. and other buildings for the comfort 
and convenience of summer visitors, and charged a small fee (from five to twenty-five cents) for admis- 
sion. The electric street-car line was also extended to the south bank of the river at the bridge. 

In 1902 the Maunree Valley Chautauqua was organized by Peter W. M'Reynolds then Dean and 
now President of Defiance College. This season of meetings and entertainments proved so enjoyable 
and successful that an organization was effected for their continuance, viz: Directors. Fred. L. Hay. 
Charles T. Pierce. R. W. Mitchell, H. E. Myers. George W. Watkins, Rev. A. B. Murphy, Baptist, and 
Rev. Peter W. M'Reynolds. Christian, of Defiance; Rev, James M'Alister, Christian, of New Bedford, 
Mass.. J. J. Grubb, Buckland, Ohio, and Rev. William J. Dempster, Presbyterian, Napoleon. Officers: 
President, Rev, A. B. Murphy, Baptist ; Vice Presidents, Rev. P. O. Rhodes, Ignited Brethren, Rev. E. 
D. Whitlock. Methodist, Rev. H. Mueller, Lutheran, Rev. W. S. Culp, Methodist, Silas T. Sutphen, and 
Christopher C. Kuhn, of Defiance. Secretary and General Manager Peter W. M'Reynolds and Treasurer 
Edward P. Hooker. The session of 19()3 was attended with greater success than the first, many people 
attending from Michigan. Indiana, and distant parts of Ohio, as well as from the country surrounding 
Defiance, and many encamping in tents on the Island, The same officers and directors' were re-elected 
with the addition of Rev. George Foltz, Christian, of Defiance, and C. A. Graham, of Lima. At the 
annual meeting held at the close of the successful season of 1904, nearly the same directors were chosen 
as the year before, with Fred. L. Hay President, and Rev. A. H. Murphy Secretary and ("ieneral Manager. 



STATE DAMS AND GEOLOGIC FEATURES OF RIVER. 457 

stated) who, after tin- Tnatv of rirctnvillc in 1795 and the removal of 
the soldiers from I'oii I )( lianci tin lollowinti year, returni'd from liis 
retreat in Canada and Trniaini d oppositi' this island to the north, in 
trade with the Aborigines lor siveral years. 

The evidences of the Maumee having forsaken part ol its rhannei 
of former ajjes increase in the lower hall ol its course. The site of 
the present \'illat;e of Napoleon was formerly an island. This point is 
also the southwestern any;le of the beach or short- of the extinct Glacial 
Lake Warren. Corniferous Limestone forms tht- bed ol the ])resent 
channel which shows corrasions b\ tin water ant! its trans]>ortid 
material to the depth of three and foiii teet iii jjlares at the rai)ids abo\e. 




Lookiiikj soutluvesl up the Maiiinei- 
!fl02. Girty Island seen in the distance. 



Kiver ill 1-laliork 1 Dwu-^hip. Henry Ctuii 



At Grand Rapids \illagc, at the head of the Grand Rapids in the 
northwestern corner of Wood County, the second State dam exists, or 
rather two dams from an island the north one being seventeen hundred 
feet and the south one six hundred and sixty-one feet in length. The 
slackwater from this dam supplies the Miami and Erie Canal in its lowest 
course to the lake level at Toledo. The dam is five and one-half feet high 
and gives, with the natural depth of water, a good depth of broad slack- 
water for pleasure steamboats to and above Girty Island, a distance of 
about ninetein miles. This dam is at the head ol the most historic 



458 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



series of rajiids in the Maumee River's course. They extend to the 
Villaj^e ol Maumt'e, a distance of alioul ti)urteen miles, with a fall of 




rill-: (;u.\.\l' i;ai'1|i 



i| 1111 MAL'MKK 



And Ohio Slate l)ain foi Canal supply in the distance. I.ookine southeast up the river from the north 
end of the Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railway Hridye, at a inedinni stake of water 1st December, 
1H(I2. A ulinipse of the old btiildint's of the Villace of Gilead and of the later buildines since the chance 

ftt nanu- In C.rfind Hapifls, are seen on the left 





■ia 



^i^s^m 



itiaitluim 



jS 



Till, (,k.\M.> K.M'IDS 111- 1111, .MAlMl-.h 

And Ohio State Dam. Lookinc west from the south end of the Toledo, St. Louis and Western (Clover 
Leaf) Railway Bridge 1.5th April, 1902. The low stace of water shows the erosions of the Limestone in 
the channel. A slimpse of the Village of Providence is seen on the right (left bank) where the Miami 
and Erie Canal is situated and is fed from the slackwater above the datu. 



THE MOST HISTORIC RAPIDS IN MAUMEE RIVER. 459 

fiftv-fivf fifl. The iiamis of this series of rapids are, the Grand, 
I-'owler, liiar, WHII, Otsr^o, Knche de Mout, I'res<iiie Isle, and 
Mauniic (N'illancl with ininin intirx'ciiinn ones without iiauu- or w itii 
name of only hical import. The term 'The Rapids' as used in earliir 
times, usuallv referred to the foot of thi' lowest rapids opjiosite the 
])resi-nt N'illaue of Mauniee. At lirst tin- ii\er llows on a nearlv level 
stratum of Corniferous Limestone, and near the V'illa>;e ol Watervilk- 
it is on the shelving smooth surface of the Lower Hilderhern or 
.W'aterlimc, the i haiiml hriUL; liliirallv strewn with tlie sinalh r and 
medium size uraiiitic boulders washed Irom the Cilacial 'I'ill above. 

The early settlers constructed low dams, winjidams of small 
ex.tent generally, for ^rist mill luirposes, at the Grand, the P'owier, 
Rociie de Bout, and one or two otiui rajiids. Ilidi^is l)am at tht- first 











1^^^ 




n 


i» "'^^'^ " '^'^ '^ 



wi>hoo KAl'll).-, ol- lHh MAL .\lhh 

Sliowiiiy Keniains of tlie Dam constcuctcd ttiere in early years by individual cnterpiise for inilii:ii'. 
I.oolcini: up tlie river 1.5th April. 1901, from a point six and a half miles below the <»raiul Rapids Slate 
Dam. Inlands on the left. Low staee of water. 



rapids below Otsego, a wingdam of stone, drove only a sawint;' mill. 
It was destroyed by flood in lH4i'i or iiefore, it being -the last one of the 
smaller dams. At Otsego Rapids a full dam was built. Probably the 
first full dam was built in the latter part ol the first ipiarter of the 
nineteenth century on both sides of the large Dodd Island at Water- 
ville. These full dams afforded power to both flouring and sawing mills 
for many years. They wt-re not substantially built, were injured b\ 
floods and ice, and were not long repaired nor rebuilt after the oiiening 
of the Miami and Krie Canal along the river in \^4'2. .\ hydraulic 
canal was dug along the right bank ol the river from tlu' rai>ids about 
livt miles abo\f to convey water to mills at Perrysburg. This canal. 



460 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



which aftordrd about t-it^hteen feet fall, was also abandoned after several 
years' trial, its owners bein^ unable to coni]H'te with the ]^o\ver deri\ad 
from till- six hi^ii hn^ks of tin Miami and l'~rif Canal at tin- N'illaLiC' ot 




GREAT ICE GORGE AT OTSEGO RAPIDS OF THE MAUMEE 

This Gorge formed early in February, 1904, from very heavy ice broken by the hiph waters of the late 
January thaw. It was fixed by long continued cold weather in February, and auymented by another thaw 
the last of this month, attainintj its maximum the first three days of March. It remained into the last 
week of March when it. and the other gorges below, gradually broke away. Gorges also formed at Fort 
Wayne for a short time; at the Paulding-Defiance County line, which held for several weeks; at Island 
Park. Defiance, which held but a few hours with dammed water twenty-six inches lower than at the time 
of the gorge in February. 1883. yet surrounding about thirty residences: at Napoleon; at Grand Rapids, 
the village of this name being damaged more than at any other flood in its history; at Waterville, with 
severe damage ; at the Villages of Maumee and Perrysburg; at Toledo, where much damage was done 
along Water Street and the Wharves, and from flooding of basements up to, and above the Spit/er 
building; and gorge at the mouth of the Maumee. The bridges were much injured at Grand Rapids, 
Waterville, Fassett Street Toledo, and the lower Railway and Terminal Company: and much injury was 
done on the peneplains of the lower Maumee. The last gorge to break away was in Maumee Bay. This 
moved out with the ice of the western part of Lake Erie the 36th March, at which date there was yet 
much unbroken ice in all the upper Great Lakes. 

Easter morning April 3. 1904, another flood culminated at Defiance, the central part of the Basin, 
with water from natural rainfall to a depth of nine inches over the basement floor under the north build- 
ing of Masonic Hall Block, number two hundred Clinton Street, whereas the first days of March it was 
one inch over, and the 28th March three inches over. From the ice gorge of February, 1883, the water 
was dammed for a few hours to a depth of about three feet over this floor. The rivers here also attained 
about this last mentioned height in June. 1H62. But the highest of all records was attained January 5, 
1847, when water was dipped from the river by persons standing on the front doorstep of the brick farm- 
house built 1834-36 and yet (1904) standing at 429 Auglaise Avenue. Defiance; and a boat carried its 
passengers to this doorstep, according to evidence of yet living people, including Edward P. Hooker, 
and Jonathan Lewis a half-brother of the owner and then occupant of this house. William Lewis. This 
stage was fully seven feet higher water at Detiance than any other record. The L'nited States water 
gages, in their recent revised and more permanent condition, will insure more carefully recorded data 
regarding river variation, and greater protection against the dangers of floods and water gorgings. 



THE LARGEST ISLANDS. ROCHE DE BOUT. 461 

MauiiK c- inarl\ opjJosiK'. Stock in tliis company, howi-viT, was in 
diinand in llMi;) ; and tin- power of tlusc lavorablf witi-r ]>rivik-KfS 
will, doublkss, i)i' l)Lttir built ui>on and utilized in the future. 

Olipositt- the mouth of Tontotjanx- Creek the river is deep, about 
one mile in width, and includes several islands, the two smallest haxinti 
names Graw and Marston. The next larger, formerly called Indian 
Island and now known as \Vhitne\-, contains about ninety acres : and 
the next down the stream, the largest island in the Maumee, has been 
called Mission, and Station, Island and the broad ixpanse of deep, 
still water around called Station Pond, from the former Presbyterian 
Missionar\ Station for the Aborigines, on the opjiosite bank to the 
southward see ante page Hi)9. This island is about tw(5 miles long 
and narrow at the lowest end. It contains about two hundred and 
thirty acres, is very fertile, and is cultisated in ]>art. 

One-half mile l)elow Mission Island, seven miles below Grand 
Rapids, and one mile al)ove Waterville, the river has worn through 
the sectile limestone of the Onondaga, Lower llelderberg or Water- 
lime, group to the depth of forty tect below the present rock 
surface, the rock bluff being in tht' Kit bank, and a small high 
island of the rock remaining at about one-third ol the distance 
in the present channel. This rock point in the stream was a land- 
mark to the early French, and they gave it the name Roche de Bout* 
a name yet current among the older people in the- \icinity. A short 
distance north (to the left) of the present shore bluff of Roche de Bout 
is a deserted channel of the river in ancient times, which is about thirty 
feet above the present channel — see engraving ante yiage 194. The 
rock bluff covered with till rising fifteen feet and more above this 
deserted channel, was long an island in the river nearly a mile in length. 
The increased distance to the outer banks — to two miles or more in 
places — for miles above this ancient natural dam, and the terraces of 
their sides, mark the great volume of water and the successive heights 
at which the river flowed before the rock barrier gave wav, and the 
])resent channel was worn. 

Three miles below Roche de Bout there is a prominence of tliicker 
till, also on the left bank, and a like deserted Maumee channel to the 



"^ Pronounced very like Roosli de Boo. This name sit'ilifies standinu rock, or rock poim. ll has 
sometimes been improperly written Roche de Boeuf. Peter \ranor (Manard) or "Yellow Hair' a half- 
breed French-Ottawal in the hrst unarter of the nineteenth century told the following lecend relatiim to 
Roche de Bout, vi/ : .\ party of Ottawas were encamped near-by when a boy, while playing above the 
precil)itous ed«e of the shore rock, accidentally fell to the flat rock below a distance of about forty feet, 
and was killed by the fall, the rock at the base of the led«e beiny bare at low stayes of the river. The 
father, upon his return from the hunt and learninn of the death of his boy, became enraged at the mother 
because she did not prevent the accident, and he hurled her over the precipice. Her friends rallied and 
treated him in like manner. This was the linai signal for the gathering of the factions, and their anwry 
struggles for revenge did not cease until the strength of those above the precipice was exhausted and a 
larne part of their number had been thrown to the rock below. 



462 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



Kit (northwest). The peninsula-like ajipearance of this eminence was 
so i)iominent that the early French named it Presque Isle — see engrav- 
ing ante page Ut6. This name was also applied by them to the iioint 
I'ast ol the mouth of Maumee Bay, and to other ]irominent i)laces. It 
was on and around this Maumee River Presque Isle, particularly the 
northwesti in end, that the Hattle of Fallen Timber was waged and won 
li\ (m neral Anthnnv \\'avni' I'dth August, 17U4 - see ante pages 19.'), 196. 
()nc mile above the foot of the lowest rapids is Hollister Island 
winch IS near one-half mile long, and narrow. Several small islands 
are in its vicinitv. Two miles below Hollister is Ewing Island oval in 
form the second largest in the river, containing about two hundred 
acres. It is situated between the N'illages of Maumee and Perrysburg 
— see Maji ante page ;-5(>9, and engraving page HH4.'^ In the channel to 




ROCHE Di. UOUT .VND R.\PIDS 
Tlie Point of Rock oil the Riylit. to which the name applies, is about one-third across the channel from 
the Rock Precipice forming the Left Bank. Lookiiii! northeast down the Maumee at medium low stage 
of water Loth April, 1903. The Roche de Bout Rapids here seen are t.vpical of the flat and ledgy seclile 
Onondaga Limestone through which the channel has been corraded for thirty feet or more, this rock here 
being a dam in prehistoric ages, 

the right of Ewing are Garden, War Club, Hoi>, and Sandbar Islands : 
in the left channel are Willow and Corn Islands, and at the lowest end 
Muskrat Island. Grassv Island is near the right bank at the mouth of 
Grassy Creek : Delaware and Clark Islands near the left bank at the 
mouth of Delaware Creek : Horseshoe, Corbut, and several other low 
grassy islands near and within the upper limits of the City of Toledo, 
belonging to the State, complete the list of the principal islands. 

The head of the Maumee River's lowest natural slackwater, which 
is practically the level of Lake Erie, is at the upper part of the Village 



* This Island is often locally called Pilliod Island from an early owner. The Geographer of the 
recent I'nited States Survey of this region has. however, recorded it as p:wing Island from a yet earlier 
owner, which should permanently fix Ewing as the proper name. 



DROWNED RIVERS OR ESTUARIES. EXPLORERS. 463 

ol Mauiiut' al)out httrtii inilus al)ovi-- tlic mouth ot iIk- rivt-r at Maumi.t' 
Bay. Oni' mik- and a hall below the Village of Maumce a It-dtrt- of 
liiTit.'Stont.- li'sst'ns the deep water helow to a summer statte of six and a 
half feet in depth above, this led^e only iJreventint{ lake- boats of heavy 
ilralt trnm cominy; opposite Maumee and Perrysburjf. 

The increasi'd distance to the rock in the channel ol the Maumie 
lieturrn this ledge and the lake, also ol Swan Creek and the Ottawa 
River of Maumee Bay, in common with this condition of drowned rixer 
or estuary form of many other streams tributary to Lake Erie, sit;nihes 
preglacial channels at these places and a lonjf period of corrasion 
of the rock when tin l;ike was at a much lower level than now, if there 
was a lake then at these jioints.* The average width of the Maumee's 
lowest slackwater is about one hundred rods ( lf550 feet ) and the 
average width above Perrysburg at the usual summer stage of water 
is but little more than half this distance; while the former outer banks 
are separated by a distance varying from one to two miles. 

The earliest European explorers left no rtcordol their observations 
and experiences along the Maumee. While it is true that the south- 
eastern shore of Lake Erie was not so early written about b\- the 
explorers as those parts of the upjier lakis readily accessible b\ the 
Ottawa River route from Montreal, the western i)art of Lake Erie and 
its main tributary from the southwest, the Maumee which afforded the 
shortest and best route to the south and southwest, were undoubtedly 
ranged along at an early date. The earl\- chroniclers observed among 
the Aborigines along the Maumee articles which thev supposed were 
brought across the Atlantic by a French fleet in tlie year 1527. Were 
this statement authenticated beyond a doubt, we can onlv presume that 
these articles were brought from the lower St. Lawrence by none other 
than the Aborigines themselves.' 

The following is a list o.f dates, events, and of notable individuals 
and parties who are on record as having passed along the shores of the 
Maumee River, or its channel, viz : 

ll!ll-l"i. Samuel de Champlain is reported as visiting the Mascoutin and Neutral 
Aborigines, and Lake Erie.t 

1(>14-1.). Samuel de Champlain probably visited the Maumee Kiver in one of these 
years, if not at the date before written. 

1(1 Coureurs de Bois. The date of their first visit and their names and number 

were not recorded so far as now known. 

Hi — . French MissionariesJ or explorers visited the Maumee River previous to the 
years 10.54, 16.5(), 16(i0 — see Maps of the French Cartc.graphers ante pages 7.") to 80. 

* Geologists tell us that Lake Erie is llie result of the elacial tillini; of the former drainage chaunel 
of its region, probably underneath the Valley of the present Grand River in Ontario, Also that the 
earth has been and yet is in process of being elevated at the eastern end of Lake Erie, and that the 
depth of the lake is thereby yet increasing. 

t Paris Document l\'. New York Colonial Documents volume ix. page :iTX, ; Idem page 3Ki. 



464 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

1(1(1'.). In l(i()i) possession was taken in the King's [Louis XIV of France] name of 
the countries and lands in the environs of Lake Erie; the Royal arms were erected there 
at the foot of a cross with an inscription indicative of taking possession.' ■*■ 

Uidil. Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle probably passed up the Maumee in 
the autumn of KKllt on his way to the Ohio River. t 

11)70. Sieur de la Salle probably passed down the river on his return from discov- 
ering the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. 

KmII, lesuit Priests from France by way of Canada were along the Maumee River. + 

Kiil. June I. Sieur de St. Lusson, or Loison, Subdelegate of M. Talon Intendant 
of New France, by Proces- Verbal 'took possession of the country lying between the 
East and West from Montreal to the South Sea.' ^ 

\i>7:i-7 1. See maps of the French Cartographers ante page T'.l. 

l(i'7li. French priests from Canada were along the Maumee River.H 

1(180. The Maumee was known to Reverend Claude Allouez, and others.** 

KiSO. Iroquois warriors from New York to and from battle witli the Illinois 
.\borigines.tt 

1(180, November!). La Salle wrote as follows: There is at the end of Lake Erie 
ten leagues below the strait [Detroit] a river [the Maumee] by which we could shorten 
the route to the Illinois very much. It is navigable to canoes to within two leagues of 
the route now in use.tJ 

1(182. La Salle again wrote : I could no longer go to the Illinois but by the Lakes 
Huron and Illinois, as the other routes which I have discovered by the head of Lake 
Erie and by the southern coast of the same, have become too dangerous by frequent 
encounters with the Iroquois who are always on that shore. J^ 

1(182. The Miami Aborigines sent deputies to Montreal to meet Count de Frontenac.HH 

1(18:!. The Iroquois of New York made war on the Miamis along the Maumee. 

1(181. The Iroquois passed on their way to attack La Salle's Fort St. Louis, at the 
present Peoria. Illinois, 

1(18(). Nicholas Perrot, with twenty Frenchmen, marched into the Miami Country. 
The French established a post near the Ohio boundary, probably at the present Fort 
Wayne. Indiana.*** 

1(187. War continued between the Iroquois and the Miamis. 

1(11)0. French traders from Canada passed up the Maumee River. 

KlDii. .Ambassadors from Governor Benjamin Fletcher of New Y'ork with presents 
for the Miamis. 

l(l!):i. "The onlv disagreeable intelligence we got was, that the Miamis had re- 
ceived some presents from the English through the medium of the Mohegans. This 



* Paris Documejit \'I, New York Colonial Documents voliiine ix, paye 787. 

t See the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly volume xii, page 107 et seg.. article Sieur 
Je la Salle .Alone the Maumee River, by Charles E. Slocum; also ante pages 77 to 79. 

T Journal 0/ Captain William Trent Cincinnati 1H71. paye 6. 

S Jesuit Relations Cleveland ed., vol. Iv, p. 107. Paris Document IV New York Colonial Docu- 
ments vol. ix, p. 38:1. 

*■ Haymond's History of Indiana, pane 3.5.5. 

*■ Magazine of Western History volume x, pajie tJtHi. American Antiquarian volume ii, page 123, 

tt Parkmans La Salle and the Great West. And the Journal of Captain William Trent. 

Xl Pierre Marjory in his Decourvertes des Frangais dans I'AmSrique Septentrionale. volume ii, 
page 98. SS Idem SHti, 

HH Trent p. 7. 

**■* Harper s Encyclopaedia of United States History volume ix, pane 486, 



EARLY TRANSIT AND BUSINESS ALONG THE MAUMEE. 465 

afforded a just siiliject of apprehension lest that Nation had received them in order that 
they might trade in their country, and lest they would possess, by this means, free 
intercourse with all the others, which would bring about the entire ruin of Canada, both 
in regard to trade and war. The Count [l'"rontenac) was, therefore, under the necessity 
of sending a much larger number of Frenchmen, Kegulars and Militia, than he had at 
first proposed, to expel the enemy from that post [at the head of the Maumee) if they 
had seized it, or to prevent them entering it. This is to be done by Sieurs de Manteth 
and de Courtemanche whom also he dispatched at the head of all the Frenchmen, whose 
orders are, to think more of fighting than of trading."* 

Kiil.'i. Captain Nicholas I'errot built a trading post at the west end of Lake Krie. 
Kiil.'i. Severe war continued between the Iroquois and Miamis. 
lliiH). The lro<|uois, instigated by the British, again made war on the Miamis, 
lliilT. \ bloody engagement occurred by the Maumee between the Miamis and the 
Senecas, of the Iroquois, resulting in the defeat of the latter. 

lli!)7. Captain de Vincennes was dispatched with soldiers from Canada for a 
' I'osf among the Miamis, probably at the head of the Maumee. He was 'very expressly 
forbidden to trade in beaver.' t 

l(!l)i). Messengers from the British Earl Bellomont Governor of New York to the 
Miamis, were captured by the French along the Maumee and taken prisoners to Canada, 
Ki'.til. Pierre Lemoine d' Iberville passed up the Maumee with a colony of French- 
men on their way from Quebec to Louisiana. M. du Tessenet followed with other 
colonists. + 

ITOO. F'renchmen built a trading post within the limits ot the present City of 
Toledo, by the Maumee, 

1700, September 24. Keverend l'"ath'jr Gravier wrote while passing down the 
Mississippi River as follows ; The ■^4th we found a quantity of grapes, but much fewer 
than 1 had been told ; and they are neither as good nor as large as those found on the 
Riviere des Illinois, and especially on the Riviere des Miamis [Maumee] where they are 
found in greater quantities. 

\'70'i. A treaty of peace was effected between the Miamis and the Iroquois, with 
some exchange of prisoners. 

170'.J. Messengers from Lord Cornbury (Edward Hyde) Governor of New York, 
came to the Maumee to invite the Miamis to visit him for the purpose of entering into 
trade arrangements. 

1702. Captain Francis Morgan (?) de Vincennes, with French soldiers and others 
from Canada, established posts along the Maumee and the Wabash as far southwest as 
Vincennes, Indiana. 

1704. Captain de Vincennes or ' Sieur de Vinseine. formerly commandant at the 
Miamis [head of the Maumee River Fort Miami] by whom he was much beloved' was 
sent with six men, two canoes, and 'some goods' as special messengers from M. de Vau- 
dreuil Governor of C'anada to the Miamis. (i 

1707. M. de Cadillac with French Soldiers passed up the Maumee against 
the Miamis. 

1705. A company of Miamis passed along the Maumee to and from .\lbany. New 
York, on invitation of Lord Cornbury Governor, to arrange terms of peace and trade. 

171'2. Captain de Vincennes was again sent as a messenger of peace or war' to 
the Miamis on account of their trading with the British : whereupon the Miamis again 
promised loyalty to the F'rench. 



* Paris Dociimetn V. New York Colonial Documents volume ix, page Ij69. t Idem page 676. 

I Mimoire de la Marine et des Colonies. Beckwith's Notes page 97. 

S Paris Document VI, New York Colonial Documents volume ix, page 759. 



466 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

171."i. British traders from New York again came among the Miamis along the 
Maumee and Wabash. 

1710. The Maumee River and Wabash route had become ot general use. 

171.S. A French traveler wrote; The entrance of the Miamis River from Lake 
Erie is very wide, and its banks, on both sides for the distance of ten leagues up. are 
nothing but continual Swamps, abounding at all times, especially in the fall and spring, 
with game without end; swans, geese, ducks, cranes, etc., which drive sleep away by 
the noise of their cries. This river is sixty leagues in length, very embarrassiiig in 
summer in consequence of the lowness of the water. Thirty leagues up the river is a 
place called La Claise [at the mouth of the Auglaise River] where Buffaloes [Bisons] 
are always to be found; they eat the clay and wallow in it.* 

1719. Eight or ten canoes of Miami Aborigines passed down the river on their 
way to Albany, New York, with furs; and the same year they returned with firearms, 
ammunition, and trinkets received in exchange. 

1711). The French endeavored to remo\'e the Miamis along the rivers to the south 
to their brethren along the St. Joseph River above the French tort. This was an efiort 
to get them away from the British traders, but it was not successful. 

1719. Sieur Dubuisson. by command of M. de Vaudreuil. passed up the Maumee 
with his guard to take command of Post Viucennes made vacant by the death of Sieur de 
Vincennes at Kekionga the present Fort Wayne. 

1720. M. Fraui,ois Morgan passed with his command, on his way to build 
Ouiotenon, near the present Lafayette, Indiana, the first distinctly military post on the 
Wabash above Post Vincennes. 

17'il. .\ company of travelers from Canada, by wav ot Niagara, with merchandise 
to trade with the Miami Aborigines. 

1721. The Maumee route was recorded ;ts the shortest waj' Irom Lake Erie to the 
Mississippi Ri\-er. it being the most public announcement of this fact made among the 
British up to this date.t 

172H. A company of Miamis passed to and from New York to invite British traders 
to continue coming to the Maumee with supplies. 

1724. The British traders from New Y'ork passed up the river with supplies for 
the Miamis. 

172.'). Frenchmen from tlie (ioxernor of Canada with presents, passed up the 
Maumee River to induce the Miamis to cast out the British. 

17H:!. Sieur d'Arnaud with troops from the post at Detroit, came in expedition 
against the .Aborigines b\' the Maumee and Wabash who were 'rebelling' against the 
French in favor of the British. 

1784. Several French families passed up the Maumee, on their way from Canada 
to settle at Vincennes. 

178.5. A company of Frenchmen passed for the Wabash settlements. 

1789. M. de Longueuil with soldiers from Detroit, came against British traders in 
Ohio and Kentucky. 

1712. .A company of F'rench Herdsmen with livestock from Detroit, came along 
this route on their way to the forts on the Maumee and Wabash, including Vincennes. 

1744. M. de Longueuil trom Detroit, with a guard of soldiers and a company of 
Ottawa Aborigines, passed up the Maumee on their way to rout British traders in Ohio 
and Indiana. 

1747. Coldfoot. Piedfroid of the French, chief of the Miamis, Porc-epic 



* Paris Document \'1I, New York Colonial Documents volume ix, paye a91. 
t London Uocumenl .XXll. New York Colonial Documents volume v, page 622, 



STRIFE OF FRENCH AND BRITISH ALONG MAUMEE. 467 

(Hedgehog) .iiul iMcir young men. passed down the river on their way to Montreal to 
council' with the French CJovernor, and to join his war excursions against the British. 

1717. Frenchmen with peltries from the White and Wabash Kivers pa.ssed down 
the Maumee. They were massacred at Sandusky by Chief Nicolas' band. 

1717. Many .\borigines passed up and down the river in conspiracy with Chief 
Nicolas against the French, in the interest of the British. 

1717. Coldfoot and his guard, came on their ret\irn irom Montreal with presents 
from the Commandant at Detroit. M. de Longueuil, tor the rebelling- Huron Chief 
Nicolas and his bands. 

1717. .Xutumn. The French F'ort Miami at the head of the Maumee was captured 
li\ the .\borigines, followers of (^hief Nicolas' conspiracy, in interest of the British. 

WIS. February. Sieur Dubuisson with F'rench soldiers from Detroit, passed up 
the Maumee to recapture and reliuild l-"ort Miami. 

1718. Companies of l'"renchmen established trading posts along the Maumee. from 
its mouth to its source.* 

1749, September 27 to October .')tli. (Japtaiu Pierre Joseph de Celoron and his 
command passed down the entire length of the Maumee on his return to Montreal, from 
his taking formal possession of the country north and south of the Ohio River, and 
burying lead plates so inscribed by order of Marquis de la Galissonni^re Captain General 
of New France. He was accompanied by two hundred F'rench soldiers and thirty-five 
eastern Aborigines. Rev. Pierre Jean de Bonnecamps accompanied this expedition and 
wrote as follows regarding their passage down this river, viz ; The Riviere des Miamis 
[the Maumee] caused us no less embarassment than Riviere a la Roche [the .Miami of 
the Ohio] had done. .At almost every instant we were stopped by the beds of flat stones, 
over which it was necessary to drag our pirogues by main force. I will say, however, 
that at intervals were found beautiful reaches of smooth water, but they were few and 
short [this was a season of drouth with low stage of water]. In the last six leagues the 
river is broad and deep and seems to herald the grandeur of the lake into which it dis- 
charges its waters. At six leagues above Lake Erie I took the latitude, which was found 
to be 42' O'.t We entered the lake on the .")th of October. On entering it, there is to 
the left the bay of Onanguisse. which is said to be very deep.J Soon after one 
encounters to the right the Isles aux Serpents [islands where there are snakes]. 

174!). Hlighty-eight Miamis, with eleven canoes and seventy-seven packs of furs, 
passed down on their way to market at Oswego, New York. 

17.')1. Four British traders from Pennsylvania were taken prisoners by the French. 
Three were taken to Detroit, and one to Quebec 'on account of his mutinous conduct 
and threats.' 

\7'>\. Chevalier Paul Joseph le Moyne de Longueuil and M. Belletre. with French 
soldiers, traders, and 'two hundred Orondack Aborigines' passed up the Maumee on 
their way to suppress the Miamis and British traders at La Demoiselle's Fort, known by 
the British as Pickawillany. on the Miami of the Ohio at the mouth of Loramie Creek. 

1 'iTrl. Winter and spring. The Miamis suffered severely from the smallpox. The 
.-\borigmes caught this disease from the Europeans. 

17.')2. May. M. St. Orr (Our?) from Detroit, with companies of F'rench and 
Canadian soldiers and a large body of Ottawas and Chippewas, under Charles Langlade, 
passed up the Maumee on their way to suppress the returned British traders. French 



* The Firelands Pioneer. June 1866. pane IIH. 

t These tieures are too lar»!e. The latitude of the central part of the City of Toledo, ten miles 
above Lake Erie and five miles above Maumee bay, is 41° 'A9'. Reverend Bonnecamps' records averape 
well, however, for the time given to them with the means at his command. 

T This reference is to the arm of Maumee Bay ai the mouths of Ottawa River and Halfway Creek. 



468 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

deserters, and their Miami allies at Pickawillany. This was the first considerable 
massacre of the French-British War. ending with the British succession in I'/OO. 

17.')2. Autumn. Chevalier de Longueuil* with four hundred Canadians, a small 
detachment of French regular troops and Senecas. passed up the river to treat with the 
Miatnis. He marched into their towns with great display, and deeply impressed them 
by his elaborate ceremonies and presents. 

1756. French Ambassadors, by way of Detroit, passed up the river to arrange terms 
of peace between the warring Miami and Illinois tribes. 

1T57, Spring. James Smith, twenty years of age, came with his .Aborigine captors 
from the Cuyahoga River along the south shore of Lake Erie in canoes laden with 
peltries, and 'put in at the mouth of the Miami of the Lake [Maumee River] at Cedar 
I'oint, where we remained several days and killed a number of turkeys, geese, ducks, 
and swans.' They passed on to a Wayndot town opposite F'ort Detroit where they sold 
the peltries, taking part payment in fanciful clothing; but most <it the pay was taken in 
brandy on which the Aborigines became intoxicated and so remained until all the brandy 
was gone. Returning, they again stopped at Maumee Bay and engaged in a deer drive. 
The squaws and boys remained in the canoes along the shore, and the others ranged 
along the land some distance from the shore. Thirty deer were secured.! Part were 
shot on the land, and part were killed in the water by tomahawks. Many escaped, "We 
had now great feasting and rejoicing as we had plenty of hominy, venison, and wild 
towl. Here our company .separated. The chief part of them went up the Miami 
[Maumee] Kiver that empties into Lake Erie at Cedar Point, whilst we proceeded on 
our journey in company with' Tecaughretanego, Tontileaugo, and two families of the 
\Vvandots."+ Smith further wrote: The .Aborigines are a slovenly people in their 
dress. Thev seldom ever wash their shirts, and in regard to cookery they are exceed- 
ingly filthv. . It is a common thing among them for a young woman, if in love, to 
make suit to a young man ; though the first address may be by the man, yet the other is 
the most common. The squaws are generally very immodest in their words and actions, 
and will often put the young man to the blush. The men commonly appear to be 
possessed of much more modesty than the women. . They have their children 
under tolerable command ; .seldom ever whip them, and their common mode of chas- 
tising is by ducking them in cold water : therefore their children are more obedient in 
the winter season than they are in the summer, though they are not so often ducked. 

17o7. A large body of Miami warriors passed down the Maumee River on their 
way to Fort William Henry at the head of Lake George, New York, to assist the French 
in its siege and capture from the British, 

17.')!), Captain .\ubry with three hundred French regular .soldiers and militia and 
six hundred .Aborigines gathered on the route passed down the Maumee carrying 200,000 
pounds of flour from western Illinois. Their route was by way of the Mississippi, Ohio, 
and 'Wabash Rivers, down the Maumee and along the .southern shore of Lake Erie, to 
help protect Fort Venango, and thence to aid Fort Niagara, Captain Aubry was taken 
prisoner by the British at Niagara which fort the British captured July 2o, 17o9. ^ 

17(iO, November 'i'Z. Major Robert Rogers' command on its way to receive the 
surrender of Detroit from the French commandant M. Picote de Belletre to the British, 



* Paris Document X. New York Colonial Documents veluine x, va^e ihl. 

t See Li/e Among the Aborigines by Reverend James B. Finley, paye 3H4 where ' rin« hunts' are 
mentioned, as many as ■'JlH) deer beinn killed in one such hunt, also numerous other animals. 

t James Smith's Captivity Among the Ohio Aborigines from I7SS to 1761, written by hinrself. 
Lexington, Kentucky, 1799, and printed in Aborigine Captivities by Samuel G. Drake, Auburn, 1852. 
Reprinted in Cinciiniati in 1H70. 

S Paris Document X\'l. New York Colonial Documents vuluiue x, payes 98ti, 9H9, 



RELATION OF MAUMEE TO CONSPIRACY OF PONTIAC. 469 

encamped about ten miles east of Cedar Point the northeast point at the month ol Maumee 
Bay ; and the next morninR they sailed to Cedar Point where they aKain encamped to con- 
tinue negotiotions with a large encampment' of Ottawa and Wyandot Aborigines* The 
next morning the command passed across the mouth of the Bay by Turtle Island. The 
weather was so foggv that the drum was necessarily beaten all day to keep the boats 
together. 

17()(1, December T. ' Mr. Butler of the Rangers set off with an officer and party to 
relieve the (larrison at the Milineys.t . . They passed up the Maumee. 

lT(>:i, May 1. A large number of .\borigines pa,ssed down the Maumee on iheir 
wav to Detroit to aid I'ontiac in the siege of that fort. 

1 'il't'-i. May 'i'.i. Jacques (iodefroy with four other Canadians, and Aborigines, from 
near Detroit, passed up to the head of the Maumee to aid in the capture of the then 
British Fort Miami in aid of Pontiacs Conspiracy. 

• 17(>:!, Summer. Pontiac returned to the Maumee from the Siege of Detroit. It is 
recorded that Pontiac was born by the Maumee Kiver at Defiance — see ante page 10."). 

17(i4. .\ part of Colonel Henry Bouquets army was along the River St. Mary and 
at the head of the Maumee. 

17()4. last week of August. Colonel John Bradstreets army was at the mouth of 
Maumee Bay. This ariny against the savages excited by Pontiac, was subjected to 
great losses by desertions and storms, and did but little good see ante page 114. 

1 (1)4. Captain Thomas Morris of the British I 7th Regiment Infantry was detached 
by Cieneral Bradstreel from his command and sent as an ambassador to the Aborigines 
along the Maumee and to the southwest. He left Cedar Point, the northeast point of 
land at the mouth of Maumee Bay .\ugust 2(i, accompanied by two Canadian Frenchmen, 
two servants, and upwards of twenty Aborigines including five Mohawks of the Six 
Nations Iroquois of New York among whom Captain Morris had been commandant of 
Fort Hendrick at Canajoharie. They found Pontiac with six hundred warriors at the 
Ottawa village either near the Grand Rapids of the Maumee or further up the river as 
noted ante page 11.5. Here, after escaping many dangers, the Captain purchased three 
horses for riding, and hired two canoes to carry their little remaining baggage, and they 
continued to the Miami villages at the head of the Maumee where other serious dangers 
awaited him.t Escaping from his persecutors, the Captain and Godefroy returned to 
Detroit with but few attendants. They rode horses most of the way ; and detourred to 
the left, northward from the Maumee, to avoid the Ottawa villages. 

17().), August 1. George Croghan Commissioner from Sir William Johnson, with 
.■\borigine chiefs and British prisoners surrendered to him by their tribes, arrived from 
the Wabash River at the Portage to the Maumee. On the tith .\ugust they started down 
the Maumee in canoes — see ante page 122. 

17().>. September I. Deputations of several Aborigine tribes, from Commissioner 
Croghan at Detroit, passed up to confer with the Illinois and other tribes. 

1774. .A French record^ describes 'The Road from Detroit to the Illinois by way of 



* Possibly this is where Maior Rogers first met Pontiac — see ante oaye U'S; and Crouhan's JoDriial. 

+ This is supposed to be the French garrison of Fort Miami near ttie Head of the Mau)nee — see 
map ante page 97; and ttiese Rangers were soon succeeded by a sniall number of the Royal Americans 
commanded by Lieutenant Robert Hohnes. See George Croghan's Journal, reprint by The Arthur H. 
Clark Company. Cleveland, 1904, 

t See ante page 1 16 el seq. Also the Captain's Journal of this embassy in Miscellanies in Prose 
and Verse London. 1791. by Captain Thomas Morris; or reprint of this Journal by The Arthur H. Ctark 
Company, Cleveland, 19t)4. 

S From 'Documents Relating to the French Settlements on the Wabash' gathered by Jacob P. 
Dunn and printed in ttie Indiana Historical Society Publications volume ii. Number 11. page 33. 



410 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

the Forts Miami. Ouiatanon and St. Vincent with some Remarks' as follows, namely : 
-From Detroit to Lake Erie, eighteen miles. 

To the River Miamie [Maumee]. thirty-six miles. 

To the Foot of the Rapids, eighteen miles. 

To the Top of the Rapids, eighteen miles. N. B. Part of the Ottawas & a few of 
the Hurons inhabit this part of the River. In the former when the water is low. Canoes 
cannot pass the Rapids otherwise than by being dragged over the stones & frequently 
the Traders are obliged to carry their goods the whole eighteen miles. 

To the end of the Stillwater, twenty-four miles [to near the present Florida. Henry 
County, Ohio]. 

To the Top of the next Rapids, nine miles [to the present State Dam four and a 
half miles below (east of) Defiance]. 

To the Grand Glaise. a River so called on the left going up. six miles. N. B. A 
few Ottawas live here [at the mouth of the Auglaise River within the present City of 
Defiance ; this record showing a distance of seventy-five miles from the mouth of 
the Maumee]. 

To the Little Glaise on the right, three miles [the present Tiffin River. The 
distance Ijy River is but one mile and a half. Other distances given in this table are 
only approximate]. 

To the King's Glaise on the right, twehe miles. .\ few Ottawas live here [mouth 
of Platter Creek. Defiance County]. 

To the Elm Meadow [nearly opposite the present Village of .Vntwerp. Paulding 
County. Ohio] fifteen miles. 

To Sledge Island (so called from a stone resembling a sledge) twelve miles. 

To the Split Rock, six miles. 

To the Wolf Rapid [latterly known as Bull Rapid, in Maumee Township. .Mien 
County, Indiana] twelve miles. 

To the Great Bend, twelve miles. 

To VoTl Miamie [by the River St. Joseph see map ante page !I7] fifteen miles. 
N. B. The Miami Nation live opposite the Fort and consist of about .">(• Men able to 
bear arms. The Fort is inhabited by Eight or Ten French Families. 

From Fort Miami to Cold Feet where the old French Fort was. three miles. [This 
was the site of the first Fort Miami by the River St. Mary — see map ante page !I7. The 
distance here given is too great ; but the distances given from the mouth of the Maumee 
aggregate one hundred and sixtv-two miles which is nearly correct. ' Cold Feet ' was 
the name of the village of the Miami Chief Coldfoot's band]. The carrying place to the 
Little River, nine miles. To the River a Boite, six miles. To the Flats, twenty-one 
miles. To the Little Rock [Little Rock River, now known as Bull Creek] three miles. 
To the Ouabache, six miles. [Ouabache. the French spelling of Wabash. This was at 
the mouth of Little River, one mile and a half below the site of the present Village of 
Huntington, Indiana], N. B. Between the Miamie [Maumee] & the Ouabache there 
are Beaver Dams which when water is low Passengers break down to raise it. & by that 
means pass easier than they otherwise would. When they are gone the Beaver come 
and mend the Breach, for this reason they have been hitherto sacred as neither .Aborigines 
nor White people hunt them." This account is continued to the Illinois country, it 
giving the entire distance from Detroit as .S7il miles, 240 of which being across ' Plains 
and extensive Meadows' from the lower Wabash River. 

1777 (') John Edgar, a well-known merchant of Detroit, passed up the Maumee on 
his way to Kaskaskia. Illinois, his place of banishment by the British on account of his 
sympathy with the Colonists. His goods were confiscated. Congress in after years 
gave him 2000 acres of land as compensation for his loss. 

1778. Spring. Daniel Boon and ten other Kentuckians were taken prisoners by the 



THE MAUMEE ROUTE IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 471 

Aborigines, and taken clown the Auglaise and Maumee to netroit. They were soon 
thereafter returned to Old Chillicolhe' whence Boon soon escaped from his captors. 

177.S. June. The Miami, Shawnee, Pottawotami, Wabash and other savages passed 
down the Maumee on their way to a great council with Lieutenant Governor Hamilton. 
Abbott of V'incennes, John Hay Aborigine Agent, and MKee, at Detroit. This council 
of the middle of June was attended by KiHH Aborigines of both sexes.* 

1 77S, .August 10-1."). M. de Celoron passed up the Maumee with war-belts from 
Hamilton of Detroit to the Miami and Wabash savages, to hold them firm with the 
British against folonel George Rogers Clark's successes in the southwest. 

177S, .\ugust. C'aptain de Quindre with a company of Canadians and .-Vborigines 
from Detroit, passed along the Maumee on their way to and from their raid on Boons- 
boro, Kentucky, in interest of the British against the Americans. 

1 778. August 25. A war party of fifteen Miamis started from the head of the 
Maumee for a raid along the Ohio. They were followed on the :fOth by a chief and 
thirty warriors. 

1778, September l-l to Ti. Charles Beaubien British Agent among the Miamis at 
the head of the Maumee River, passed down with his escort on way to report to Hamil- 
ton at Detroit. 

1778. September 'i!) to October 4. Captain .\lexandei M Kee British Superinten- 
dent with escort, belts of wampum and presents, passed up the Maumee as a war 
messenger from Lieutenant Governor Hamilton at Detroit to the Shawnees. 

1 778-. October 1st to 11th. .V Lieutenant and militia from Hamilton at Detroit 
passed up the Maumee to its head to assist in repairing the Portage Road to Little 
River, and Fort Miami. 

1778, October 10th to 24th. Lieutenant Governor, and Colonel, Henry Hamilton of 
Detroit passed up the Maumee on his way to recapture Vincennes from Colonel Clark's L^ 
detachment. He was accompanied by Captain William Lamothe's company of volun- 
teers composed of Major Jehu May in general charge, including a large amount of 
presents for the Aborigines: Captains Normond M'Leod and .\lexis Maisonville; Lieu- 
tenants Jacob Schieffelin, Joncaire Chabert, Chevalier Chabert and Pierre St. Cosme; 
Adjutant Medard Gamelin ; Quartermaster Chapman; Surgeon John M'Beath; Com- 
missary of Provisions at Head of Maumee Charles Louvain ; Commissary for the Expe- 
dition Adhemar St. Martin ; Storekeeper Nicholas La Salle : .Armorers .Augustine 
LeFoi and Amable Cosme ; Boatmaster Francis Maisonville : Master Carpenter .\mos 
Ansley ; and seventy-one private soldiers. Also about seventy .aborigines led by Captain 
Charles Reaume and Lieutenants Lepiconiere De Quindre. Pontchartrain De Quiudre 
and Joseph Bondy. Regular soldiers of the King's Eighth Regiment were to soon 
follow, viz ; one lieutenant, two sergeants, and thirty-one private soldiers ; also one lieu- 
tenant fireworker and two matrosses [artillerymen]. t This expedition progressed 
laboriously up the Maumee with its many bateaux and large pirogues, (see ante page Ki8) 
heavily laden with food, supplies, including one six-pounder cannon, and presents, 
valued at S,')O.OOO.X It had been a fall of unusual low water, but some recent rains 



* See Haldimand MSS. .Also History of George R. Clark s Conquest by C W. Biillei field, pace 
I .">3 et seq. 

t From Hamilton's letters to General Frederick Haldimand Governor of Canada, in the Haldimand 
MSS. There has been much tiction of statement rcKardinu this important expedition as. also, regarding 
most other events in history. See Bancroft's History of the United States: Monnette's History 0/ lAe 
Valley of the Mississippi : EnuMsh's Conquest of the Country N. W. of the Ohio , Annals of the West: 
Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections: Butterfield's History of Clark's Conquest: Ante 
page 137. etc. 

t Oxen, carts, and beef-cattle preceded the boats. Most of the army supplies were left during the 
winter at Fort Miami at the head of the Maumee where. Colonel Hamilton wrote, there will be a depot. 



412 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

had given hope of rise in the rivers. They arrived at the rapids October 11th and at 
the head of the Maumee in the good time of thirteen days.* 

177S), Early spring. Aborigines with several prisoners from Kentucky, including 
Captain Nathan Bullit, and Jesse Coffer, passed on their way to Detroit to surrender them 
to the British 'who were then paying more for live meat than for scalps.' 

1779, Last part of March or first of April. The militiamen who accompanied 
Colonel Hamilton to Vincennes in the fall of 1778 and were there taken prisoners by the 
American force under Colonel George Rogers Clark and paroled by him, passed down the 
river on their return to Detroit. 

1779, June. Simon Kenton, Captain Nathan Bullit and Jesse Coffer, passed up 
the west side of the Maumee Valley on their return home after escaping from the British 
at Detroit, t 

1779. October. Captain Matthew Elliott, Simon and George Girty, and Aborigines 
passed on their return to Detroit with prisoners and booty captured from David Rogers' 
company of seventy .Americans by the Ohio River near the mouth of the Licking, 4th 
October. 

1 7.S0, Early June. Colonel Henry Bird with six hundred British soldiers, Cana- 
dians. Simou, James, and George Girty, and .Aborigines, and two pieces of artillery, 
from Detroit passed up the Maumee and Auglaise to the massacre of ."Americans at 
Bryant's and Riddle's, or Ruddell's, Stations, Kentucky. + 

r780. Last of July. Colonel Henry Bird's command returned down the rivers to 
Detroit, with about one hundred and fifty American prisoners and many scalps to sell to 
the British. 

17S0, t)ctober "i7. One of the common great gatherings of .\borigines was held at 
the lower rapids with much drunkenness as usual, following the payment of British 
bounties for their savage work against Americans during the Revolutionary 'War. 

1780, Autumn. M. la Balme. of France, with a small company from Kaskaskia. 
came up the 'Wabash to the head of the Maumee against the British and Aborigines. 



a store of provisions, perliaps of ammunition and yoods for the .\borijjines. As soon as 1 ai i ive there 1 
shall order a redoubt to be thrown up, the houses to be fortified, or such other precaution taken for its 
defense as nia.v appear best suited to the number of inhabitants and nature of the ground. . thus the 
time spent in councils with the Aborigines [which are sometimes very deliberate) may be employed at 
the Miamis in fortifying that depot. . . If the rebels [Americansl at Fort Pitt, with the assistance of 
the Delawares in their interest, could ettect the surprise of such a place, they would not only possess 
themselves of our magazine but cut off one of our communications with Detroit, as we might in that case 
be obliged to return by the way of St. Joseph Inear Lake Michigan] and be distressed for provision. I 
shall represeiu this to Captain Lernoult ICommandant at Detroit! who will judge how far a detachment 
sent to the Miamis [at head of Maumee' will be a cover to Detroit, and facilitate and secure our corres- 
pondence and communication." 

* At Fort Miami Hamilton reported they met several tribes of Aborigines previously summoned 
there and held several conferences, made them presents, dispatched messengers to the Shawnees and 
other tribes on their route inviting their company, 'or at least to watch the motions of the rebels 
[Americans] on the frontiers, for which purpose I sent them ammunition.' The report also gives the 
following experience after leaving Fort Miami: Having passed the portage of nine miles we arrived at 
one of the sources of the Ouabache [Wabashl called the Petit Riviere (Little River]. The waters were 
so uncommonly low that we should not have been able to have passed but that at the distance of four 
miles from the landing place the beavers had made a dam which kept up the water; these we cut 
through to give a passage to our boats, and having taken in our lading at the landing passed all the 
boats. The beaver are never molested at that place by the traders or Aborigines, and soon repair their 
dam. which is a most serviceable work upon this difficult communication. .See Michigan Pioneer and 
Historical Collections, volume ix: also ante page l."J8. 

t John M'Donald's Biographical Sl(etches. page 238. 

t Lossing's Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, volume ii page 394. 



SAVAGES COUNCIL WITH BRITISH. HARMAR'S DEFEAT. 475 

His company was successful at first, then in an niiKuardcd mom<-nt they wurf. inassacri-d 
by (Ik- rallyinR savages near the Alioite Hiver on their return. See ante page 141. 

1781. George Holman and Kichard Kue captives with an .\horigine party led by 
Simon Ciirty were l)rought down the .\uglaise, and taken down the Maumee and to Detroit. 
Holman was taken l)ack to Wapakoneta. and Kue was taken to the Mississinewa. He 
escaped to his friends after a few years. See Firelands Pioneer. 

17H1. The Maumee Kiver at the mouth of the .-Vuglaise was the refuge and abode 
for a time of the survivors of the Moravian Christian Aborigines (Delawares) after the 
sad massacre of their brethren at the Tuscarawas Kiver. 

I7S1 8.'!. War parties of savages continued to come from and return to the British 
at Detroit, passing up and down the I'iver or across its lower course. 

1787. .\ large council of .Aborigines was held at the foot of the lowest Maumee 
rapids, on the right bank. The 1-iritish Deputy .Agent (a deserter from the .\mericans) 
.\lexander M'Kee, was present, also the noted Joseph Brant of New York. 

1 788. Another council of Aborigines was held by the lower Maumee. with the same 
British emissaries present as in 1787. The United States was also represented by Thomas 
("lirtv who continued loyal notwithstanding the influence of his three renegade younger 
brothers Simon, James, and Cieorge, who were active among the Ohio savages engender- 
ing disaflection against the .\mericans in favor of the British. The savages, however, 
decided to atten<l council with the .Xmericans at Fort Harmar. 

178;ito ! 7!)0. But few white people passed along the river other tliaii French, 
British, and a few American, traders with the .\borigines, 

1 7i)(l, Colonels Joseph Brant and .Alexander M'Kee, and others of the British troops, 
had storehouse at the foot of the lowest Rapids for supplying the savages with food and 
the munitions of war. 

1 7!Kl, .\pril 12. I'reeman and Gerard. mes.sengers of peace from 

Brigadier (leneral Wilkinson of l-'ort Washington, to the .Vfjorigines, were murdered bv 
them at the lower rapids of the Maumee. 

1 7i)0, .-\pril 'i'J. Antoine (lamelin with guard arrived at the Miami town at the 
head of the Maumee. with a letter from Governor .\rthur St. Clair by way of Major |ohn 
F. Hamtramck at Post Vincennes. This letter, addressed to the .Miorigines along the 
Wabash and Maumee. expressed the desire of the writer that these tribes be at peace 
with the United States. There were British traders then along the Maumee who kept 
alive antipathy to the Americans, and the Americans could not secure peace. 

1T!K). C;abriel Godfrey and John Baptiste Beaugrand. from Canada, established a 
trading post at the foot of the lowest rapids. 

!7iH). Pirogues of Canadian make, laden with .Aborigines, supplies and munitions 
of war obtained from the British, passed up the river against General losiati Harinar's 
command. 

r7!)0, September or early October. James Girty passed down the Maumee to the 
site of the present City of Defiance, fleeing with his stock for trade from his trading 
house at St. Marys before General Harmar's army. 

1700, October 1-1 and 17. General Josiah Harmar arrived from the south along 
the headwaters of the Maumee with an army of 14.^:) U. S. Regular troops and militia, 
and three pieces of artillery, against the Aborigines who defeated him — see ante 
page Hi.'!. 

17!)1. May 2.1. Two hundred .Aborigines, in war parties, moved from Sandusky to 
Roche de Bout. .Also June 11th. large war parties from Detroit passed up the river to 
the Miami towns at its head, Simon Girty and other British agents were present and 
active with the savages against the .Americans,* 



* Thomas Rhea's Report in the American State Papers. Aborigine Affairs volume i. p. 196. 



474 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASfN. 

1702. The largest gathering in the history of the Aborigine councils was held at 
the junction of the Auglaise with the Maumee. at the northern part of the First and 
Second Wards of the present City of Defiance. Over three thousand and six hundred 
were reported present —see ante page 1 78. 

17S14. .-Vpril. The British under direction of Lieutenant Governor John Graves 
Simcoe built Fort Miami on the left bank of the Maumee about two miles below the 
lowest rapids, and garrisoned it with four hundred and fifty men and ten pieces of 
artillery. 

1704. James Girty fled from the site ot the present City of Defiance down the 
Maumee with his merchandise to Canada before the coming of General Wayne's army. 

1704. August. General Anthony Wayne with an army of about two thousand men 
came down the left bank of the Auglaise. established F'ort Defiance from the 8th to the 
15th, and passed down the left bank of the Maumee to the Battle of Fallen Timber 
August 20, which occurred on the left bank of the river about four miles above the foot 
of the lowest rapids. He started on his return August 2iird and arrived at Fort Defiance 
the 27th where he remained, strengthening the fort, until September Kith, when he 
started up the left (north) bank of the river to build Fort Wayne. 

1704, October 28. Colonel Richard England, Commandant ot the British garrison 
at Detroit, wrote to Francis I^e Maitre Military Secretary, complaining of the great 
amount of food supplies taken by Colonel M'Kee to the Maumee at the mouth of Swan 
Creek for the .\borigines ; also for tho.se taken 'for the garrisons at Fort Miamies [by the 
lower Maumee] and at Turtles Island' near the mouth of Maumee Bay. He paid the 
soldiers of these garrisons ' a Dollar a chord for Cutting & piling the Fire wood neces- 
sary for these Posts for the Winter.' . . Loss by death at these posts 'by that unfavor- 
able Climate '_ was very severe. At this date of Colonel England's writing there were "of 
the 24th Regiment only one hundred & fifty-four on the Surgeon's sick list Report. 
Those who survive will not I fear be fit for any Duty this Winter, as their disorder 
is of such a nature as to give but little hope of a speedy or permanent recovery. 
Every attention is paid to them that this [Detroit] Post will admit of, but from the very 
unusual Consumption of Medicine, Our Stock, as well as all that could be purchased here, 
is totally Expended, and we look with impatience for a supply from Lower Canada."* 

1705, Spring. Many Aborigines passed up the Maumee on their way to the Treaty 
at Greenville. 

1705. At the Treaty at Greenville Chief Little Turtle desired for the Miami 
Aborigines the exclusive control of the Portage between the Maumee. or the lower waters 
of the River St. Mary, and the Little River ; but it was not granted to them. They had 
succeeded in monopolizing it for a long time previous to the coming of General Wayne's 
army. The transportation of peltries, merchandise, etc., between the Maumee and Little 
River had become so great that they boasted of having received as tolls for it as much 
as one hundred dollars a day, which is probably an extreme statement. As the Aborig- 
ines did not like work, it is presumed that they desired the exclusive control for the 
purpose of levying toll contrary to Article IV of the Ordinance of 1787, and not for the 
purpose of organizing facilities for the transportation of goods. Some of their horses and 
men could be hired, however, to aid in the work. 

170(i, Early summer. Count Constantine Francois Classeboeuf de Volney. French 
traveler, writer, and philosopher, passed down the Auglaise and Maumee on his way 
from 'Vincennes to Detroit and Philadelphia, coming by way of the Ohio .River, Frank- 
fort and Lexington, Kentucky. He was under charge of a military convoy from Cincinnati 
' through the kindness of Major Swan [U. S. Army] by a road formed by the army through 
over two hundred and fifty miles of forest. Five palisaded forts, neatly constructed 



Michigan Pioneer Collections, vol. xii pa«es 148-1,V). Also see ante pages 194, 311 and onward. 



AMERICANS TAKE FULL POSSESSION MAUMEE RIVER. 475 

[Forts I.oramie, St. Mar\'s, Au^laisf. I)<'(iancr an*l Miami) wtre tht^ onlv stages in 
this journey.'* 

17!)(), May 17. ("oloiii'l jolin I'rancis Hanilianuk. Icavinj^ a small garrison at Fori 
Wayne, passed down the Maumee with his command to Fort Defiance which was 
probably dismantled and abandoned about June 1st; and the garrison moved down the 
Maumee to Fort Deposit. 

17!)(i, July -^th. Captain Moses Forter with his company of sixty-five soldiers, 
moved from the lower Maumee to Detroit where he took possession of Fort I,ernoult upon 
its evacuation by the British garrison July 11th. 

1 7!Mi. July 11th. The British garrison, according to the terms ol the Jay Treaty, 
evacuated Fort Miami by the lower river, which was at once taken possession of by 
Captain Marschalk and his company, of Colonel Hamtramck's command. 

I7!l(i, July lltli. Colonel John F. Hamtramck 'embarked all the troops' from ilu- 
lower Maumee for Detroit, where he arrived the Kith. 

17'.t(i. James Girty returned from his retreat in Canada, and had for some time a 
trading post on the north bank of the Maumee opposite Girty Island to which he would 
retreat when there were signs of danger. Later he removed to the Shawnee town on the 
left bank of the Maumee three miles below Fort Wayne. On the approach of (ieneral 
Harrison's army to raise the Siege of Fort Wayne in IHltJ, he again fled to Cauada where 
he died l.'")th .\pril, |S| ;. 

ISO.'i, June [']. Colonel riioni.i^ Hunt and the Isi Kt-giuiem C S. Infantrv from 
Detioit. passed up the Maumee in fifty Montreal Bateau.\, on their way to St. Louis. t 
These boats were hauled across the I'ortage to the Little Kiver by the soldiers. 

l.SOt. April 1."). Two members of the Society of Friends from the Baltimore 
Yearly Meeting who went to F^ort Wayne on horseback to establish an agricultural and 
Christian mission among the Aborigines (see anZe page .'i!)l) started down the Maumee in 
a pirogue propelled by Corporal King and a private .soldier of the Fort Wavne garrison. 
There were many .-Vborigines along the river, mostly Ottawas, with hunting and maple 
sugar camps, and children including infants bandaged tightly to boards, with faces 
painted very red, silver bracelets around the wrists and heavy silver rings in the ears. 
Larger children were in calico frocks to which were attached numerous silver brooches 
from top to bottom with like ornaments around the wrists and neck and in the ears. 
Their huts were made of two upright forked sticks with one stick horizontal in the forks 
and bark from trees leaning against it. and sometimes covered with rushes sewn together 
into mats with thready fibers obtained from bark of the buckeye tree by pounding it. 
Occasionally a pointed tepee was seen. Game was plentiful, and 
' The prowling wolf howled hideous all night long, 
.\nd owls vociferated the dread response.' 
.\ maskalonge was speared by the occupants of this pirogue, measuring four feel two 
inches in length, and larger ones were reported to them. They stopped to view the 
remains of Fort Defiance. ' The situation is very beautiful and commanding at the 
junction of the River Great Au Glaise with the Miami [Maumee], The two rivers make 
a large body of water, the width being about two hundred yards. A Canadian trader 
only resides here.' They passed Girtytown, the former trading station of lames Girty. 
opposite Girty Island. They passed from the head of Grand Rapids to the foot of the 
lowest rapids, fourteen miles, in one and a half hours, carefully noting Roche de Bout or 
standing rock on the way which was described as thirty feet high above surface of water, 
circular with diaineter the same, and top of the regular appearance of the roof of a 



* A View of the Soil and Climate o/ the United States of America, eic. By C. F. Volney. 
PhiMelvliia, 1804, paiie .'iSR. 

t Maira/ine of Western History, volume .\. 



476 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

house. ' Its appearance is additionally handsome from the circumstance of the roof, as 
it is called, being covered-with cedar' trees. Below the lowest rapids their progress was 
slow from strong head wind and "prudence seemed to dictate that we should put into a 
harbor, which we did at the mouth of Swan Creek where is a small fort [Fort Industry] 
and garrison lately established by the United States. Introductory letters were given us 
at Fort Wayne to Lieutenant Rhea the Commandant, which we delivered. He treated 
us with respect, and with him we spent (he remainder of the day and lodged. On our 
way we stopped to view an old fort called Fort Miami which was garrisoned by the 
British at the time Wavne defeated the Aborigines.'* Many .\borigine villages and 
wigwams were seen on both sides of the lower Maumee. and many French dwelt there, 
having married into the tribe and adopted the tribe's customs. Some of these houses 
were of a better class, built of small round logs, and roofed with bark. 

180!) to 1811. Tecumseh and other Chiefs, and numerous other .\borigines. pa.ssed 
along the Maumee many times on their way to and from the British at .\mherstburg and 
the Wabash to confederate the .Aborigines against the Americans. 

1812, September •iri-iS. A strong force of British and savages from Maiden passed 
up the Maumee to about twelve miles above Fort Defiance, and then retreated before 
the on-coming Americans. t 

ISl'i. General James Winchester, with about two thousand soldiers of the .Army of 
the Northwest, started down the river from Fort Wayne September 2'iiu\ and arrived at 
the ruins of Fort Defiance the iiOth. Here he built a large 'handsome fort' (Fort 
Winchester) and remained until December :Wth. the main force occupying alternately 
five encampments where they suffered from cold, want of food, and disease as much, 
probably, as any American troops have endured. Leaving Fort Winchester December 
.SOth, his army, now reduced to near one thousand men, arrived at Presq'ile, the Battle 
Field of Fallen Timber, January 10th, 1813, where he built Fort Deposit No. 2 about 
two miles below the site of General Wayne's Fort Deposit No. 1. 

1813, January 12. General Payne, of General Winchester's army, routed a 
gathering of Aborigines frorn an old stockade post on the north bank of Swan Creek near 
its mouth (ruins of Fort Industry ?) 

181.'i, January 17. Colonels Lewis and .\llen, from General Winchester's force, 
were dispatched with five hundred and fifty men against the British and Aborigines at 
Frenchtown (Monroe). 

1813. January 1!). General Winchester moved from the lower Maumee to his 
complete defeat at Frenchtown (Monroe) Michigan. 

1813, February. March, and April. Fort Meigs was built, by order of General 
William H. Harrison, on right bank of Maumee at the foot of the lowest Rapids just 
above the present Village of Perrysburg. Wood County. Ohio. 

1813. Colonel Richard M. Johnson with a regiment of Kentucky cavalry, passed to 
and from Fort Meigs several times along the Maumee. 

1813. Many large boat loads of army supplies were taken down the river, from 
Fort 'VVayne and from the Auglaise to Fort Meigs. 

1813, May 1st to .")th. Fort Meigs was besieged by the British with heavy cannon 
and a strong force under General Henry Proctor. They were successfully resisted by 
the garrison under Cjeneral Harrison. 

1813. General Green Clay's command of twelve hundred Kentucky and other 
soldiers left Fort Winchester May 3rd to aid the besieged Fort Meigs. They had 



* A Mission to the Aborigines, from the Aborigine Committee of Baltimore Yearly Meeting lot 
the Society of Friendsl to Fort Wayne in 1804, pase 96. Compare ante pages 386 and onward. 

t See ante paue 287; ."^nd the Michigan Pioneer Collections, volume xv panes Lil-lli-l. 



THE MAUMEE THOROFARE IN THE WAR OF 1812. 477 

eighteen larRe flat scows with hiKli thick sides to shield the troops against bullets of 
attacking foes. 

ISK!, May I. <"oloni;l William Dudleys Kentucky troops, of Cleneral Clays com- 
mand, were defeated on the west side of the river opposite and below Fort Meigs, and he 
with six hundred and thirty of his force of eight hundred, were captured and many were 
[nass;icrttd. 

1S|:;, July "il. Second (bloodless) investment of I'ort Meigs by British and 
savages. 

l,Sl:i ISl."i. There was much of passing down and up the Maumee of troops and 
supplies for the armies during and at the close of the War of IHTJ. 

LSI I. Major John Whistler passed up the Maumee from Detroit with troops to 
assume command of Fort Wayne. 

ISl."), M.iy I"). l'"ort Meigs was dismantled by its garrison of about forty men. Its 
armament, including four heavy pieces of ordinance and military stores, was taken to 
Detroit on the schooner Blacksnake commanded by Captain Jacob Wilkinson, 

ISl."). and onward. The influx of permanent settlers was considerable, particularly 
at the head of the river, foot of the lowest rapids, and at Defiance, increasing in number 
each year. 

LSI,') l(i, l-"orl Wavne was rebuilt by its garrison under Major John Whistler. 

ISIT. Major Joseph H. V'ose. of the ,")th U, S, Regiment Infantry, succeeded to 
the command of Fort Wayne, 

ISl!), .\pril I'.l. Major Joseph H. Vose, in compliance with orders, dismantled F'ort 
Wayne and passed down the Maumee with the garrison of ninety-one men, and equip- 
ment including one six and one twelve pounder cannon, on their way to Detroit, thus 
removing from this Ba.sin the last garrison of United States soldiers. 

IS"i".i. Ceneral Lewis (^ass and Henry It, Schoolcraft historian of the .Vborigines, 
with attendants, went up the Maumee in canoes on their way from Detroit to the 
Mississippi. They returned by this river. General Cass had before this journey been 
up and down this river several times by boat in his public dealings and treaties with the 
Aborigines. 

'Plu- lort.'S()in.i;' is luit a hriil (nilliiiu of the fornuT importance of 
this waterway as a thoroii^hlare. Its full irnjiortance in early times 
cannot well be comiirehended at this distance in tiineand develo])ment, 
l)articularly liy tliose not conversant with water transi)ortatioii and the 
Sreat scoi)e ot country which focused alon^ this river. Hundreds of 
warring .\horii;ines of the many tribes, in addition to the foregoing 
list, were often ])assin,t; up and down its course: and their women, 
children and aged found their greatest pleasure along its waters. In 
the later history of the .\borigines here, about the time annuities were 
to be i)aid at Fort Wayne, there was an especial assembling of their 
entire number for the journey thither, many traveling far from direct 
route for the pur]>ose of passing along the river. They came along 
the Maumee from villages east and west of its mouth, and down the 
.\uglaise and Tiffin to Defiance where two thousand or more havt been 
encam|-ied for a time before renewing the journey uj) the river to receive 
the Government's bountx . The da\s of exclusively licensed traders 
had passed, and every tradesman was alert to get his share of traffic. 
Some even accomiianied them to Fort Wayne (the late Brice Hilton of 



478 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Brunt-rsburg amonfi the numbtr) jjiroguing their stock for trade up 
the Maumee while the Aborigines generallx' went by land, some on 
horseback and others on foot, to meet at night in or near the same 
cami^ing place. It was generally necessary to trust the Aborigines for 
their purchases until the receijit of their annuit\'. It was also necessary 
to lu' close at hand with the demand for i)ayment ujxjh its receipt: and 
even then some bills would remain unjiaid. These Aborigines, who 
loved the Maumee River so well, have long since dejiarted to far distant 
western reservations, and to the Spirit Land, leaving but little 
expression of the sentiment that the more thoughtful of them must 
have felt in their better moments." 

The commerce of and for the settlers along the Maumee River 
above the lowest rapids culminated in 1842, to be largely superseded 
the following year by the Miami and Erie and the Wabash and Erie 
Canals. Thi- river transportation, on all streams above and below 
Fort Wayne, was led prior to 1H3() by Francis Minne and Jacob Bush: 
and subsequently by Patrick Ravenscraft and John Barber. Individ- 
uals, or two or more neighboring farmers, however, would do their own 
transporting by pirogues, even to Detroit. The boating from Fort 
Wayne to Maumee Village or Perrysburg and return usually required 
one week's time. All kinds of products and merchandise then current 
were transported. 



■ In the late Isaac Van Tassel's Journal of the Presbyterian Mission to the Aborigines at the 
middle of the lowest series of rapids we find the statement, printed in the Missionary Herald of Decem- 
ber. 1831. that " since the Treaty lof 1838 whereby they were to be removed to the far westward reser- 
vation] some of the Aborigines have said they will never leave this country. If they can find no place to 
stay, they will spend the rest of their days in walking up and down the Maumee, mournine over the 
wretched state of their people." Usinc this sentiment as a subject. Josiah D. Canning, of Gill, Massa- 
chusetts, communicated to the American Pioneer, volume ii, 1843, page 78, the following poem entitled 

THE BANKS OF MAUMEE. 

1 stood, in a dream, on the banks of Maumee! 

"Twas autunni, and nature seem'd wrapped in decay. 
The wind, moanini,'. crept tliro' the shivering tree— 

The leaf from the bough drifted slowly away : 
The gray-eagle screamed on the marge of the stream, 

The solitudes answered the bird of the free; 
How lonely and sad was the scene of my dream. 

And mournful the hour, on the banks of Maumee; 

A form passed before me — a vision of one 

who mourned for his nation, his country and kin : 
He walked on the shores, now deserted and lone. 

Where the homes of his tribe, in their glory, had been ; 
And thought after thought o'er his sad spirit stole. 

As wave follows wave o'er the turbulent sea; 
.\nd this lamentation he breathed from his soul. 

O'er the ruins of home, on the banks of Maumee : 

' .\s the hunter, at morn, in the snows of the wild. 
Recalls to his mind the sweet visions of night; 
When sleep, softly falling, his sorrows beguiled. 
And opened his eyes in the land of delight — 



EARLY COMMERCE OF THE MAUMEE RIVER. 479 

A (t\v i)asstn^;c'rs souj(ht conveyance in these boats. Goinu clown 
the stream in a ^ood stage of water, the ride was rajnd and exhilarating^. 
]Sut some amusin^,^ stories were told of" persons who enga^^ed convey- 
ance on freight boats at Port Lawrence, Maumee and Perrysburg uj) 
the river, i)articularly during low stages of water. During the journey 
they were obliged to either wade in the water and liel]) to lift and i)Ush 
the boat up the rai)ids, or work with a ]iole to i)ush the boat uj) the 
deei>er and more sluggish current. They would soon 'recognize the 
|oke' forsake the boat, and make the journey much easier and quicker 
in walking along the shore path unencumbered. 

The means and system of transportation across the Portage be- 
tween the Maumee and Little River developed with the river commerce. 
Some of the more enterprising Frenchmen h d the business, at first in 
the name or parth in tin- intt-nst ot tlie Miami chiefs, who sought to 
levy tribute on the poita^ie notwithstanding Article IV of the Ordinance 
of 1787, and thin loi llKUiseU es. Louis Bourie ol Detroit established a 
store at F'ort Wayne, and his chief clerk conducted the Portage Trans- 
portation business largely from 1H08 to 1809. This business increased 
to large proportions, horses and carts being used : but land transporta- 
tion was here wholK- superseded by the canal which was completed 
from Fort Wayin- to Huntington in iHHri. 

The first ol tlu- larger sailboats, recorded b\' the news})aper Miami 
of the Lake in Ai)rii, 1^4(), and othurs, as built b\' the lower Maumee to 



So. backwanl 1 must; on the dream of my youth: 

Ye peace-Kiviiiu liomsl O. where did ye flee! 
When the Christian neulected his panes of truth. 

And the Great Spirit frowned, on the banks of Maumee. 

' Oppression lias lifted his iron-like rod 

And smitten my people, again and a^ain; 
The white man has said tliere is justice with God — 

Will he hear the poor Aborigine before him complain ? 
Sees he not how His children are worn and oppress'd — 

How driven in exile? — O, can he not see? 
And 1. in the garments of heaviness dress"d. 

The last of my tribe, on the banks of Maumee? 

' Ve trees, on whose branches my cradle was hunK. 

Must 1 yield you a prey to the axe and the fire? 
Ye shores, where the chant of the pow-wow was sum;? 

Have ye witnessed the liyht of the council expire? 
Pale «hosts of my fathers, who battled of yore. 

Is the Great Spirit just in the land where ye be? 
While living, dejected I'll wander this shore. 

.And'join vou at last from the banks of Maumee.' 

There is bnt little poetic literature relaiiuK to the Maumee known to the writer: and this fact 
induces the reprinting of the foreyoiny effusion. Rev. N. B. C. Love. D.D., who has resided many years 
by and near the Maumee Kiver, dedicated in 1H97 "To the Pioneers of the Maumee Valley. Liviny and 
Dead ' a poem of 2^i6 lines entitled The Maumee which, Ihonnh faulty in construction, embraces more 
correct sentiment than does the foreuoini;. It is printed in the pamphlet of the Maumee Valley Pioneer 
Association for 1897. and separately. 



480 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

coast alon^ Lake Erie, were the sloop or schooner Miami of 25 tons 
caiiacity, built at Perr\'sl)urg' in the year IHIO for Detroit owners. The 
Blacksnake oi the same size was in use from 1H14, and the Leopard from 
l^ilil. The Guerriere of 75 tons was built at Swan Creek. She was 
sold at auction |anuar\' 1, lM;i4, in Sanduskv by John Hollistir and 
Com|)an\' ol Perrysburi;. The n were built at Perrysbur};, the Eagle of 
Kin tons in \>^'27 which continued to plx- c|uite regularly between the 
MauuHi' and Buffalo, Cai'tain David Wilkinson being master in 1832: 
and tin- Antelope of 75 tons built in IH^H, tlu" last three being owned at 
Perrvsburg. Up to the year 1H46 the list of such vessels had increased 
to the number of twenty, the largest being of about 150 tons burden. 

The first steamboat built for the Great Lakes was the Walk-in-the 
Water of 340 tons, built at Black Rock, Buffalo, by Doctor j. B. 
Stewart of .\lbany. New York, and other parties interested in land 
about Perrysburg. She was completed in the year IHIS. Noah Reed, 
a passenger on her, wrote in his Memoirs that she left Black Rock 
August 1^*, IHlH, arri\ed at Detroit September loth. Job Fish was 
then captain and he ran the boat u]) the Maumee to Perrysburg. This 
and the two succeeding summers she continued to make successful 
runs between Buffalo and Detroit, and June 10, 1820, she left the 
Maumee on the first excursion to the upper lakes. On a dark night, 
later in this vear, she was driven near the Canada shore at Pointe Albino 
twelve miles from Buffalo, and her captain dro|)])ed anchor there. The 
trough of the sea was so low that her rudder struck the rock and was 
torn loose. To avoid the disastrous shipwreck on the rocks that seemed 
imminent, steam was raised as high as practicable, the cable was slipped 
and, with a hawser trailing from each aft ijuarter to aid in guiding her 
course, she was driven on the sandy shore of Buffalo Bay where a 
sailor took a line ashore and made it fast to a tree. No lives were 
lost: but the boat was wrecked.* The Enterprise was the ne.Kt steam- 
boat to come to the Maumee, in 1H2;'!. The next was probably the Ohio 
built at Sandusk\' in 1^32. This boat was in later years abandoned by 
the shore of the 'Middle Ground' between the Maumee and Swan 
Creek near their junction, and her hulk was there burned. The steamer 
General Gratiot. Captain Arthur Edwards of Detroit, made weekly visits 
to Vistula, Port Lawrence, Maumee and Perrysburg in 1832. The men 
active in promoting the development of Vistula (now part of Toledo) 
endeavored in 1832 to induce the regular Buffalo-Detroit steamboats to 
call there. Not being successful in this effort arrangements were made 
for the steamer Pioneer of Sanduskv to ply between that port and 
\'istula, hoping to attract settlers by advertising at Buffalo direct com- 



'■ On authority of Oliicer Slocuni. Compare Michigan Pioneer Collections volume iv, page 80, 



STEAMBOAT BUILDING ALONG THE MAUMEE RIVER. 481 

imiiiication uilli X'isliila li\ clianuin^; troiii ihr Detroit boats to the 
Pioneer at Sandusky. This arrangement was soon discontinued, liow- 
iver, from want of ])atronat;e. A canalhoat liuilt and chanjied tor 
steam |)ower at J^ociiester, New YorR, was broufjht to the Maumee 
larly in \^'.V.\. In th( siirm^j of this year slie passed up the Maumee 
to l'"ort \\a\n( in < harye of Captain Deniele, taking? as pilot Isaac 
Woodcox ol Aritwirp. She tin n liore the name Phenomenon, and the 
people of Fort Wayne called her 'quite a larj(e, elegant boat.' She 
was there accorded a general welcome and a general public dance was 
held on board.* This boat was afterward run on tlu lower river by 
Captain C. K. Bennett. 

From this date steamboats were built along the lower Maumee, 
viz: at Toledo, the Detroit oi 200 tons in 1H83 for Cleveland owners; 
Don Quixote hO tons in 1836, and the Indiana 434 tons in 1839. At 
Perrysburg for owners there wi-re built the steamboats Commodore 0. 
H. Perryf ii82 tons in 1H34: Anthony Wayne, 390 tons in 1837: John 
Marshall. 3f) tons in 1H37; General Vance, 75 tons 1H39; V/abash. 44 
tons 183H: St. Louis. filH tons 1m44: Superior, 507 tons 1845; and the 
John Hoilister. 300 tons in 184H. At Delaw-are Creek was built the 
steamboat Chesapeake of 410 tons in 1838. At Maumee Village the 
Miami in 1m3M: General Harrison. 293 tons in 1839; James Woolcott. 80 
tons 1840; Troy, 547 tons in 1H45; C. P. Griffith. 587 tons 1846: Albion. 
132 tons 1848; and the Minnesota of 749 tons in 1H51-52. 

A steamboat was built in 1S36 at Brunersburg on the Tiflin River 
one mile and a half above the Maumee. She was of 18 tons capacity 
and bore the name Anthony Wayne. She made several runs along the 
Maumee in trade between Fort Wayne and the towns on the lower 
rivir. l*"or the winter of 1836-37 she was tied up at Fort Wayne and 
during this time was sold to a man of the A'illage of Maumee. At the 
going out of the ice towards s])ring she was torn from her wharf and 
carried down stream. She was caught, and afterwards was used along 
the lower river, with the name Dave Crockett. 

The first boat run by screw (iropeller on Lake Erie was built at 
Perrysburg in 1843. She was called the Sampson and was of 250 tons 
capacity. The Princeton of 400 tons was also built there in 1845. Also 
the Globe of 3hO tons was built at Maumee in 1845. The first steam 
barge, the Petrel, was built by or for Joel W. Kelsey of Toledo in 1^49, 
and used largely to bring lumber from Saginaw. 



"Compare History of Fort Wayne by Wallace A. Brice. 1868. page 32.'!. 

tThe steamers Commodore 0. H. Perry. Captain David Wilkinson; Anthony Wayne. Captain Amos 
Pratt; and Rochester, were advertised in the tirst number of the newspaper The Ohio Whig. Perrysburg 
18 Auuust, IKW. as makinu reiiuLir runs between Perrysburg and Bufialo. Also the Caroline. Captain C. 
Perry, between Perrysbury. Maumee. Toledo, Manhattan and Cleveland ; and the Si/n. C. K. Bennett 
master, between Toledo, Maumee and Perrysburg. Knapp's History of the Maumee Valley. page4:M. 



482 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



Tin-re had lieen U]) to this date about forty-six additional steam- 
boats sloi)i)ing' at the different wharves in the Maumee River, which was 
the small besinning of the river's commerce by steam power. The first 
tug-boat was brought to Toledo as late as ]h57, trom Philadelphia via 
New York and Erie Canal, by Captain Davi'd Miller who was yet living 
in Toledo in litO:-5. 

The lower Maumee River affords the best harbor of Lake Erie and, 
everything considered, it is the best harbor of the Great Lakes with 
facilities sufficient for all their commi-rce. The hardor has no ship)iing 
docks, and but few jners. As \-et wharves of the quay form are ample 
and more convenient. The shijiijing at this iiort has kept pace, C|uite 
well, with the gre.at increase ot the lake commerce. Latterly the in- 
crease has l>een \ery ra])id, now excelling all jiorts in coal, and there 
are good reasons wh\ tin- increasi- should continue with greater ratio. 



^^ 






i j 


i ! 












fUSmf^ ■ i^^k^B 




1^1 


;w 


^ 















l.LlMI'SK OF TOLEDO SlllHl'lNi; 
A coiiipHiatively short sketch ot Matiiiiee River Wliaif '(Jiiay iti 19(13. 

The im]jrovement of the aggraded main channel, yet in progress but 
nearing completion at the bar with large funds in hand, to a straight 
channel twent\-two feet in deinh and four hundred feet in width, has 
already been lavorablv Iclt. In addition to this improvement a new 
lighthouse has been Imilt, which was completed for service the last of 
Ma\-, 19114, and is officiall\- designated The Toledo Harbor Light. It 
is situated near the mouth of the extended channel, about two miles 
eastward from the former Turtle Island Light. Notwithstanding it 
having been substantial!) built of stone, steel and brick, the crib was 
injured by the thick ice and high waters of the spring of 1904. The 
residence is three stories high and the tower rises to a height of ninety 
feet. The illuminating apjiaratus is of first class: was made in Paris, 
and it was a feature of the United States exhibit at the Pan-American 
Exposition, Buffalo 19(1'2. Imjirovements along the Maumee, Swan 
Creek, Ottawa River and Maumee f-Jay, would afford conveniences for 
near one hundred miles of pier line - equal to the increase of passenger. 



TOLEDO HARBOR. AND SHIPYARDS. 



483 



mL-rchandisL-, Rraiii, ore, coal, and otlu r < oninurcf for ^fenerations to 
coiiK . riu' convenience and safety of this port are being more recoK- 
nized, and owners of tile larjfe steamers have latterly been sending a 
greater number of thesi' ships to the Maumee for winter quarters. 

The shii)yards at Toledo have for some years been building some 
of thi' best boats of the Lakes: and they have, also, ]5roduced a goodly 
number of ships which arv now plying between distant ports on the 
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Twoshii)sof this character wert' completed 
at th,- Craig Yards in IM!)!), three in I'.IOO, three in lOiM. and tn<r in 1'.H>-2. 




FREIGHT SHU'S Ol-' THE C.REAT LAKKS IN WINTER (JlARTERS 
At Toledo. December, IVK-W. 



The largest of this fleet is the Meteor of 2301 gross tonnage, it being 
about the largest that can pass through the Welland and St. Lawrence 
Canals on the way to the Ocean. There is ample capacity at these 
vards for the building of large shiiis for commerce on the Great Lakes. 
In April, llKKi, the Toledo-built steamship George L. Craig ran to 
Duluth on hir trial voyage with a cargo of 5100 tons of coal: and a 
contract is in hand for a ship nearly twice this size. This yard was 
opened at Toledo in 1HH9 : and in 1890 the first iron steamer, the John 
W. Moore, was built in Toledo. There are now iron furnaces, steel 
works including machine shops and wood works, in connection with 
these shipyards, and the entire ship is here constructed. The one 



484 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



hundrt-dtli ship built b>' this comi)an\- was launched at the yards in 
Birmingham, Toledo, March 17. 1904. She was the side-wheel steamer 
City of Benton Harbor ior service between Benton Harbor and Chicago. 
Her engines have capacit\- of Ht)()() horse power, and her carrying 
capacity is oOOO passengers. She is one ot the best and speediest 
lioats on the Great Lakes. The launching oi another vessel, the 
Indianapolis, followed on Ma\ 4th, built toi the Indiana Transportation 
Company. 

The exhilarating recreation of yachting has received considerable 
attention on the lowest Maumee slackwater in connection with Maumee 




THl; I.AINC IIINI, or THE SrhAMSUlP lUCKMAN 

.At the CraiL' Yards, Toledo, in I^HiL Tliis ship is now of the t'nited Fiiiil CoMU>an\ s Fleet, plyink' 
witli nassen^ers between Pliiladelpliia and tlie West Indies. Her sister sliip Watson, of tiie same fleet, 
lannched here in 19(tl. rnns from New York to the West Indies. 



Bay and the western iiart ol Lake Erie. The Maumee River Yacht 
Cluli and the Toledo Yacht Club i name changed February 12, 1904, 
from that of Toledo Yachting Association) have for some years had 
creditable fleets composed of different classes of boats, which have 
been increasing in number of late years. They were formerly all sail 
yachts, but latterly steam and other modern powers have been added 
in new boats. Several interesting regattas have been held which have 
suggested improved qualities dear to the yachtsman's heart. These 
clubs have occupied comfortable c|uarters for meetings. An impetus 



TOLEDO YACHT CLUBS. AND NAVALTRAINING SHIP. 485 

was addcci to tlir si>oit, howextr, by tin- completion and occui)ancv in 
the spring ol I'.io:! ot tin- Toli-do Yacht Club's new and com- 
modious club liousr on tlu' shore of Bay \'ie\v Park. These clubs 
have connection with the Inter-Lake Yachtint; Association ol which 
Commodore Tracy's yacht, the Dolomite ol Toledo, was the FlaR-Ship 
lor 190;?. The Toledo Canoe Club has also been in nourishing con- 
dition, with boat house on the kit shore at the mouth ol the river. 

Toledo is exceedingly lortunate in her waters lor commerce and 
lor all kinds of aquatic recreation. Coursing through her business 
center is the broad river with deej) water extending lor miles above the 
cit\', Irei' from uniiK'asant curnnt, while the widening Maumee Hay 
adjoining the city and extending an additional five miles below, opens 
into Lake Erie which is studded with island gems at varying distances 
to serve as goals, all aflording a variety and com])leteness unexcelled. 

Toledo in 19();{ exhibited inducements for the location of a rnit<d 
Statis Naxal Training School lor the Great Lakis b\ Maunu-e Hay or 
a few mill's distant on Put-in l')a\ Island near the iilace ol Commodore 
Perry's victory in iMP!. 

The United States Steamship Essex ol li)7.')tons displacement, which 
had birn in service on the .Atlantic Ocean since her comi)letion in isTC) and 
is vet in excellent condition, was loaned in 1904 to the Toledo members 
ol the First Battalion ol Ohio Naval Militia, usually styled locally the 
Toledo Naval Reserves, by the Navy Di>])artment lor training i>uriioses. 
This vessel is a man-of-war of the third rate, bark-rigged for sails and 
also carrying steam propulsion indicating HOO horse powder. Her length 
is 185 feet, with 35 feet beam and 14 feet draft of water. The Ohio 
Legislature, session of 1908-04, approjiriated !*93(H) for bringing this 
man-of-war to Toledo and maintaining her there for use of the Toledo 
Naval Militia. Orders were received by them :27th May, 1904, from 
Governor Myron T. Herrick through Adjutant General Critchfield, for 
Lieutenant Anthony J. Nicklett, four officers and forty petty officers 
and seamen, volunteers from the Toledo one hundred and ten members 
of the Naval Militia to jiroceed at once by railway to Portsmouth, New- 
Hampshire, and then- receive from the commandant of the United 
States Navy Yard chargi' of the United States Steamship Essex, which 
received recent improvements and repairs, and to conduct her to 
Toledo. She was manned entirely by these Toledo volunteers who 
required only the aid of ])ilots familiar with the Atlantic Coast, Gulf 
and River St. Lawrence, and Canals, through which she passed. This 
is the first United States Ship brought to the Great Lakes by militia. 
After many delays she arrived in the Maumee River at the Elm Street 
Wharf, Toledo, in the evening of August 7, 1904: and upon invitation 
the people generally were received aboard on the 9th. 



486 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Defiance also has had a number of citizens who loved the rivers, 
but the time has been very limited in which they could court and enjoy 
the pleasures of them. The rivers in and near this city afford the best 
of waters for small boats projielled by paddle, oars, steam and other 
modern powers : and a goodly number of such craft has been in 
occasional use. In 1880 a good canalboat was here fitted with steam 
power for pleasure purposes by a small party of friends. This boat 
was much enjoyed for a season or two after which it was sold for com- 
mercial use. ;\ promising boat club was organized in 1872 which 
gave a creditable regatta with shells in 1873. This attracted consider- 
able attention, liringing a glow and life l)efore unknown on these waters. 
The club, however, soon declined from removals and business engage- 
ments. In lH7fi another club was organized and named the Farragut 
Boat Club. Some accidents befalling the frail boats, and hunting 
desires diverting the leaders, this club also languished. 

An occasional modern steam launch was brought to these waters 
by individuals: and in 1891 the steamer Laur//3a was brought to Defiance 
for passenger traffic. She was a boat of graceful lines, built at Geneva, 
Ohio, steel hull 42 x 9 feet size, with carrying capacity of from 75 to 
115 persons. She was often chartered by fishing and hunting parties, 
and for runs about the rivers, and for long distance e.xcursions through 
the canal, being well patronized. She was sold in the fall of 1902 and 
shipped by car to Louisiana for use on the Latannier River of the Mis- 
issippi Delta. A flat bottom steamer, the Goldie, was built at Defiance 
in the winter of 1899-1900, with large stern paddle wheel mostly above 
the water like many of the boats in the southern rivers. She would 
carry from 175 to 200 people, and became popular. She was sold to 
Napoleon parties in the summer of 1901 for use principally on the 
Maumee between Napoleon and Girty Island ; and she has been run 
back to Defiance, through the Miami and Erie Canal, when wanted 
there on special occasions. Boats have often come up the canal from 
Toledo to ply on the Defiance slackwater in passenger traffic. These 
have been comparatively small boats, but they have given much 
pleasurable recreation to thousands of passengers, without physical 
injury, both of which features are not small items in the affairs of life. 
.\ number of houseboats have, also, been in use along the central 
Maumee and the Canal. These had beginning here with the cabins on 
floats placed in the timber rafts early in the second half of the nine- 
teenth century, in which the raftsmen carried their cooking utensils, 
and where they slept at night. After the completion of the Miami and 
Erie Canal in 1843, and with the rafting through it, these cabins were 
better built to be returned by the horses that towed the rafts to Toledo. 
Manv of them formerly wintered at Defiance, being occupied bv a 



DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENT RIVERS. 487 

raftman's familv or 1)\- our or more l)acliflors. The owners ol tin later 
houseboats have wandered in them about the rivers and canal at will. 
The beauties and advantages of the Maumee River have thus iar 
been but little sunn, and been comparatively liul little appreciated by 
the masses since the making; o( the canals and the railroads. The 
residents alonn its course have, as \el, K^nerally been too busy in the 
very serious business of making their lives secure against the .Vbori^fi- 
nes : in clearing the forests to produce the necessaries of life: in the 
sharp competition for fortunes : and in various other work or diver- 
sions of a necessary, si)eculative, or of si)ortinj; character, to enjoy the 
attractions of the river and the bav as the\- will vet be appreciated. 

Thf I'Jivkr Sr. Joseph 

Has origin on the northwest side of the Maumee River Basin, in 
Hillsdale County, Michigan, most of the southern half of which county 
beins drained bv the several streams comjiosins its ht'adwaters. Its 
sources have altiliulc ol about in.'iO feet above the tide water and 477 
feet aliove Lake Krie. Some ol these streams spring from small lakes 
which are but short and easy portage distance from the headwaters ol 
its brother St. |ose])h River drainini; the northwestern part of the 
county and Howing westward into Lake Michigan, and of the three other 
rivers near-by, Hillsdale County being also drained in part by the head- 
waters of the Kalamazoo River in the nortti, the Grand River in the 
northeast, and the Tififin of this Basin in the east, thus giving origin to 
five rivers. From the principal source of the St. Joseph of the Maumee 
to its mouth at Fort Wayne, in direct line the distance is about one- 
hundred miles. It flows through the northwestern count>- of Ohio, 
Williams, and about thirty-five miles through northeastern Indiana, in 
a general southwestern direction on the southeast side of the com- 
mingled moraines and the Aboite Moraine, and along the west side of, 
and guided in its course by, tht- St. Joseph Moraine before descrilied. Its 
present channel is rejilete with short meanderings through the course of a 
much larger jsrehistoric stream. Tin average fall is about two feet per 
mile in its course through Indiana: but there were many sluggish ])laces 
in its current before the building of dams across its channel many years 
ago for milling jiurjioses. It has rather a narrow bottom, and its valley 
is cut through the till frorr^2r) to 0(1 feet. The area of the St. Joseph 
watershed is 1,1H2. 29 square miles, 24;i.ilfi being in Michigan, 22."). 4b in 
Ohio, and (lfl2.rt7 in Indiana. 

The tributaries of the St. Joseph, other than of a very local nature 
are important, but few in number. Burt Creek, a northeastern tribu- 
tary, drains Bird Lake and the southern part of Jefferson Township, 
Hillsdale County, Michigan. .\t the beginning of this outlet a dam has, 



488 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

during the past years, furnished water power for carding and sawing 
mills. The chief central tributar}- drains six lakes through the western 
part of Cambria Township, namely : Big Bear (see engraving ante page 
42), Wilson, Brock, Pike, Bear, Hog, and Cub Lake. A dam at 
Cambria Mills forms a large pond which has afforded jjower for impor- 
tant Houring and sawing mills. Thi- tributarx' next west forms the 
outlet of the Turner chain of four small lakes near the southwest corner 
of Reading Township. It formerly turned like mills at four or five 
places in Camden and Amboy Townshijis, Michigan; but in several of 
these places greater and more constant steam power has in later years 
been adoi)ted. Silver Creek, with its accc-ssions, flowing in a southerly 
course through the central and eastern parts of Hillsdale County, 
Michigan, receives Clear Creek from the west, south of the Michigan 
State line. On account of its nearness to the St. Joseph Moraine on 
the east all ]irominent later tributaries come from the westward. 

in the northeastern part ot Indiana there is a group of small lakes, 
the largest of which have the names Clear and Long, which have outlet 
through Michigan and Ohio into the St. Joseph -see engravings ante 
pages 40, 4;i. These lakes are popular summer resorts. Clear Lake 
is two miles long, over one mile wide, and with greatest depth of over 
one hundred feet. In Williams County, Ohio, Nettle and Eagle Creeks 
are received, the former having source in Nettle Lake which was 
formerly of considerable area. About a mile below this lake its outlet 
was, many years ago, raised b\' a dam which afforded water power to a 
small mill. Steuben County, Indiana, contains over one hundred intra 
and inter-morainic lakes which have names on the local map; and here 
is oni- of the best of places for the study of the geologic history of the 
formation and decline of such lakes. They are the 'kettle holes ' within 
and between these commingled morainic deposits, their great depth and 
extent with impervious clay bottoms and sides being the cause of their 
continued e.xistence. Most of these lakes drain westerly into the St. 
Joseph River of Lake Michigan, the southern headwaters of which are 
thus, like the northern, very near to those of the St. Joseiih of the 
Maumee. 

Fish Creek drains most of the eastern jiortion of Steuben Countw 
Its west tributary has source in Fish or Hamilton Lake which has 
a length of about two miles, a breadth (^ one mile, with uneven 
bottom giving depth of water to sixty-eight feet. Its elevation is 314 
feet above Lake Erie. The large area of this lake, furnishing a broad 
expanse of water visible at one sweep of the eye, its irregular outline 
and ]:)rominent islands, its bold shores of encircling moraines, and the 
beautx' and profusion of its aquatic vegetation, form a combination of 
characters which render it one of the most interesting and attractive in 



THE RIVER ST. JOSEPH AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. 489 

the State* - set- >n«ra\iiii; anfe pau' II. I l.miilton Laki' aiul Hall Lake 
iuar-li\ an- now (luni (I \'\ tin l-'(ul W a\ in- Water Power Company. 
The suKK>stion has been made to iisi lliem as reservoirs lor the wattr 
supjjU of the Citv of Fort Wayne tortv miles distant. About tin- year 
1H4(1 a dam om huiulKcl Int lony was built across the outlet ol this 
LaJve at Hamilton thus raising the lake's level ei^'ht feet and alfordinn 
Ifood water power to a Hourin^^ mill. Fish Creek is a considerable 
stream. It enters the St. losiph near lid^erton, Ohio, having cut a 
channel through glacial drill in places to the depth ol twenty-five to 
fortv feet below tlu' general hvi 1, In the earlv davs of the settlement 




IllK KIVER ST. JOSEPH AM) THE JiAI.TIMORE AND OHIO RAH.WAV BRIDC;!-: 

In southeastern DeKalb Comity. Indiana. Lookini; north 2Ist October, 19()1, from public bridue. 
Hroad Terraces outside the view, to tire riyht. extendiny to the crest of the St. Joseph Moraine two to 
three miles eastward. 



of this region a dam and mill were built near its mouth, both of wliich 
were long since s\vei)t away by the currents of flood, ice, and of time. 
The largest and the last important tributary of the St. .|osei)h River 
is Cedar Creek which has origin in Indian Lake, Cedar Lake, and several 
smaller bodies of water in DeKalb County, Indiana, with accessions of 
streams from the north, and from Nobk' County to the west. These 
lakes are being filled in by aquatic vegetation and natural accumulations, 



* See Dr. Charles R. Dryers Survey of Steuben Countv in the Indiana 17th Annual Geological 
Report. 1891. 



490 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



and afford intert-stins' studies of nature's lake-extinguishing processes. 
Already- much of the water line cannot well be api^roached on account 
of the soft, peaty bog surrounding it to a wide extent.'^ The crests of 
the moraines in the northwestern and western portions ol DeKalb 
County drained by Cedar Creek are nowhere less than 1000 feet above 
tide water, and- var\- from one hundred to one hundred and fiit\' feet 
above the Cedar Creek Valley, which Valley varies in width from one 
mile at Aldrich Lake to five miles in Butler Township. Cedar Creek 
affords water power bv dams at Cilovd, at Kells three and a hall miles 




THK RIVER ST. JOSEPH AT ROBINSON PARK 

Lookiilf noitli up the River June H. 1H(V>, six miles above Fort Wayne and one mile above the 
former Wabash and Erie Canal Feeder Dam across the River. 



above, Vanzille below, and at Cedarville, Allen County, Indiana, six 
miles below, and near where the Creek enters the River St. Joseph. 

The Valley of the St. Joseph in Indiana affords some of the best 
illustrations of river terracing in tne Maumee Basin. The St Joseph 
is one of the oldest rivers in the Basin. There is abundant evidence 
of its having existed in glacial times, long before the present Maumee 
River had existence. It then discharged larger quantities of water, at 
one time flowing at a level of fifty feet and more higher than now, with 



* See Chapter on Moraines. Also the Indiana 16th Annual Geological Report. pai;e lill. 



THE VALLEY AND BASIN OF ST. JOSEPH RIVER. 491 

outlet down tin \all( y ol tin Wabash Hivii. Its Vallc-y is well 
abutted with inoraims and iilulls and varies in width, averatiinK less 
than one-hall mile but ociasionallv extending to one mile and more, 
the fjeneral expanse beiny; west of the river. In the east bank in New- 
ville Townshi]), Allen County, there is a wide terrace twenty-five feet 
high, extending along the river for a distanci- of three miles. Near the 
crossing of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad there are three terraces. 
In fact the moraines, the i-rosions in the drift, the washings, the sand 
dunes, and the clay knobs of the St. joseiih afford interesting studies in 
glacial and fluvial history. 

.\t Hursh and at l^eo, about three miles apart, above the mouth 
of Cedar C'rei-k, there are dams with flouring mills yet in operation. 
.M)out six miles by river above the mouth of the St. Josei)h a dam was 
built b\ the State of Indiana in 1832-33 to supply water for the Wabash 
and ICrie Canal southwest and northeast of Fort Wayne. The slack- 
water of this dam affords delightful ojiportiuiity for pleasure boating 
wliich is Well utilized, |j\ numerous boats varying from tin- canoe to 
the steamer, at Kobmson f'ark one mile above the dam: and the 
former Canal I'l cth r has latterly given water-power to the electrical 
plant in I'ort Waxni. The upper St. |osei>h and its tributaries were 
taken into considt ration as sources of water suppl\ in the proi)osed 
enlargement of the Miami and Erie, and the former Wabash and Erie, 
Canals with favorable rei)ort. See Chapter on these Canals. 

There was formerl\ a mill-dam about one mile below the State 
dam, sui)pl\-ing i)o\ver to .\ntra])'s Mill. Near the mouth of t+ie 
St. Joseph in Fort Wa\ne the channel is about 3tH) feet in width: and 
it was here dammed in early days tor mill i>urposes. 

P)i iny (leiiveil liDiii lakes and springs, and flowing over a bed com- 
y)Osed more largely of sand and gravel th;in the otlur rivers in the 
Basin, the waters of tlu- St. Joseph average clearer, and maintain a 
greater relative volume in dry seasons than the others, the minimum 
natural flow at its numth beins; 4ltltt' cubic feet per minute. In t;mes 
of highest floods its waters with those of the St. Mary rise to a level 
within ten feet of the summit of the divide between' thc' Maumee and 
the Waliash in the ancient drainage channel of the Maumee Glacial 
Lake. 

The name St. josepli was given to this river by the French at an 
early date. Some of thi' Aborigines called it We-a Se-jx- or Sejion, 
the River of the Wea band ol Miamis who were then b\- it. 

TiiK l\r\KR Si. M\uv 

Drains the southwestern i)art of the Maumee River Basin, its eastern 
headwaters sjiringing near the western source of the .\uglaise River. 



492 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Its headwaters consist principally of Clear, Mudd\-, Center, Clark, and 
West, Creeks, which last-named was near the eastern headwaters of the 
Wabash River before their absorptinn In the Grand or Mercer Reservoir 
for the Miami and Erie Canal. These streams originate in Shelby and 
Auglaisi' Counties, Ohio, and there is hut short portage from them, 
particularh Irom West Creek, over the divide to the south to Loramie 
Creek, tributary to the Miami River. This was the principal portage 
path between the waters tributarx' to western Lake Erie and those 
tributarv to the Ohio River other than that leading southwest of Fort 
Wavne to connect with the Wabash. The St. Mary was sometimes 
called the Miami of the Lake or the Maumee, considering it in name, 
as it is in fact, one of the headwaters of the Maumee. ' 

The highest altitude of these small streams is about 975 feet above 
tide water, 238 feet above the mouth of the St. Mary, and 40"2 feet 
above Lake Erie. Probabh there was temporary drainage of the 
Maumi-e Glacial Lake over this divide to the Miami River southward. 
This dividing ridge or watershed Ijetween the Maumee River Basin and 
the Mississippi River Basin, is the Salamonie Moraine — see map ante 
page 28. The River St. Mary at the City of St. Marys flows through 
a gap in the Wabash Moraine at the vertical erosion of sixt\-two feet, 
with sloping tianks to the crest the lateral erosion of which is about 
two miles in extent.! Most of this St. Mary Water Gap was made by 
the waters of the Maumee Glacial Lake draining across the Wabash 
Moraine and down the Wabash River. The cut was thus made deep 
enough, and the washings and deposits to the south side of the Moraine 
high enough, that upon the subsidence of the Lake the land drainage 
waters reversed the flow, thus forming this part of the River. 

Father Bonnecamps, the diarist of Captam de Celeron's expedition 
through Ohio in 1749, writes t that "a little more than half way [from 
the mouth of Loramie Creek to Fort Miami at the head of the Maumee 
River 'live days journey by land'] we began to skirt the River of tht- 
Miamis [the St. Mary] which was on our left. We found therein large 
crabs in abundance. From time to time we marched over vast prairies, 
where the herbage was sometimes of extraordinary height." 

About the vear 1783 James Girty, with his Shawnee wife Betsey, 
settled in a palisaded trading post at the site of the present City of St. 
Marys, and a mongrel village formed around which received the name 
Girty Town. Here he held for several years a monopoly of the trade 
with the Aborigines, having the peltries received in trade boated to 



''■'■ See the Chapter on the Auglaise River for description of the near-by portages eastward : also 
the Chapter on the Miami and Erie Canal for further description of this St. Mary-Loramie Portage, 
t See Early History of Auglaise County by .1. D. Simkins, page 97. 
i The Jesuit Relations. Cleveland edition, volume Ixix. page 1H9. 



THE RIVER ST. MARY AND ITS HISTORY. 



495 



Dilruit li\ \v;i\ ol tlu' St. Marx and Maiiiiui.- Kivtrs, and rcceiviriK his 
sii]ii)lies up till- samt- channel. At tin- coniinu of Gtncial Harmar's 
arm\- in IT'.ld, ht- boated his stock in trade to the head of the Maumee 
and thence to the site of the present Cit\- of Defiance, where he remained 
until thi' approach of General \Va\ne in 17!t4. 

t'"()rt St. Marys, built 1>\- (jeneral \\'a\ ue lati- in ITl'l or early in 
171'."), and Fort Barbee built b\ Colonel Joshua Barbee in Se])tember 
and October, l^l'J, occupied about the same site on the wist bank of 




miam: (Kossinc, hi- thi; ki\kk st. mak". 

Tilt! \'illaire to tile rear was later called Slianesville. and now Rockford. Mercar County. Ohio. 
Lookin(> west of north on a rainy niorniny 29th .^pril, 1903. down tlie former river channel, now closed by 
the roadway on the rinht built in 1891. and across the river at the historic crossing (fordinKJ place. The 
old inili buildiny on the left marks the site of the first lo« building used by Anthony Shane (Chesne/ as a 
tradini; station and tavern. His Reservation was beyond the river — along the north iriyht) bank. 

the river just below the union of the creeks before mentioned. Other 
storehouses for army supplies were built in fortified camii near-liv for 
the War of 1H12. Supplies for Fort Wayne were boated down tin St. 
Mary : also those for Forts Defiance, Winchester, and Mei^s, durinjj 
wet seasons. In seasons of better roads, sup]>lies for the' three last 
named Forts were carried about twelve miles east of north across to the 
site of Fort Amanda to be boated down the larger .\u^laise River. 
Stockade stations were maintained at Fort .\dams, Shane Crossing 
the present Rockford, and about the present Decatur or within about 



494 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

twtnty milts of Fort Wayne, where boats could be lightened, or the 
loads increased according to the stages of water. About 100 barrels of 
fiour cajiacity was considered a large boat for the St. Mary ; and seven 
days time a good average run from St. Marys to Fort Waynv in 
moderate stages of water, the boat being tied up each night, .\fter the 
War of 1H12 settlers made use ot its watiTs and, u]) to the rom|)k'tion 
f>l th(_' Miami and Erie and Wabash and Krie Canals in 1^4."), thi- St. 
Marv River was a thoroughfare for sui)plies, and products. Adam 
Millman was one of the leaders in transportation, controlling a tleet of 
boats between St. Marys and the lower Maumee. 

The general course of the River St. Mary is northwest, tending 
somewhat in its general meander to the southward. In direct line its 
length is about sixty-five miles, and by way of the river's manv and short 
windings its length is over one hundred miles. It has an average fall 
of 2.38 feet per mile, being far less than this, even quite sluggish, in its 
course in Indiana; and its waters are sluggish and muddy in much of 
their course. Its watershed embraces 783.62 square miles, of which 
427.54 are in Ohio and 356.08 in Indiana. The channel averages less 
than two hundred feet in width in most of its course. It courses within 
four miles, on average, of the south side of the lateral St Mary Moraine 
named from it; and consequently it is fed on its north bank only by 
springs and runs of very local extent. 

Its watershed on the south is the north side of the Wabash Moraine 
and, being but ten to fifteen miles distant, the streams entering from the 
left are also of short length and small size. Black Creek and Twelve- 
mile Creek in Mercer County, Ohio, and Blue Creek in Adams County, 
Indiana, being the largest: hence the highest rise in the river seldom 
overflows the general banks of its channel. This channel generally 
beds in the glacial drift, seldom more than 25 feet in depth: but it 
touches Niagara Limestone at Mendon and again at Willshire, near the 
Indiana line. Several stone quarries have been, also, easily operated 
in later years at Decatur, Indiana. 

.At the south line of .Mien County, Indiana, the St. Mary Moraine 
on the north bank of the river rises to a height of eighty feet; then a 
more level surface prevails, to be succeeded by undulations, eskars, 
etc., to a height of nearl\- eighty feet near the river's mouth in the City 
of Fort Wayne. The regions of the lower river afford interesting 
opportunities for the study of its ancient channels, long since success- 
ivelv deserted. Xt the great bend of the river in Marion Township, 
Allen Countv, Indiana, is the first deserted channel, in descending the 
river, through which a branch or part of the river flowed northeast for 
a distance of seven or eight miles, into the Maumee Glacial Lake by 
the present Village of New Haven. The summit of this old channel is 



THE VALLEY AND BASIN OF THE RIVER ST. MARY. 495 

now iihout tin iL.t ;il>ov^ low water, so that tlK- hi>ibtst ris<- of tin- river 
vit sriuls sorrif water throunh this course, which is an erosion through 
the St. Mary Moraine. The near hanks of this old channel have an 
average height of fifteen feet: and the bottom of it is sixtv feet below 
the summit on lli, west, and iortv feet below that on the east. 
rrol.ablv th> w;il. r and the in- ol the Mai^mee Glacial Lake were the 
lust ti) ( ut tliinus^h tins moraine and, later as the Lake subsided, the 
river reversed tin How. Another ancient channel is found on the other 
(lett) bank ol the ])resent river, about five miles lielow the first. This 
was the way ol the river's discharge, at one period of its history, in a 
southwesterly direction about six miles to the last drainatfe channel 
south and southwest of the Maumee Glacial Lake, leading; to the 
Wabash River. This second al)andoned channel is about fifteen feet 
aiiove the river's present channel. .\ third deserted channel, of lower 
level and consequently of later use, has oritfin one mile below the 
second and courses westward two and one-half miles to the same outlet 
as the second. The width of these abandoned channels is, of the first 
mentioned, one-quarter of a mile in its first part and one mile and a half 
wide in its lower part: ol the second, one-half mile : and of the third one 
quarter mile wide. The region around these deserted channels affords, 
also, an interesting study in eskars or osars, kames, and in post-glacial 
ridtfes — see ante pa^'' -t-'^- 

Near the center ol \\'a\nc Township, .Mien County, Indiana, the 
St. Mar\ River has underniinrd tlie crest of the St. Mar\- Moraine for 
a mile or more and, returning to the southern ed^^e, it then follows the 
southeast hank ol the Maumee Glacial Lake outlet for another mile or 
more until its waters unite with those of the River St. Josejih in the 
Citv ol Fort \\'a\ne. It was at the extreme western bend of the St. 
Mary within this city that the Portage Path of the Maumee-Wabash 
travel bet;an see map ante page 97. 

Different mill-sites have been utilized alon^ the St. Mary. The 
first dam and mill w-ere built in 18^:^ at the present Willshire, Ohio, 
near the Indiana line, by Captain James Riley one of the United States 
land surveyors. The short rapids at this point in the river were then 
known as The Devil's Race Ground. Samuel Hanna and James 
Barnett built a dam and mill in lH:>4-'2;") about three miles from Fort 
Wavne which later became known as the Beaver Mill. .Ki Williams- 
jiort. about ten miles above F"ort Wayne, a dam and Rrist miU were 
built: also at the north part of the present Village of Decatur, .\dams 
County, Indiana, as late as the IStiO's, and another at Pleasant Mills, 
five miles above Decatur. These early dams afforded better boating 



' See the Sixteenth Annual Geological Report for Indiana, pa^e 112. 



496 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

waters above them, but each one necessitated a portai^e around the 
dam that was annoying to the boatmen. The minimum volume of the 
contribution ol the St. Mary to the Maumee is from 1500 to 2000 cubic 
feet oi water jnr minuti-, it being Uss than one-half that of the 
St. Josei)h. 

The Rivers St. Mar\- and St. Joseph were named bv the F"rench 
who e.xplored them earl\' in their visits to the head ol the Maumee in 
the seventeenth renturx . Tin St. Mary was later sometimes called 
Fickawav Ri\ir, and the Delaware .\borigine towns by its lower 
course were called Pickaway Towns, because these Aborigines came 
from Pickawav, Ohio. In common with other rivers, it was sometimes 
called Ottawa River on account of some Ottawas dwelling bv it. The 
Shawnees called it Ca-ko-the-ke Sepe or Kettle River, but neither of 
these names became common. 

Thk AiuM.AisK River and its Tribi takies, the Ottawa, Blan- 
cHARi), AND Little .\i;(;i,aise River. 

The Auglaise River originates in the western part of Hardin, 
southeastern part of Allen, and the southern part of Auglaise County, 
Ohio, at the southern and southeastern parts of the Maumee River 
Hasin : also at the crest of the Salamonie Moraine which is here the 
divide between Lake Erie and the Ohio River. The greatest altitude 
of the divide in this region is 486 feet above Lake Erie and 1059 feet 
abovt- tide water. The general course of this river is but little 
\\c;l of north, and the distance fiom its source to its mouth in the 
Miiunue River within tit Cil\' of Dt fiance is about fifty-five miles in 
direct Hik', and 1 \- wa\- ol the river's channel seventy-four miles or 
more. The average fall of the river jiroper is 4.4 feet per mile, it having 
generalK the most raiiid current in the Basin. The Auglaise River 
and its tributaries drain an area of "J,50r!.f)iJ stjuare miles. 

The name .\uglaise was api)lied to this river by the French in the 
seventeenth centurv, it being the first of the rivers in the Basin to 
receive permanent name. The first record of it lound b\ the writer is 
in a descrijjtion of the Maumee River under date 171H, see a/lfepage 466. 
The French word glaise means clay, and loam, the character of the 
river's banks at Defiance, and of the water of the .Auglaise River at 
its month there as first seen. The article au (contraction of ale) sig- 
nifies to or at the, hence Riviere au Glaise denotes the river to the 
glaise, iir tin- river at or of the clay and loam banks. The region of its 
debouchement into the Maumee was later often termed Le Grand Glaise, 
also its lower course, to distinguish them from the Little .\uglaise 
River ( La Riviere Petit au Glaise ) its largest tributary from the west. 
The Aborigines sometimes called it the River of the Falling Timber 



THE AUGLAISE RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. 497 

from tlif erosion f)f tin- hanks unciir lar^f trees, the Shawnee words for 
this heinu Cow-the-nah-ke Sipe, and the Wyandot, Ous-(juas-run-de ; 
but they were not of general use. 

The main travel from the east and north to the southwest in early 
times probably continued up the Maumee River and down the Wabash; 
but no inconsidirabli- ])art turned up the Auglaise and passed down the 
Miami, or continued further up the Aujjlaise and over portages to the 
Mad River or to the' Scioto. The most southern tributaries of the 
Auglaise, Pusheta Creek and (Quaker River a yet smaller stream named 
from the Quaker mission school on its banks (see ante iiage i59o) have 
source near Loraniie Creek and yet nearer Wolf Cn-ek, both of which 
are the principal of the headwaters of the larger Miami River. A 
traveler in the year 1H03 mentions the Auglaise and the Portage Path 
of the divide as follows: 'The Au Glaise, one of the branches [tribu- 
taries] of the Miami of the Lake [the Maumee] sometimes called 
Omee and Maumick, is navigable with canoes to the ])ortage towards 
the head of Loraniie Creek, a head watei of tin- Great Miami, '{"he 
portage is three miles. It is said that in the time of the s])ring floods 
the waters of thtse two rivers are blended.'* This blending of the 
rivers was through somewhat of a jirairie marsh. 

The accessions to the .Vuglaise in Auglaise and .Mien Counties are 
from springs and of a local nature. In .\uglaise County the river banks 
average from ten to fifteen feet above the summer stage of water, other 
than at the watergaps through the Wabash and St. Marv Moraines and 
the glacial lake beaches (drainage channels of the Maumee Glacial 
Lake) where the banks vary from 2.") to .")() feet in height— see Moraine 
Map page 2m, and illustration of Wapakoneta. It was at the Auglaise 
Water Gap through the St. Mary Moraine that General Wayne built 
Fort .Vuglaise 'at the head of navigation' late in 1794 or early in 1795 
— see ante page 218. This was also the site of Fort .Vmanda in the 
War of 1812 — see page 289. The channel is eroded to the native rock 
onjy at one place in Auglaise County, in Logan Township, where the 
Onondaga Limestone (Waterlime ) appears. The river also touches 
this rock several places in Allen and Putnam Counties. In the channel 
near the middle of Jackson Township, Putnam Countv, there is a 
boulder of Corniferous Limestone near the left bank which measured 
fifteen feet above ground before two large pieces were blasted from it 
a few years ago — see ante page 35. In Jackson and Perrv Townships, 
Putnam County, within the distance of four miles, the Auglaise receives 
two material additions, of the Ottawa and Blanchard Rivers. 



* The Journal of a Tour into Ihe Territory Northwest of the Allegheny Mountains. Made in the 
Spring of the Year 1805. by Thaddeus Mason Harris. A. M.. pace 115. For description of this divide 
see Chapters on the moraines, and the Miami and Erie Canal. 



498 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



The Ottawa River* springs from the former Hog Creek Marsh in 
Hardin County and is augmented by tributaries arising in Auglaise, 
Hancock, and Allen Counties. It flows through the City of Lima on 
the rock, the banks of its course occasionally rising to a height of 
thirty feet. Its tributaries also often expose the Ohio Shale and the 
Onondaga Limestone: and an occasional exposure of the Niagara 
group is seen. The first general course of the Ottawa is westward, 
and then to the northward, receiving considerable additions from the 
southeast in Putnam County by Sugar Creek and Plum Creek. In 
1836 Messrs. Guthrie and Sarber built a dam across the Ottawa and a 

flouring mill at Kalida, about 
three miles above its entrance 
into the Auglaise. This was 
the second mill built in this 
region. The water in the Otta- 
wa becomes very low in dry 
seasons and much iiolluted 
with the sewage of the City of 
Lima, including refuse from a 
pajier manufactory and other 
mills. This has had disastrous 
effect on fish and most other 
forms of aquatic animal life. 
A narrow channel has been cut 
in the rock bed of this stream 
through Lima to deepen and 
facilitate the flow of sewage. 
In high stages of water this river has done considerable damage to 
residences and manufactories along its rather narrow flood plains, the 
flood of April 1, 1904, being reported the most injurious of all, the 
water then being two feet higher than ever before noted.! 




MEANDER OF THE BLANCHARD RIVER 
in Central Putnam County. 



* The Ottawa River of the Auglaise was formerly called Hog Creek from the large number of 
hogs that flourished along its banks, a drove being abandoned there by an army contractor in the War of 
1812 on account of his being pursued by the savages. Another account regarding the source of these 
hogs, is as follows: Alexander M'Kee the British Aborigine Agent had a force at the Machachac towns 
by the Mad River during the incursion against the savages of General Logan from Kentucky in 1786; and 
they were obliged to move towards Canada, which they did with the plunder accumulated from the 
American settlements but abandoned the hogs at this stream. See, also. Henry Howe's Historical 
Collections of Ohio The later Aborigines called the stream Kosh-ko Se-pe, meaning Hog River. 
Andrew Colfinberry. in his poem entitled T/je Forest Rangers, refers to this region of the river as 
Swinonia. 

t A United States Water Gage was placed in the Ottawa River at Lima in November, 1902. There 
are different streams called Ottawa in and near this Basin, and confusion often results therefrom. 
Ottawa River on the north line of the Basin, draining part of Lenawee and Monroe Counties, Michigan, 
and more of Lucas County, Ohio, flows into Maumee Bay at the Ohio-Michigan line with a deep channel 
in its lowest course, it being of the ' drowned river ' series like the Maumee. The name came from the 
Ottawa Aborigines who were much along these streams. 



THE OTTA WA AND BLANGHARD IN AUGLAISE BASIN. 499 

The Blanchard /?/ver is the larnest tributary of the Auglaise; and 
it is named Auglaise on some of the older maps. Its sources are in the 
eastern part of the Basin, draining a small part of Seneca and Wyandot 
Counties, and more of Hardin and Hancock. The principal tributaries 
in its ui>per course are Lye, Kagle, and Ottawa Creeks, all entering 
from the south. Its general course is northward to the southern slope 
of the Uetiance Moraine in the eastern-central part of Hancock County, 
and thence westward. The City of Findlay (see engraving in descrip- 
tion of HancockCounty ) and the Village of Ottawa are built on its banks. 



» 


^ ,1. '''^^■i- ^..^^^^^LmM ^^SSSal^^^^ 


•1 


'^^ ^Bi^l^ 






■:y~:'f!^fi . • , 


M ' ^^^i^^^^^^^^^^^^H^s Wfli^^HEESuiK 



CASCADE NEAR CLOVERDALE. HERRV TOWNSHIP. PUTNAM COl NTV. OHIO 

Lookinc south, up the .Auglaise River at Kilcannon Rapids, low stage of water 29th May, 1903. The 
former Myers' flouring mill, high dam, and slackwater, show beyond the wagon bridge. The Bridge of 
the Findlay, Fort Wayne and Western Railway (now operated by the C. H. & D. Ry. Co.) crosses a few 
rods below. Cascade Park, a summer resort, is beyond the mill. 



The River being very tortuous in its course, particularly at Ottawa, parts 
of these towns have suffered considerably from floods. The highest flood 
known up to that time culminated 2Kth February, 1903, the water then 
being ten inches higher than in February, 1883, which was the highest 
water noted up to that date. A part of Findlay was flooded, and the 
press dispatches reported three men drowned thereby in and near the 
citv. There were about as high floods, also, the latter part of Janu- 
ary, the first and last parts of March and the :^nd April, 1904, the last 
being the highest. The area drained by the Blanchard is 924.47 square 



500 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



miles; and a United States Water Gage was placed in the river at 
Ottawa in November, 1902, to determine the quantity of run-off. This 
river was frequently traversed by the earlier French. The name 
Blanchard is that of one of the early French settlers, a tailor by trade — 
and from this the Aborigines called it the Shah-po-quah-te Se-pe or 
Tailor River. The French called it navigable to the site of the present 
City of Findlay, about forty miles above its mouth. The Blanchard 




LOOKING bOLTH ACROSS THE .MOl'TIl OF ULANXHAKD KIVHK O.N TIIL I.KFT 

And up the Auglaise on the right 29th May, 1902. Here, and below, is a long stretch of deep water and 
beautiful river scenery. In Perry Township, Putnam County, Ohio. 



has generally been called a sluggish stream, but several dams across 
the river and its tributaries have furnished, at good stages of water, 
fair water power for the small mills built in pioneer times, John D. 
Bishop built a sawing and a flouring mill on Eagle Creek in Eagle 
Township, Hancock County, in 1832, at which place mills have been 
operated nearly every year since that date. Dams and mills were built 
on the Blanchard in Delaware, Marion and P'indlay Townships. Two 
and one-half miles below Findlay the dam is two hundred feet in length 
and five feet in height, its slackwater extending to the city. A flouring 
mill has been in operation by this dam for many years. Joseph Stout 
built a dam and flouring mill on Riley Creek at Pandora in the south- 
eastern part of Putnam County in 1835 In 1837 Elisha Stout built a 



THE AUGLAISE RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. 



501 



ilaiii ;uul llourmt; iiiill on tin- Hlancliard at CJillioa in tlu' c-astt-rn part of 
Putnam County. Tlust mills, and the one above near P'indlay, ground 
corn and wheat for sonif ot the early settlers in Paulding County, and 
for pioneeis in more distant places. The main tributaries of the 
Blanchard in Putnam County are Riley and Cranberry Creeks the beds 
of wliirh, with that of the river, show fn(|uint exposures of Onondaga 




THE LITTLE AUGLAISE RIVER 

Looking upstream from near its mouth toward the site of the lirsl tiouriny and sawiny mills in Pauldine 
County. Ohio, 



Limestone. The river at Findlay and its more eastern tributaries are 
eroded to the Niagara Limestom.'. 

The Auglaise River has rapids in Perry Township, Putnam County, 
three miles below the mouth of the Ottaw-a River and a mile above the 
Blanchard, which received the name of Kilcannon Rapids the name of 
one of the first settlers in this region. Samuel Myers from Maryland 
purchased the land thereabout and in 1834 constructed a dam across 
the river. A sawing mill was built at the west end of the dam, and in 
1840 a flouring mill was completed at the east end. The dam was 
destroyed by ice and flood, and a second one was completed in I860. 
The first frame of the flouring mill yet stands but it has been resided 



502 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



and recovered. These were among the earlier mills for a great extent 
of country during many j'ears. At the building of the Findla\', Fort 
Wayne and Western Railroad in 1892, a town was platted at this place 
and named Cascade, since which time this part of the river has been 
much frequented by summer pleasure seekers. 

In the year 1836 Doctor Jacob Dewees platted a town on the left 
bank of the Auglaise a short distance above the mouth of the Blanch- 
ard, which he named Franconia. He also built a dam across the 




THE MOUTH OF THE LITTLE AUGLAISE RIVER 

Looking northward down stream, and across the Auglaise which begins about 11X> feet beyond the Bridge. 
The view overlooks the military road along the left (proximal) bank of the Auglaise. the route of General 
Wayne's army to Defiance in 17SM. and of many of the soldiers during the War of 1812. Fort Brown was 
situated along the banks of these rivers at the point to the right of the Bridge. This view and its mate 
on page 501 were taken 39th May. 1902. in an exceeding high w'ind. with Camera at full diaphragm 
and exposure of 1-UXlth part of a second. Standpoints forty feet above the water. 



Auglaise at his projected village, and a mill. He did not build securely 
and, fortune and the floods proving adverse, he abandoned his work 
here in 1839. 

The Little Auglaise River is received as an important tributary of 
the Auglaise from the south-southwest in Brown Township, Paulding 
County, five miles below the mouth of the Blanchard. This river's 
headwaters and tributaries, from the southwest, are Dog Creek and Town 
Creek flowing through the City of Van Wert, Maddox, Hagerman and 
Prairie Creeks, which drain the most part of Van Wert County and the 
southeastern part of Paulding County. 



THE AUGLAISE RIVER. ITS VALLEY AND BASIN. 505 

Thu other triluit;iri. s ot tlu- Au^'laisu Rivt-r in Paulding, other than 
of very local nature, all How north.ast and are as follows: Blue Creek 
from northwest Van Wert County: Crooked or Flat Rock Creek, drain- 
ing,' southeastern Allen Countv, Indiana, and intervening,' territory: 
LittK Flat Rock Creek: and Six-Mile Creek, from Indiana, north of 
Crooked Creek. The north tributary of Six-Mile Creek is often within 
one mile of the Maumee River, which River the Creek nearly parallels 
tor about thirtv miles— see maps pages 28 and 4r)(). 




LOOKING NOKTH DOWN THE AUGLAISE RIVER 

Mav 29. 1902. The Village of Charloe inamed from an Aborigine chief; Paulding County. Ohio, is on ihe 
left beyond the bridge. This is the site ot one of the Ottawa towns mentioned in the Diary of General 
Wayne's Campaign in 1794; and after the wars Otiawas returned here and remained until their removal 
to their Kansas Reservation. Their cornfields were on the lower lands on the right bank. In the treaty . 
the .Aborigine village is styled Chief Occonoxee's Village or town. Charloe was for several years the 
second seat of justice for this region — see description of Paulding County. 



About the year 1840 Doctor Jacob Dewees came from the mouth 
of the Blanchard and built a dam across the Auglaise in the Northeast 
Quarter of Section Nine, Defiance Township. He also built a flouring 
mill on the left bank. The high waters carried away the dam and 
injured his mill, and he discontinued his efforts here after a year or two, 
as he had done at Franconia above. 

In the autumn and winter of 1902-03, surveys were made of the 
lower rapids of the Auglaise River to determine the amount of its 



504 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



available water power for the generation of electricity, and the feasi- 
bility of developing it. The reports of the surveyors were very favorable, 
and the Auglaise River Power Company was organized in June, 1903, 
with capital stock of $200,000; but construction work has been delayed. 
In Mav, 1903, a Water Gage was placed at the English Bridge across the 
Auglaise in Defiance Township, by United States authority, for daily 
record of the flow; and the last of November, 1904, a more complete 
Gage was placed by the Hopkins Street Bridge across the Auglaise 
in Defiance. 

Powell Creek is the only important tributary of the Auglaise River 
in Defiance Countv. This, with its several feeders including North 




THE AUGLAISE RIVER AND TWO OF ITS SMALL ISLANDS 

In the Southeast part of Section 34. Defiance Township. Lookine east 20th October. 1901. into the 
mouth of Powell Creek which extends from the white bank on the rieht to near the timbered land 
on the left. 



Creek and South Creek, drains the northwest part of Putnam and the 
southeast part of Defiance County. Many years ago a dam and sawing 
mill were built on this creek in Section Nineteen, Highland Township, 
Defiance County, which have done efficient work during good stages of 
water; but in dry seasons the water ceases to flow. After an extreme 
meandering course of a general northwest direction Powell Creek enters 
the Auglaise River one mile above (south of) Defiance City limits the 



PECULIAR FEATURES OF LOWER AUGLAISE RIVER. 505 

chaniK-l, liki- tliat of tlu- Auglaise at this i>larc, luinn rorradcd into tliu 
thick bed of Oliio Shale. Thu erosions, flood-jilains, monadnocks or 
former island prominences that have withstood the general wear, and 
the irregular banks about this region art' interesting studies. Blodt;ett 
Island, sixtv acres in extent, tlie most important island of the Auglaise 
system, is in this region just below the mouth of Powell Creek — see 
illustration ante page .")!'. 

The Auglaise River discharjies large tjuantities of water in wet 
seasons, but is greatly reduced in dry seasons. In fact it became a dead 
river, that is ceased to (low, tnini man\ iiiiKs south to its tiiouth during 
the season of great drouth trom the latter i)art of July, during August, 
and until near the middle part of Sejjtemlier, IHH;"), according to per- 
sonal observation and notes made at the time by the writer. Pioneers 
have assured the writer that the Auglaise ceased to flow also in the 
exceeding dry summer of 1h;!H. The waters of this river, and many of 
its tributaries, have worn through the Glacial Drift in many places. 
Through Paulding and Defiance Counties the river bed is corraded into 
the Onondaga and Corniferous Limestone almost continuouslv ; with 
frequent quartzose boulders that have been washed from the Drift, 
strewing the channel. A very large, probably the largest, granite boul- 
der lies in dee]) water about half mile below the Frances Street Bridge 
in the City of Defiance. On account of the rocks in the channel of 
shallower water the evaporation during the hot summer davs is very 
great. Also, from the past failure of shallower springs and wells in 
seasons of drouth, thousands ol barrels of water have been hauled from 
the streams for family use, and live stock has been driven to them from 
great distances, all being material causes of their de])letion. 

I'ntil the building of tln' Miami and Erie Canal, and railroads in 
their vicinit\', the Auglaise River and its larger tributaries were import- 
ant thoroughfares. Large pirogues, flatboats, and rafts of timber, 
carried products to Defiance, and the boats were returned laden with 
merchandise and other necessaries for the increasing settlements along 
their banks, and for much inland country as well. 

The public roads along these streams have been greatly improved 
the last few years, and now afford delightful drives, with frequent and 
beautiful changing views, along their banks. The slackwater from the 
Ohio State Dam across the Maumee, four miles and a half below the 
mouth of the Auglaise, extends about three miles up this river and, in 
connection with the Maumee and the Tiffin, affords the best of waters 
for the use of smaller pleasure boats. 

The Tiffin River 

Has origin in the northwestern and western parts of Lenawee Countv, 
Michigan, and the eastern part of Hillsdale County. Several streams 



506 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



of its headwaters come from small lakes, the largest of which are 
named the Horseshoe, Devils, Posey, and Bear, in Lenawee, and Lake 
Mallory and Lime Lake, in Hillsdale County. A number of the lakes 
in this region are without visible outlet, their level being regulated by 
percolation through the sand and gravel composing their beds and 
shores. Springs thus abound which serve as feeders of the river, the 
waters of which in its upper course being therefrom clearer than in 
most of the streams in the Maumee Basin; and a more uniform flow is 




THE VILLAGE OF HLUSON, MICHIGAN, AND IHPER \'ALLEV OF TIFFIN RIVER 

LookinR northeast from the Tower of the High School Building late afternoon of 5lh July, 1903, in high 
wind. The standpoint is on the highest of the many knoU extensions of the St. Joseph Moraine and its 
beaches, about KX) feet above the river, and about on level with the horizon, that to the ritjht being of 
the Defiance Moraine. 



maintained, also partly from the less relative evaporation on account of 
there being a less number of boulders, washed from the drift, in 
its channel. 

The western headwaters of the Tiffin River are quite near those of 
the St. Joseph of the Maumee, the St. Joseph of Lake Michigan, the 
Kalamazoo, and the Grand River; and its eastern sources are quite near 
those of the River Raisin. Along and between the headwaters of these 
several rivers the tide of Aborigine wanderings, to and fro along the 
portage paths, was considerable, from time immemorial. 



THE TIFFIN RIVER. ITS COURSE AND CHANNEL. 507 

Tlu- mouth of till.' Tiffin is directly south from its most nortlK-rn 
source. It debouches into the Maumce River one mile and a half above 
the mouth of the AuK'aise, thi' three rivers at and between these points 
beinsi within the City of Defiance. The i)resent Maumee slackwater for 
the Miami and firie Canal uses, extends about two miles ui> tlie 
Tiffin . 

The Tillin's bed is wiiolly in the Glacial Drift to within four miles 
of its mouth wiure it exposes the Ohio Shale, here of tlu' darker color; 



3 / -:> 












it*" 




t 








•isir' y 




)amm''LM 


i^ 




fli 


1^ ,,kT 




:^> ■^,. 


>l 








i^iffiitt. 


tIML 










rf 


ilJ 


F^m 




t^amM 


ri. 


-.■■•% 


,. 3X 


^ %4^ 








;1 


1 


tl 


I 


im 







A GLI.Ml'Sh OK TlFl-IN K1\LK 

Lookinc east up the River in the south part of Section Four Koble Township. Ohio, 24th October, 
1901. The two small white spots in the distant water are Corniferous Limestone Boulders, the last seen 
in going up the River. 



and in places the corrasions extend into the Corniferous Limestone.* 
Its course is often very tortuous, doubling upon itself usuallv in short 
bends, (see map of its meander under heading Public Lands) at first 
generally inclining somewhat eastward into Fulton County, Ohio, and 
then westward, but at no point extending much further than six miles 
east or west from a central north and south line. The distance from 
its source to its mouth in direct line is about fiftv-five miles, and by 
way of its channel eighty miles and more. The average fall in the 



♦These formations are termed Huron Shale, and Hamilton Shaly Limestone in the early Geo- 
logical Surveys. 



508 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

river proper is about four feet per mile.* The channel in Fulton 
County is between the First and Second, and in Defiance County 
between the First and Third Glacial Lake Beaches — see nia]i ante 
page 28. 

The Tiffin is usually termed a narrow and deep river with frequent 
precipitous banks, rising in some places to forty feet or more in height, 
first on one side and then on the other according to the trending and 
erosion of the current. The opposite, advancing, shore shows usually 
but a small skirt of peneplain or bottom land; but at the longest and 
most narrow bends, where the current has cut through the narrow neck, 
shortened its course, and worn away the high ground intervening be- 
tween the former and the new channel, as in the north part of Defiance 
County, the extent of this lower level eroded land or made shore admits 
the river to spread its waters to near one mile in width in time of 
greatest floods. In highest floods the water rises twenty feet or more; 
and in the dryest seasons there is neither record nor tradition of its 
having been a dead river, that is the current has not ceased to flow, 
like many of the smaller western rivers. t In May, 1903, a Water Gage 
for daily record of flow was placed by United States authority under 
the county bridge one mile above the county bridge at Brunersburg, in 
Noble Township, Defiance County. 

The Tiffin's principal tributaries are Beach Creek from the east 
and Deer Creek from the west in Fulton County, Ohio; Leatherwood 
and Beaver Creeks from the west, and Brush Creek from the east in 
Williams County: with Lick Creek a perpetual stream, Mud, and 
Buckskin Creeks from the west, and Webb Creek from the east in 
Defiance County. The tributaries from the east drain the westward 
slope of the Defiance Moraine north of the Maumee River, and those 
from the westward drain the northeastern slope of the St. Joseph 
Moraine. 

The Tiffin, like the larger rivers of the Maumee Basin, was much 
traversed by the Aborigines, the early French, the Coureurs de Bois and 
other traders, and by the Colonists. From the beautiful cove appear- 
ance of the mouth and lower waters of the Tiffin, and the plentiful 
natural growth of beans along its fertile banks, the French early gave it 
thf name Anse des Eeves Cove or Creek of the Beans, and Grique Fhve 
Bean Creek in English : and so it is yet called by many farmers along 
its course notwithstanding the fact that at the United States Survey 



* In the Second Report of an Investigation of the Rivers of Ohio as Sources of Public Water 
Supply, by the Ohio State Board of Health, 1899. page 126, it is stated that the Tiffin has a length of 
about sixty-tive miles, with an averace fall of 4..5 feet per mile. Its watershed is also there given as 669 
square miles. 

t This information has been obtained by the writer from farmers who have resided on the banks of 
the Tiffin smce the year 1830. 



THE TIFFIN RIVER, ITS NAMES AND MILLS. 



509 



and Platting nl tin lands in this rit,'i"n in 1H2(V2'2, it was officially 
given tlu- name Tiffin Rivtr in honor of the thc-n Surveyor General of 
the West, l-:d\vard Tif'lin, M. D., who had served Ohio well as the first 
Governor, then United States Senator, etc. The north central Land 
and Civil Township in Defianct^ Count\ , through whicii this river flows, 
was also given the name Tiffin. 

In 1820-22 John Perkins Imilt a dam across the Tiffin Hiver tw^o 
miles above its mouth. .Vt the east end of this dam a primitive 'up 
and down' sawing mill was built, the only iron or steel about it being 
the straight saw: the connections, bearings and ])ins beinir made of 




THE .MAUMEE RIVER .\ND THE MOLTH OF THE TIFFIN 

Looking northwest within the City of Defiance. Ohio, 15th April. 1901. The course of the Nfaumec 
is seen in the distance. The army of General Wayne in 1794. and of General Winchester in 1812, 
encamped on the hiph bank of the Maumee inst back, and to the left, of this standpoint. 



hickory. It was soon in operation cutting plain boards for doors, roofs 
and floors for use in log houses, and lumber for the first frame houses 
built in Defiance, and in the \'illage of Brunersburg which soon sprung 
up at the west end of this dam. .\ grist i fiouring ) mill was soon 
(1822?) built at the west end of the dam. These were then the onlv 
water-power mills in the Basin, excepting possibly one at the Grand 
Rapids of the Maumee and one at Willshire on the St. Mar\ . They 
were patronized by settlers from great distances. As the number of 
settlers increased, Brunersburg became a very busy place. The 



570 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



general mode of conveying the grists to and from the mill was by boats 
— pirogues at first. They came down the Tiffin from Michigan, down 
the Auglaise, and from botli ways along the Maumee. Daniel Bruner 
(from whom the village was named) who bought these mills in 1833 
{ IHIjy?) and Brice Hilton, who some years later bought and operated 
them and their successors until the final destruction of the dam in 1884, 
had boats that ran regularly along the Tiffin and the other rivers in 
those early times, usually pirogues of from three to five tons or one 
hundred and seventy-five bushels of corn and wheat capacity. Pay- 




LOOKING NORTH I'P THE TIFFIN RIVER 

October 19. 1902. from the northwest corner of Section 15 Noble Township, Defiance County, Ohio, the 
Village of Brunersbure on the left (right river bankl._ The remains of the John Perkins Mill-dam, one of 
the first in the Basin, are seen in the distance beyond the small island. 

ment was made for the grain in money, lumber, or flour according to 
the desire of the producer; thus the boats usually carried loads both 
ways. Contracts were occasionally made, principally between the 
years 1830-1843. for the entire product of wheat, corn, oats, hogs, etc., 
even before planting time. The demand for these products came from 
the increasing number of immigrants, the numerous villages that were 
platted along the rivers, and the thousands of laborers brought from 
the East to make the Miami and Erie, and the Wabash and Erie Canals. 
A much larger boat was soon built at Brunersburg by. William 
Bridenbaugh and Solomon Stoner for Gilbert C. Coffin a Delaware Town- 



THE TIFFIN RIVER. ITS BOATS AND COMMERCE. 511 

ship iarmci. 'I'liis was a very lai^i- Ixiat lor those days, and sulistaii- 
tial. It cairud car>{oi.-s of 2r)()0 huslu'ls ol wlnat to Maumcc City; was 
afterward sold to jolin Tattle an early warehouse man at Defiance and 
was used ill the Miami aiul h'.iie Canal alter its coniplrtion in l>^l;i. In 
IKiJT a sttanihoat was iiuilt at Hriinersliurn for Sargent and Muduett, 
traders at that i>lace. Tiiis boat was christened Anthony Wayne and 
plit (1 iiiostK on the Maiimee River — see anfe page 481. These were 
days of enterjirise and emulation in the develoi)inK country. A urain 
hoat was built at Evansjiort on the Titlin with capacitx' for six hundred 
bushels ol w lieat ; but this experiiueiil i which was also the name ol the 
boat ) proved unprohtable. She was sold lor the Maumee Kiver trade 
and, later for many years, was run in the Canal, retaining her first 
name. Experiment, to the last. Tin maximum of this active business 
along the rivers was attained during the bnililing of the Miami and 
Va'w Canal during tht.- years 1M40-4I-4'J. 

In l^>;i."> a dam and llounnL; mill wi-re com])leted at Ivvans])ort b\' 
Jacob and John Coy and John Snitlir. Two vears later thi\- added a 
sawing mill. Soon thereafter a Houring mill was built at I'ulaski on 
l-iea\er Creek; and about ISK'i a llouring and sawing mill wiie built at 
La Fayette, later calUd Lockport, on the TifHn Rivir. Other mills 
were constructed flouring mills at l^dinburg, Fulton County, Ohio, 
and at lUulson, Michigan, and \ c-t later a sawing mill at Addison, 
Michigan. Only the one last named remains as a water-power mill. 
Objections to the dams were raised on account of the increased over- 
flow (il 'bottom' lands tlurelrom, ;md some explosives were used uiuK r 
those at Lock])ort and Fvansport by unknown parties. The mills were 
also consunnd by lire one after another, those at Hrunersburg and 
Evansport in 1884-85." Another flouring mill was built at Evansport 
and is operated by steam power. 

Scarcely any commercial boating has Ixcn doiU' on the Tiffin River 
in later years. By way of exiurinient the iiassenger sttanur Laurina 
was run, with little cargo, three times from Defiance to Evansport dur- 
ing a favorabU' stage of water in March, 1H!)2. The first tiirn' she 
brought down from the I'-vansiiort steam mills httv barrels of flour, the 
second tinn- sixty, and the third time si.xty-eight barrels of flour and 
two tons ol 'choji feed.' The time occupied in going ui> was about 
four hours on account ol tin- strong current. The return recpiired oiilv 
one hour and three-quarters. The distance by wagon road is twelve 
miles; bv river about twentv-four miles. 



' In tlie sprinc and suninicr of IflOS indictments were found acainst several citizens of Williams 
Comity for arson. A nnmber, even those with property and of yood standiiik'. plead cuilly to a repetition 
of this crime for many years, and they with others were sentenced to the [icnitentiary. The writer is not 
aware, however, that any attempt was made to connect their operations with the destruction of these mills. 



512 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

The Fikst American Settlers — The Division into Cointies — The 
ortjantzation of counties. 

But few Americans settled in this Basin until after the surrender 
by the British in 1796 of Fort Miami by the lower Maumee and of Fort 
Lernoult at Detroit. Then American traders with the Aborigines in- 
creased in number, while British and French traders, yet probably in 
the majority, continued their traffic: thus there was a mixed competition 
for the Aborigine trade. This competition changed as the British more 
and more attracted the Aborigines to Maiden : and yet more when the 
United States established trading posts with desire for the better con- 
trt)l of the Aborigines within their territory — see ante page 259. 

People desiring to found homes began to gather along the lower 
Maumee River early in the 18th century. It is supposed that Colonel 
John Anderson was at Miami, site of the British Fort Miami two miles 
below the foot of the lowest Maumee rapids, from the year 1796 as a 
trader and farmer — see ante page 397 ; also William Dragoo — see ante 
page 396. Several American families were with or near the Ottawa 
Aborigine villages there and below in 1H06. The French were in the 
majority on the right bank at the mouth of the river, among the number 
being the Navarres, Peltier, J. B. Beaugrand, Mominie, and Antoine 
La Pointe. It is also supposed that in 1H07 there dwelt by the lower 
Maumee, at the site of Fort Miami, families of, or individuals named, 
William Carter, Andrew and William Race, three families named 
Ewing, and David Hull a trader and tavern keeiier with the assistance 
of his sister. These were joined in lb07 by James Carlin a former 
Government blacksmith from Detroit by way of Frenchtown, now 
Monroe.* 

During the vear 1810 there came to and near Miami, Major Amos 
Spafford as Collector of the Port of Miami, Erie District, Thomas and 
Halsey W. Leaming, Stephen Hoyt, George Blalock, Daniel Purdy, 
James Slason or Slawson, Jesse Skinner, Thomas Dick, William 
Peters, Ambrose Hickok, David and Robert Race, Daniel Murray, 
Samuel Merritt, Richard Gifford, and Captain Jacob Wilkinson who 
built a schooner for the river and lake trade. At the opening of the 
War of 1812 there were sixty-seven families of Caucasion blood at or 
tributary to the small Village of Miami, as seen by General Hull's 
army — see ante page 271. Among the reminiscences of Mrs. Amelia 



* See Hezekiah L. Hosmer's article in Howe's His. Collections of Ohio, vol. ii. page 859. 



REMINISCENCES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. 



513 



W. Pt-rrin, daughter of Captain Wilkinson, regardinji^ the alarms of 

these times is the following: 

One morning in the summer of 1811, a man came riding down the river warning ihe 
settlers that a large body of savages, hideously painted, was forming above and their ap- 
pearance and actions indicated that they were upon the war-path. The rumor created 




AN EARLY HOME IN THE WILDERNESS 

Generally of but one room, built of logs shaped with the axe. Sometimes one or two other tools were at 
hand, an aucur and the huntint knife, used in pinnini; together the split plank to form the door, the win- 
dow blind, and the family table, as frequently no nails were at hand. The door hinges and latch were 
also of wood. A string attached to the latch and threaded through a small opening in the door above 
enabled friends without to raise the latch and enter, hence the form of invitation * you will find the latch- 
string out.' This string was usually kept drawn within the door to prevent sudden and unwelcome intru- 
sion of foes. When the open spaces between the logs were chinked and daubed with mud as protection 
against the savages and to shut out the cold, greased paper was stretched across the one or two window 
holes for light by day when safe and the open firelight was not sufficient. For special lighting there was 
used a piece of hickory bark, a saucer of grease with a narrow cutting of cloth protruding or. later, a 
dipped tallow candle. The ground served as floor until convenient time to make a floor of puncheons. 
Beds were often composed of boughs of trees, covered with skins of the large wild animals dressed with 
hair on. placed on the floor or on poles supported above the ground. The gun was constantly at hand, 
necessary to supply game as the only meat for the table or as protection against savage wild beasts and 
Aborigines. The loft often had portholes for observation and defense. Nuts, tubers, berries, nettle tops 
and other wild edibles were gathered in season and stored in the loft for use in times of need, the first 
crops of grain being uncertain. 



terrible alarm in the vicinity, and the thoughts of each were immediately directed to 
finding a place of safety for themselves and their children. Father took his family to the 
woods, some distance away, and there left them (mother and her four children) concealed 
in a brush heap, with the promise to return as soon as he was assured of their safety, and 
enjoined them to keep quiet and closely concealed. All that long day they remained 
there, scarcely daring to move for fear of attracting the attention of some lurking savage. 
In his haste father had forgotten to bring anything to eat, but fear of the Aborigines kept 



514 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

the little ones quiet and caused them to forget their hunger, except the baby which nursed 
until it drew blood. As the dread hours o£ that long, weary, terrible day passed slowly, 
one by one, and father did not come, mother's anguish grew almost unendurable, for she 
imagined he had fallen at the hands of the savages. When he finally appeared, just as 
the darkness of night was closing around us, there was a most joyous reunion. It seems 
that the uncertainty of the purpose of the Aborigines had prevented him from returning 
to us sooner. The savages were merely out upon ' a lark ' and had gobbled up a number 
of white men. father among the number, and pestered them just by way of amusement.* 

The following is also taken from the reminiscenses of Mrs. Hester 
Green, daughter of Daniel Purdy: 

We lived in security until a messenger arrived informing us that General Hull had 
sold his army, and that we would have to leave. Then all was fright and confusion. 
We and most of the others, excepting the soldiers, gathered what we could handily and 
left. We stopped at Blalock's a short time, and there an Aborigine messenger arrived 
and told us to come back as they would not kill us, but only wanted some of our property. 
Looking around until he found Blalock's gun he took it, went out and got a horse my 
mother had ridden to this point, and departed. We went back and remained three days 
in which time the Aborigines were pretty busy in driving off our live stock (we lost sixteen 
head) and in plundering the houses of such as had not come back. Mr. Guilliam was one 
who fled leaving everything behind ; and had not the presence of danger filled us with 
alarm, we would have been amused to see the Aborigines plundering his house. The 
feather beds were brought out, ripped open and the feathers scattered to the winds, the 
ticks alone being deemed valuable. But our stay was short, only three days, when the 
commandant of the fort [for other mention of this fort see ante page 272] informed us that 
he would burn the fort and stores and leave, inviting us to take such of the provisions as 
we might need. Consternation again seized upon us, and we hastily reloaded our wagons 
and left. We stayed the first night at a house eight or ten miles south of the [foot of the] 
Rapids. In the Black Swamp the load became too heavy, and they rolled out a barrel of 
flour and a barrel of meat which they had obtained at the fort. Mr. Hopkins, John Car- 
ter, Mr. Scribner, and William Race went back the next fall [1812] to gather their crops, 
and they were all killed by the savages. John Carter was attacked while in a boat on the 
river, and they had quite a hard fight before they got his scalp. After many years the 
Government gave the Purdys four hundred dollars for the crops and stock left behind 
them in their flight. 

Mrs. Philothe Case Clark wrote for the Firelands Pioneer volume 
V page 114, that her father Isaac P. Caset came to the Vicinity of Fort 
Miami May 1, IHll. She pathetically describes much sickness, and 
several deaths in the family, with the unavoidable privations of the wil- 
derness. The dead were buried in cofifins made bv the friends from 



* See Firelands Pioneer : and History of Wood County, Ohio, 1H97. page 359. 

t Isaac P. Case was born at Simsbury. Connecticut. March 3, 1772: married at Cooperstown, New 
York, Miss Eunice Tracey. They came to southern Ohio and down the Ohio River in IH08 with three 
dautrhters and one son. In the spring of 1811 this family, with another and two youny men named 
Scribner and Lapeer, started northward for the Maumee. At Wapakoneta they made a larye pironue of 
two basswood logs, and in it they passed down the .^uglaise River to the ruins of Fort Dehance. Here 
they found Bumess Squire and wife and her mother who were also mother and sister to Case. They had 
passed the winter here in company with the only white settler, a French trader, and his Aborigine wife. 
Taking all his relatives and crew into his pirogue. Case passed down the Mauniee and arrived at the foot 
of the lowest rapids May 1. 1811. after exciting experiences on the river. 



EARLY EXPERIENCES ALONG LOWER MAUMEE RIVER. 515 

basswood trees, split and Inwn with axos. After the surniuler of fliill 
at Detroit some of the families left Miami by open lioats. Her father 
and family, in company with twelve other families, went bv wagons 
drawn by oxen. Their route was southward along the way of Hull's 
army. After a toilsome journey of two weeks through the mud, greatly 
annoyed by moscjuitoes, sometimes with no water except what was 
gathered from the cattle-tracks, thev arrived at Urbana where thev drew 
military rations until recruited in strength to resume their journey to 
their relatives. 

Some of the families residing at Fort Miami were French, and some 
of them went io the British, or to Canada, at the outbreak of the War; 
others remained there or thereabout, and a few of their number did good 
service for the .\mericans in common with Peter Manor ( Manard j and 
Peter Navarre. All tlu- American families retired to the protected parts 
of Ohio soon after tlu' surrender of Detroit to the British by General 
Hull and the abandonnunt of the small fort at Miami by Lieutenant 
Davidson — see ante page 272. Major Sjiaffrnd was the last to leave 
with his family and immediate friends: and they escaped the savages in 
a rude and shaky barge by waj- of Lake Erie to Milan. The crops of 
these refugees were harvested and destroyed in part by the British, the 
savages, and the .\merican soldiers. 

At the close of the War of 1812 many of these families returned 
to Miami, with some friends and former soldiers who desired places for 
settlement with their families; and immediately after the departure of 
the garrison in May, 1815, the buildings of Fort Meigs were occupied 
by the successive arrivals until houses could be built on choice 
locations. Contentions were engendered, however, regarding the 
pickets and other timber of the Fort, and finally one of the parties to 
the quarrel set the remaining ones on fire. Amos Spafford and others 
built their dwellings in the summer of 1815 partly of timber obtained 
by taking apart flat boats that had served their purpose in transporting 
army supplies from Fort Winchester. John Carter and John Race 
were shot and tomahawked by Aborigines at their cabin near Turkey- 
foot Rock Cat upper Presqu'ile) the summer of this year; and later 
in the season Levi Hull went to drive in the cattle from the woods on 
the present plat of Perrysburg; several gun reports were heard, and he 
not returning in due time, a search party was organized and he was 
found where the Methodist Church building of Perrysburg now stands, 
shot dead and scalped.* These were the last of the murders by 
savages along the Maumee River for some length of time. 

A village plat was surveyed at Fort Meigs, principally along the 
river under the bluff and given the name Orleans, or Orleans of the 

* From the MS. of the late Willard V. Way. copied into the History of Wood County, 1897. 



516 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

North. A few log cabins were here built. Captain Jacob Wilkinson 
who (assisted by his nephew afterward Captain David Wilkinson who 
became a prominent boatman for the lower Maumee ) had taken the 
garrison and equii)ment of F"ort Meigs to Detroit in May, sailed his 
schooner Blacksnake. of about twenty-five tons burden, to Buffalo for 
supplies, and on his return brought other settlers among whom were 
the families Hunter, Mulholland, Hopkins, Scott Robb, and probably 
others. Of the other settlers, David Hull and Thomas MTlrath 
opened supply stores and taverns. Jesse Skinner, Samuel Ewing, a 
bachelor Irishman named Thomas Dicks, and others built cabins near 
the river and on the bluff above. Ephraim and Thomas Leaming car- 
penters and mill-wrights built dwellings near the river in what is now 
the west part of Perrysburg. In the spring of 1818 they removed to 
Monclovaand rebuilt the sawing mill begun there on Swan Creek before 
the War of 1812 by Samuel Ewing. This was the first mill in the 
Basin, and it was well patronized by the settlers. Previous to this 
time the settlers went to the River Raisin, Michigan, for their lumber 
and tlour. In 1816 Captain Jacob Wilkinson returned to remain and 
he built a house at Orleans ; also Seneca Allen, Charles, Christopher, 
and Elijah Gunn, who settled on the north side of the river. Allen 
opened a store for trade with the Aborigines at Roche de Bout where 
Isaac Richardson was building a mill. Joshua Chappel arrived in 
April, 1817, and about this time Samuel Vance and his brother Wilson 
opened a general store for their brother Joseph Vance who was later 
elected Governor of Ohio. About the first of June John and William 
Hollister arrived with a stock of goods and opened a general store. A 
great flood, experienced at the going out of the river ice in the spring 
of 1818 damaged the Village of Orleans, and this, with the insufficient 
building space and the number of competing towns, soon caused the 
decline and abandonment of the town. 

Those who were driven from their homes at Miami at the beginning 
of the War of 1812, claimed compensation from the United States on 
their return for their property used and destroyed during the War. A 
meeting was held at the dwelling house of Amos Spafford *■ in the 
evening of 8th November, 1815, and the minutes show the appointment 
of Amos Spafford and Captain Daniel Hull as a committee to meet 
General Harrison on his way to Detroit and to "request of him such 
information and certificates as the said General may have in his 
possession respecting the corn that was found standing in possession 
of the inhabitants on his arrival at this place in the winter of 1812-13, 
which corn was made use of bv the army under his command." The 



* The later residence of this pioneer by the lower Maumee was on the right bank of the River, 
where he died in 1817. 



CLAIMS OF REFUGEES. SURVEYS. PRICES CURRENT. 517 

24th Noviinlic 1 Amos Spafford was appointed aj,'. nt and attorney to go 
to Wasliinuton and apply to ConKress for the payment of tht- claims of 
the following named persons: William Carter, Daniel Hull, William 
Peters, Samuel H. Ewins, Samuel Carter, Thomas M'llrath, Samuel 
Ewinjj, Chloe Hicox or Hickok, William Skinner, James Carlin, Stacey 
Stoddard, John Redoad, and Jacob Wilkinson. Among the other 
claimants were Giorge Hlalock, James Slawson or Slason, Jesse 
Skinner, Thomas Dick, Ambrose Hickok, Daniel Purdy, Baptiste 
Mominie, and Richard Gifford. There were claims other than for corn. 
Those ol James Carlin, blacksmith, were for dwelling house or cabin 
valued at $110; blacksmith shop $55 ; one two years old colt taken by 
Wyandot Aborigines $H(). Oliver Armstrong also claimed for one horse 
stolen valued at $60: wheat of six acres in the barn, burned ; four tons 
hay: clothing and bedding burned or stolen, amounting to §525. The 
total of the former settlers' claims was somewhat over four thousand 
dollars. 

The United States Reservations on the lower Maumee at the 
Treaty of Greenville in 1705, included the land on both sides of 
Maumee Bay and the river above to the extent of one hundred and 
eighty square miles (six and twelve miles square). The boundaries of 
these Reservations were marked in 1H05 by Elias Glover Deputy United 
States Surveyor, with assistants : but the first .\merican settlements 
were made on these Reservations without permission, that they might 
have choice possession claims when the Reservations were opened to 
settlers. In 1816 parts of these Reservations were surveyed for settlers 
by Agent Alexander Bourne and Surveyors Joseph W^ampler and 
William Brookfield, including the plat of the present Village of 
Perrvsburg according to Act of Congress that year; and the lands and 
lots were offered for sale in February, 1817, by officers of the Land 
Office at Wooster, Ohio. This village plat was named in honor of 
Commodore Oliver H. Perry at the suggestion of Josiah Meigs Com- 
missioner of the General Land Office. Several log houses were built 
in Perrysburg that year, and in 1817 the first frame house there was 
built by David W. Hawley of Black Rock, Buffalo, of lumber brought 
from Buffalo by Captain Jacob Wilkinson in the schooner Blacksnake. 
Doctor J. B. Stewart of Albany, New York, and J. J. Lovett, bought 
the river tracts 65 and 66, including the site of Fort Meigs and the 
settlements next to the river. The prices current following the War of 
1812, taken from the account book of John T. Baldwin, were: for 
common laborers §25 per month and board; shoes §2.50 per pair; 
half-soling a pair of boots $3.00; making fine shirt $1.00; making 
woolen trousers $1.50; making linen trousers 50 cents; flour four cents 
a pound ; bacon 20 cents ; beefsteak 10 cents ; pork 18% cents ; butter 



y 



578 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

31 cents ; cider $8.50 a barrel ; chickens 25 cents each ; beaver hats 
$7.00 : tobacco 50 cents a pound ; whisky 50 cents a pint ; tin plates 
31 cents each ; nails 25 cents a pound : salt $H.00 a barrel. At 
the close of the year 1819 the number of Americans along and with 
settlements adjacent to the lower Maumee River, was estimated to be 
but little over six hundred. 

The First Masonic Lodges, and Churches. 

Army Lodge No. 24 Free and Accepted Masons held meetings in 
Fort Meigs from 1813 until the abandonment of the Fort by the soldiers 
""in May, 1815.* March 5, 1817, Henry Brush Grand Master of the 
Grand Lodge of Ohio Free and Accepted Masons granted from Chilli- 
cothe a dispensation for Northern Light Lodge No. 40 at Wavnesfield, 
the present Village of Maumee and vicinity. There were along the 
Maumee at this time about forty families scattered from Waterville 
above to Delaware Creek below, of which families five men were Free 
Masons. The dispensation named Almon Gibbs W. M. William 
Griffith S. W. and Charles Gunn J. W. D. J. Thurston and James 
Adams were the other members. Seneca Allen was the first applicant 
for the degrees. A charter was granted to this Lodge 21st December, 
1818. Its meetings were held in the second story of a building erected 
by the Cincinnati Land Company which owned the village site. Owing 
to the great anti-Masonic excitement, this Lodge discontinued meetings 
from December 27, 1827, after electing officers as follows: James Wil- 
kinson W. M. J. H. Jerome S. W. R. A. Forsyth J. W. Harry 
Conant Treasurer; Thomas R. M'Knight Secretary; John Hollister S. 
D. J. S. Herrick J. D. David Hull, Tyler. This Lodge remained 
voluntarily suspended about eighteen years. Upon petition of Andrew 
Young in October, 1845, the charter was renewed and meetings again 
began the 21st of November. Meantime, Wood County Lodge No. 112 
was organized under dispensation granted 29th April, 1843. The 
Charter was received in October of this year. The meetings of this 
Lodge were held for many years in the garret of the log dwelling house 
of Emilus Wood, a short distance northwest of the site of the present 
Village of Tontogany. The first officers were; Jarius Curtis W. M. 
Emilus Wood S. W. Morris Brown J. W. The present members 
claim this as the Mother of Lodges in Northwestern Ohio. Toledo 
Lodge No. 144 was the next one here organized a few years later. 

The first Protestant society among the Americans by the lower 
Maumee River was a Methodist Episcopal Church organized at Orleans 
in 1819 by Reverend John P. Kent. Aurora Spafford was appointed 
class leader, with William Kelly, John Knowles and Sarah Wilkinson 



*■ History 0/ Wood County. Ohio, 1H97, page 380. 



ORGANIZATION OF SOCIETIES AND GOVERNMENT. 519 

niinilxTs. Captain jatuli WilUinson's (Iwcllinu house was their first 
meetintc plact-, and Hollister's store the second. Later, the meetinjjs 
were held in Perrvsburg. The succeedini^ ministers were Paul B. 
Morey ol tin- Detroit (Monroe) Circuit in 1820, Elias Patten in 1822, 
S. Baker in 1M24, John Bau^'hinan in lH2r), G. Walker in 1827. The 
next church organized was the Presbyterian llith November, 1834* but 
their clerjjymen had previously visited there. 

!)i\isi()N INTO Counties. 

The claims of the Aborigines to the lands in this Basin and its 
vicinitv havinfi been largely purchased by the United States (see ,/ 
Treaties, Chapter XII) the Legislature of Ohio, by Act of 12th Febru- 
ary, 1820, provided for the division of northwestern Ohio into fourteen 
counties. This Act was carried into effect 1st April, 1H20, in the divis- 
ion and the naming of the following counties wholly or partially em- 
braced in this Basin, viz; Alliii, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Mercer, 
Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, \'an Wert, Williams, and Wood. Some of 
these counties were in after years dividtd and others organized to form 
the present list — see table ante pages 4 and ."). Some of the counties 
first named were not organized for several years, their territory being 
placed under the jurisdiction of those that were organized until each 
gained population sufficient to sustain the expense of individual gov- 
ernment. Thus Hancock, Henry, Paulding, Putnam and Williams, 
were subject to Wood County, and Allen and \'an Wert were for a time 
governed by Mercer. At the organization of Williams County in 1824 
with court and officers at Defiance, the previouslv outlined territory of 
Henry, Paulding, and Putnam, Counties were attached to it for their 
government. 

Wood County, Ohio, 

Was named in honor of Colonel Eleazer D. Wood, Engineer of Fort 
Meigs. The first Commissioners, appointed April 1, 1820, were Samuel 
H. Ewing, John Pray, and Daniel Hubbell, the latter acting as clerk 
or secretary at their first meeting held in the Village of Maumee 12th 
April, 1820. William Pratt was then appointed County Treasurer. 
The next meeting was held May 3rd when Seneca Allen, County Audit- 
or, was appointed clerk for the Commissioners. The bond of David 
Hull as Sheriff was then accepted, with Samuel Vance and Peter G. 
Oliver as sureties: also the bond of William Pratt, Treasurer, with 
Samuel Vance and Aurora Si:)afford sureties: and the bond of Seneca 
Allen, Auditor, with Almon Gibbs and Thomas R. M' Knight as sure- 



* For the names of later ministers in these and other Churches in this region, the reader is referred 
to the report of Charles W. Evers in the History of Wood County, Ohio, 1897, page 378: also to the history 
of Missions ante page 399. 



520 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

ties. The Auditor was chosen by joint ballot of the Ohio General 
Assembly. General John E. Hunt was allowed §11 .25 for services as 
lister of taxable property and house ajipraiser ; and David Hull was 
appointed Collector of Taxes. The Commissioners, at this meetinj^, 
rented for one year at forty dollars the room over Almon Gibbs' store 
in the Village of Maumee, where their meetings had been held, for 
their use and for the meeting's of the court. At the session held 12th 
December, 1820, Daniel Hubbell, John E. Hunt, and John Pray, 
appeared as Commissioners. March 4th, 1H22, they appointed Thomas 
W. Powell .'\uditor of the County; and declared the Township of 
Waynesfield, which was organized in 1816 for the government of the 
United States Reservations hereabout, to be coextensive with the 
Counties of Wood and Hancock; and they organized the Township of 
Auglaise to be coextensive with the Counties of Henry, Williams, 
Paulding and Putnam. At their session June Hrd, Doctor Walter 
Colton was appointed Treasurer. 

The United States Congress vested May 7, 1822, the right to all 
unsold lots and outlots of the town plat of Perrysburg in the Commis- 
sioners of Wood County, Ohio, on condition that the public buildings 
of the said County be permanently located there. A special session of 
the Board at Perrysburg 19th March, 1823, was 'convened for the 
purpose of attending to the erection and repairs of the public buildings 
of the Countv.' The Commissioners at this time were John Pray, 
Samuel Spafford, and Hiram P. Barlow. They examined the County 
Jail 'which had been removed from the town of Maumee and erected in 
the town of Perrysburg agreeable to a contract entered into for that 
purpose with Daniel Hubbell' at a cost of $48. It was further "ordered 
that so much of the Township of Waynesfield as is included in the 
organized County of Wood, and lying and being on the south of the 
south channel of the Maumee River, from the west line of the County 
to the line between the original surveyed Township in Number One and 
Four in the United States Reserve, thence along the north channel to 
the State line, be set off and organized into a township by the name of 
Perrysburg ; and that the election for Township Officers be held on the 
19th day of June, A. D. 1823, at the house of Samuel Spafford in said 
Township." 

A Court House for Wood County was built at Perrysburg in 1823 
by Daniel Hubbell and Guy Nearing under contract for §895. This 
Court House was succeeded in 1848 by one of brick at a cost of $20,000. 
In April, 1870, the County Records and offices were removed to a new 
Court House in the Village of Bowling Green which was used until the 
year 1894, when the records were removed to the City Hall and work 
was begun on the present ornate stone structure which was completed 



THE CIVIL BEGINNINGS IN WOOD COUNTY. 521 

in tlu' fall 1)1 1M<)() at a cost of S2ri5,74().K4 including the lots and their 
improvi'inont. 

The first newsijapcr i)ul)lisliLd in or mar tliu Maunicu Kivcr Basin 
was The Miami of the Lake, first issiKcl 11 ih December, 1833, by Jesup 
W. Scott a lawyer who later removed to Toledo and Henry Darling who 
brought the type and hand press from New York. This newspaper 
passed into the hands of J. 11. M'Bride; and it was succeeded in name 
.'\ujiust IK, 1H3H, by The Ohio Whig under the manaKement of H. T. 
Smith. Other newspapers were started and had brief history. In 1^72 
hut one newspaper was continued in Perrysburg, The Journal, edited 
by James Timmons. 

The first court in this Basin was held over .\lnion Gibbs' store in 
the Village of Maumee beginning 3rd May, 1K20. This Basin was then 
in the Third judicial Circuit. George Tod, father of David Tod 
Governor of Ohio in 1H(J2 to 1M64, was President Judge, and Doctor 
Horatio Conant, Samuel Vance and Peter G. Oliver were Associate 
Judges. Their commissions were for seven years from March 1, ]H20. 
Thomas R. M' Knight was apjiointed Clerk. John T. Baldwin, Aaron 
Granger, Parris M. Plum, Aurora Spafford. Jeremiah Johnston, Wil- 
liam Pratt, Richard Gunn, Collister Haskins, Ephriam H. Leaming, 
Josephus Tilor, Daniel Murray, John Hollister, Norman L. Freeman, 
John Jay Lovett, and William 11. Bostwick, composed the Grand Jury, 
the last named being foreman. Ebenezer Lane was the second Presi- 
dent Judge in 1825, and David Higgins the third, in 1830. 

Tile illegal sale of spirituous liquors in less quantity' than a tjuart, 
and in some cases without license, resulted in many indictments and 
fines during the early years of this Common Pleas Court. Samuel 
Evving was found murdered at Roche de Bout in May, 1822, and the 
verdict of the Coroner, Francis Charter, was ignored on motion of 
Thomas H. Powell Prosecuting Attorney, and an indictment for man- 
slaughter against John Lewis was returned instead. Lewis was found 
guilty, and was sentenced to the Ohio Penitentiary for three years. He 
soon escaped from the County Jail and was not caught. One French, 
convicted of passing counterfeit bank notes, was also sentenced to the 
Penitentiary for three years by Judge Tod. 

The first capital punishment in this Basin was inflicted 5th Novem- 
ber, 1830, on George Porter a half-breed Mohican who expiated his 
crime in the ravine at the east end of Fort Meigs. In brief the storv 
runs as follows: About the year 1817 Isaac Richardson and one 
Thompson purchased land including Roche de Bout and, later, built a 
dam across the Maumee at the rapids there and completed flouring and 
sawing mills and began their operation. Difficulties arose and con- 
tinued from the insecurity of the dam which bred endless strife and 



522 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

litigation. The one would one day tear down and destroy what the 
other had built up the day before. 

Without saying any thing about Thompson, Richardson was in every sense of the 
word a bad man. he was a tall man with a well-proportioned figure, fia.ven hair and cor- 
responding features; and it was then remarked that he would make a good model for an 
ancient Anglo-Saxon. If a bad man was needed for such a model, certainly they could 
scarcely obtain a better one. Porter had labored for Richardson at the mills as a car- 
penter and laborer, and had considerable claims for such labor, while Richardson could 
not be induced to pay nor do anything except to taunt Porter with the assertion that he 
could not collect his claims. This taunt, without denying in any manner the justice of 
the claims, he would cast up to Porter in the most aggravating manner. At last Porter 
became indignant and irritated beyond the powers of his endurance. One evening after 
dark while Richardson was sitting in his hall with his family and others around him. 
Porter came unexpectedly and immediately shot Richardson dead in his chair. 

The late Thomas W. Powell, ironi whose reminiscences the fore- 
f^oinjj is taken* was Prosecuting; Attorney, and David Higgins, after- 
wards President Judge of Common Pleas, was appointed to defend 
Porter who had the sympathy of the Community ; but he was con- 
victed and hung as before stated. 

The first bridge across the lower Maumee River was built in 1839 
by the citizens of Maumee City at the site of the present structure, at 
the cost of about $4000. Ferry boats were used up to this date. 

One of the largest meetings held in this Basin was at Fort Meigs 
on the 11th June, 1840, during the Presidential Campaign and in favor 
of General William H. Harrison's candidacy. The number in atten- 
dance was variously estimated at from 40,000 to 60,000 people who 
came from various parts of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, New York and 
Pennsylvania. The principal speakers were General Harrison and 
Thomas Corwin. Many of the soldiers who had served under General 
Harrison at Fort Meigs and elsewhere were present and great enthusi- 
asm prevailed. t Among the enlivening incidents of this meeting was 
the degrading of a hickory pole that had been brought to the site of 
the Fort by some Democrats to be erected to display their party flag 
in opposition. Whigs of Maumee and Perrysburg gathered in the 
night and thrust this pole little end down into the deep water well 
outside the Gr.md Traverse — Well No. 1, see Ground Plan of Fort 
Meigs ante page 316. During the meeting the contrast between this 
reversed pole and the stately oak which held aloft the Whig banner, 
afforded much amusement. This 'Pole in a deep hole' can yet be 
seen extending above the fiUed-in well. It is now, however, nearly 
gone from decay. 



* Compare The Defiance Democrat, weekly newspaper of 2nd May, 1868. 
t See The Toledo Weekly Blade for the week of 11th June, 1840. 



FIRST SETTLERS IN MIDDLE OF THE BASIN. 525 

A rLitnioii, called for tin- Survivors o( tlu- Siffje of Fort Meijjs, 
was held on the site of the Fort in June, 1H70, at which fortv-four 
responded to the roll-call. Some of these men were about eit^hty \ears 
old, and all were aijproximatiny; this a^e. Their enjoyment of the 
occasion was great and heartfelt. Captain Leslie Combs was present, 
now bearing the title General, but not with full historical accuracy of 
speech in his address. The able Colonel Charles S. Todd, and Peter 
Navarre, were also present. These veterans were accorded a warm 
reception by the citizens of Perrysburg, Maumee, and vicinity. At the 
head of the large procession to the site of the Fort, was carried a flag 
that waved over the Fort during the Siege. It was owned by David 
M'Chesney of Warren County, Ohio, and was carried on this occasion 
liy his father-in-law Colonel Irvine, one of the veterans. This flag 
was torn and time-stained, but its gilt inscription was yet legible, viz : 
2nd Com'd, 1st Squad, Hrd Brigade, 1st Div., Ohio Militia. 

The Site anh Vh.iage of Defiance -W'ii.i.iams Ccuxtv. 

Both the French and English had trading posts for the .Aborigines 
at convenient places along the rivers from early dates — the former from 
the latter part of the seventeenth century, and the latter from the first 
half of the eighteenth; and occasionally a post assumed an air of 
permanence. Defiance was a favorite place for all parties on account 
of its being the central part of the Basin, and the point of union of 
three rivers. The following account by Oliver M. Spencer, who was 
for some time a captive of the Shawnee Aborigines at the site of the 
present City of Defiance, describes the settlement at this place in the 
year 1792, two years before the coming of General Wayne's army, viz: 

Extending from the Maumee a quarter of a mile up the Auglaise. about two hundred 
yards in width, was an open space on the west and south of which were oak woods with 
hazel undergrowth. Within this opening, a few hundred yards above the point [between 
the rivers] on the steep high bank of the Auglaise, were five or six cabins and log houses 
inhabited principally by traders with the Aborigines. The most northerly, a large hewed 
log house divided below into three apartments, was occupied as a warehouse, store, and 
dwelling by George Ironside the most wealthy and influential of the traders on the point. 
Next to his were the houses of Pirault [Pero] a French baker, and MKenzie a Scot who. 
in addition to merchandizing, followed the occupation of a silversmith exchanging with 
the Aborigines his brooches, eardrops, and other silver ornaments at an enormous profit, 
for skins [of wild animals]. Still farther up were several other families of French and 
English, and two .American prisoners — Henry Ball a soldier taken at St. Clair's defeat, 
and his wife Polly Meadows captured at the same time — were allowed to live here and by 
labor to pay their masters the price of their ransom, he by boating to the [lower] rapids 
of the Maumee, and she by washing and sewing. Fronting the house of Ironside, and 
about fifty yards from the bank [of the Auglaise], was a small stockade enclosing two 
hewed log houses, one of which was occupied by James Girty (brother of Simon) the 
other occasionally [occupied] by M'Kee and Eliott British .\borigine ,\gents living 
at Detroit [by the lower Detroit River, and the lower Maumee], . . . 



524 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

I spent this day very pleasantly among the traders, dining with Mr. Ironside who 
treated me with great kindness. I found him a very sociable and intelligent man, 
humane and benevolent. He seemed much interested in the story of my captivity and 
appeared to sympathize with me. gave me some useful advice and direction for the regu- 
lation of my conduct, and a great deal of information relative to the Aborigines, their 
history, customs and manners. On the following day I was highly gratified in seeing at 
our cabin [on the north side of the Maumee opposite the point] my late townsman William 
Moore [also a prisoner with the Aborigines], who had just returned from the rapids about 
sixty miles below.* . 

Occasionally an American tracUr tarritd here for a time during the 
garrisoning of Fort Defiance, but no permanent settlement was then 
attemjited by Americans. The British practically held possession of 
the Maumee, or largely dominated the Aborigines to within a few miles 
of Fort Wayne, until the coming of the Army of the Northwest in 
1812, and the traders and families at the central and upper parts of the 
Basin, so far as we know, were mostly if not all French and British. t 

Several of the soldiers who served at Fort Winchester and along 
the Maumee in the War of 1812, returned to Defiance and its vicinity 
at the close of the war. Among those who returned in 1815-16 as 
settlers in the true sense and were the first to occupy the buildings of 
Fort Winchester after their abandonment by the soldiers, were John 
and William Preston t brothers: James Partee, John Plummer, John 
Perkins, and Montgomery Evans. The buildings of the Fort thus 
again served an e.Kcellent purpose, post bellum auxilliurn, as homes for 
successive new comers so long as their timbers remained in fit condition 
for their occupancy : and then the better timbers were used to piece 
out new buildings in the neighborhood, while the poorer ones served as 
read\' supplies for the winter fires. 

John Preston married a daughter of Judge Ewing of Troy, Ohio. 
He died aliout the year 1820. William Preston liecame the first sheriff 
in this part of Ohio, in 11^^24. He married a Miss Butler whose brothers 
dwelt at the site of the present Florida, Henry County. He removed 
to a farm in St. Joseph Township, Williams County, probably in 1827, 
where he died about l(-i2H. His surname is perpetuated at Defiance in 
island and creek or 'run.' John Perkins came from near Chillicothe, 
and dwelt some years at Camp No. Three — see map ante page 191. 
He assisted in the United States Survey of these lands, and then built 
the first sawing and flouring mills in this part of Ohio at Brunersburg 
in 1H22 — see ante page 509. About the year 1833 (or 1839?) he sold 



* See Captivities Among the Ohio Aborigines. Reprint with Notes by Charles E. Slocum. 

t There were many Scotch and Irish in the early armies in America ; and the term British as nsed 
ill this book includes all persons who remained friendly to the British government. 

t It is supposed that this William was the Captain Preston with General Wayne's army, see ante 
pages 301, 203. 



BEGINNING PERMANENT SETTLEMENT AT DEFIANCE. 525 

these mills, and built ollurs at Lafayette, Williams County, where he 
died. He was one of the first three Associate Judges of Williams County. 

lames P;ir(iM- diid m;in\- *i-ars lat'-r on his farm in N* >!>!.■ '!"o\\'ii'>-hip "ii th»- 




i'UKT DEl'lANCt PAKK Ai\U *^bi\ i h-iNis iAL iiLucKHuU aha 

Lookini: west across the ice and snow covered month of the AnulaJse River and up the Maiiinee. the 
Clinton Street Hrid«e in the distance. 12th December, 1900. 

These Blockhouses were built in July. lH94.for the Centennial Celebration of Fort Defiance August 
Hlh and 9th. 1S94. William M'Kinley, then Governor of Ohio, was the principal orator. The logs com- 
posing these Blockhouses were of many species of timber, and were donated and delivered by the citizens 
of town and toun(ry around. The roots be^an to decay and, having fulfilled the purpose of their con- 
strurtion. the buildinss were sold by the Defiance \Cityl Park Commissioners to the hichest bidder for 
$14:1. S;i and they were removed in September and October. 1901. Kach Blockhouse was 22 feet s<tuare on 
the ground, the loys beinj: hewn jii this instance sawn! to fit closely together. They were two stories in 
heiKht, the first story beiny nine feet hinh. The second story was seven feet from floor to eaves: and it prc- 
jectedover the sides of the first story, all around, so as to leave an opening of eight inches between the inner 
wall of the second story and the outer wall of the first. This, as well as the diagonal or bastion setting 
of the houses (see ground plan ante page 199) enabled the soldiers on the floor above to keep the outer 
walls of the first story under full observation. The east Blockhouse carried a square, protected outlook 
above the roof with inside stairs leading to it. Each of the original Blockhouses carried a cupola — see 
ante page 200. The centennial houses were otherwise built as near like the original ones as possible to 
determine, and they well fitted the existing embankments. But a short section of Palisade, to illustrate 
the connection of the inner corners of the Blockhouses, was built for the Centennial Celebration: it is 
seen in the engraving between the two houses to the left. 

The trees in the Park (Honey Locust, Cleditsia triacanthos, L.) have grown from the seed since the 
War of 1812. The largest is somewhat over sixteen feet in circumference at the smallest part of its trunk. 

The platform seen at the Point bore no relation to the Fort. It was a resting place and outlook for 
visitors. Becoming unsafe, it was removed in 1902. 



ri.tiht hank of c he Tiffin River. He married a dauii,htL'r of John Pt-rkins. 
John Plummer also cleared a farm in Tiffin Township. 

William Travis, father of the present citizens William C. and 
Forman E. Travis, first visited Defiance in 1»19. In addition to the 



526 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Americans before named there were then here John Driver and famil}'. 
He was a silversmith and was soon joined by his brother Thomas who 
settled on a farm a few miles up the Maumee. There were also here 
at this time five French traders, three having cabins near Fort Defiance 
point, one being kept by Peter Lombard who later lived in Delaware 
Township, two were situated near the Maumee at the present Perry 
Street, and two at the top of the bluff on the north side of the Maumee 
near the present Clinton Street. About this time John and George 
Hollister established a store at the top of the bluff and there continued 
for several years, the trade being conducted for them part of the time 
by Peter Bellaire and George Lantz. They were of the four brothers 
Hollister (Frank and William being the names of the other two) who 
came from Pittslield, Massachusetts, through Buffalo. They had a store 
at Orleans and later at Perrysburg, and perhaps elsewhere along the 
Maumee, for trade with the Aborigines for furs and other peltries, also 
for their annuity money. William Travis brought the first wagon into 
the central part of the Basin to Defiance* taking it apart at St. Marys 
on account of poor road and shipping it by boat via the River St. Mary 
to the Maumee at Fort Wayne. The oxen and horses were driven by 
land along the Auglaise military road laden with part of his goods. 

These were years of scarcity of money. The gatherings from the 
forest that could be exchanged as yet were mainly skins of wild 
animals which, with the little produce that could be spared from the 
clearings, comprised most of the medium of exchange. The incoming 
settlers brought a little money, mostly in bills of banks in the larger 
towns of Ohio, of nineteen ol which banks for a short time seven were 
called good, and those of the other twelve were rated as decent, mid- 
dling, and good-for-nothing; and their condition was liable to change 
to worse any day. A few coins were also in circulation, but many of 
them were clipped and were rated by their weight by the receiving 

merchants. t 

In the vear 1820 the Village of Defiance contained three stores 
and about one hundred people of the Aryan race; and in 1830 Defiance 
Township contained a population of 307. The Village of Defiance 
was platted in November, 1822, by Benjamin Leavell of Piqua and 
Horatio G. Phillips of Dayton, the proprietors. The plat was 
acknowledged before Charles Gunn Justice of the Peace April IB, 
1828, and the same date it was received for record by Thomas R. 



* The first spring carriage to pass through this Basin was probably the one in 1815 in which General 
Lewis Cass, then Governor of Michigan Territory, transported his family from Ohio to Detroit. It is 
not known to the writer whether they passed along General Hull's road or along the military road down 
the left bank of the Auglaise River. 

t Compare the Detroit Gazette newspaper of October 22, 1819. 



THE PLATTING AND DEVELOPING DEFIANCE VILLAGE. 527 

M'KnrKht KiTordiT oi WDod County to which Williams Coiintx' 'then 
including Diliance) was sul)|ect. Tin- plat was rt-cordt-d Ajiril ^^th. 
It ixttndid from thi' Au^flaisc River on the east to [ackson Street on 
the wrst ; and from the Maiiinee River on the north to I'ourth Street 
on tile south, embracinji one hundred and fifty lots. Fort Defiance 
point lietween the Maumee and Aus^laise Rivers and Front and Jeffer- 
son Streets was donated for i)uhlic use and is now known as Fort 
Defiance Park, and the Court House sijuare was donated for county 
buildings. The affairs of the newly platted village were administered 
by Mr. Leavell as Mr. Phillips retained his residence at Dayton. 

r^obert Shirley removed his family from Ross County to Defiance 
in the spring of 1H21, and was among the last to occupy a building of 
I'ort Winchester. He became a prominent citizen. His sons James, 
Elias and Robert settled on farms up the Auglaise River, and a few of 
their descendants yet live in that direction. Among the early settlers 
by the Maumee were Samuel Kejiler three miles east of Defiance 
in IS'il : Joshua Hilton two miles west of Defiance in 1822; and 
farther up the river came that \'ear Benjamin Mulligan, Henry, Denni- 
son and Samuel Hughes, Oliver Crane, Widow Hill and family, Sam- 
uel and William Gordoix. The next year came Richard, Thomas and 
William Banks, Frederick W. Sperger, Gad Bellaire, James Shirley 
from the Auglaise, Horatio N. Curtis, William Snook and several sons, 
one of whom, Wilson N. is yet living near Antwerp. Thomas Warren 
and Parmenas Wasson came to Defiance in 1822, and the former be- 
came a farmer in Delaware Township and later a good citizen in the 
town with a large family of which onl\' one member, Isaac, now 
remains. 

The Evans familv ln-came further reprcs<;nt<-d here in 182S in the 
persons of John and Forman, brothers, and Pierce Evans their cousin; 
and they continued prominent citizens for many years, rendering effi- 
cient aid in the development of Defiance and the adjoining counties. 
John, generally known as Doctor, opened a general store some years 
after his arrival, and often dispensed medicine to the sick. Montgom- 
ery Evans, before mentioned, was distantly if at all related to these 
families. He became a trader with the Aborigines, a farmer and a 
real estate dealer. The last representatives of these families at De- 
fiance was Rinaldo Evans a farmer, son of Pierce, which Rinaldo died 
without children over sixty-six years of age April 27, 1886, at the home- 
stead of his father one mife and a half east of Defiance on the north 
bank of the Maumee. Moses Heatley and family from Miami County, 
settled near Blodgett Island in the Auglaise in 1824. David and Isaac 
Hull, Timothy S. Smith, James Craig and Robert Wasson came to 
Defiance in 1825. Payne C. Parker came in 1827 and was a general 



528 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

merchant for fourteen or more j-ears selling medicines and being called 
Doctor. Within the next six years came C. C. Waterhouse, tavern- 
keeper, William Semans, Frederick and Peter Bridenbaugh, Walter 
Davis the first cooper, David and James JoUey the first tanners, Jacob 
Kniss the first shoemaker, and Pierce Taylor. 

At the organization of Wood County in 1820, the outlined Counties 
.of Henry, Paulding, Putnam and W'illiams (then including Defiance) 
were attached to Wood for government. The Commissioners of Wood 
County organized the Township of Auglaise to include the territory of 
all these Counties. The Court appointed March 7, 1820, John Perkins 
and William Preston of Defiance Justices of the Peace in and for 
Auglaise Township for a period of three years, the former qualifying 
August 12th before Charles Gunn Justice of the Peace, and the latter 
the 14th August before John Perkins. Timothy S. Smith and Charles 
Gunn were appointed in April, 1823, in place of William Preston. 

Williams Countv was organized for self-government February 2, 
1824, and the Counties of Henr\', Paulding and Putnam were attached 
to it for their government. Defiance was chosen the seat of govern- 
ment by .A-Ct of the Legislature January 13, 1825. The first Court of 
Common Pleas for these Counties was held at Defiance April 5, 1824, 
in the second story of Benjamin Leavell's store, by the appointed 
Ebenezer Lane as Presiding Judge, and Associate Judges Robert 
Shirlev, John Perkins and Pierce Evans, whose commissions from the 
Governor were signed February 4th. John Evans was appointed 
Clerk, and he produced a bond for $2000 signed by himself, with 
Forman Evans, Pierce Evans and Moses Rice as sureties. At the next 
meeting of these Judges, May 8th, John Evans was ajipointed Recorder 
of the County. The other Countv officers had been named, as follows: 
Timothy S. Smith Auditor ; William Preston Sheriff, and Samuel 
Vance Assessor. Benjamin Leavell was licensed to sell merchandise 
one year on payment of ten dollars into the County Treasury ; and he 
was also licensed, on payment of one dollar and fifty cents for one 
year, to operate a ferry across the Maumee River. George Lantz was 
also licensed to operate a ferry across the Maumee ' at the crossing of 
the State Road [at Jefferson Street] at Defiance one year for one dollar. 
The prescribed schedule of charges for ferriage was as follows: One 
person six pence [6/^ cent piece of silver}; man and horse 18^ cents 
[one shilling and six pence]; loaded wagon and team SI. 00; four- 
wheeled carriage and team 75 cents : loaded cart and tea:n 50 cents ; 
empty cart and team, sled or sleigh and team 373^ cents ; horse, mare, 
mule or ass, one vear old or upwards Q/i cents ; neat cattle per head 4 
cents ; hogs and sheep per head 2 cents. 

At the convening of the Judges 25th October, Charles W. Ewing 



ORGANIZATION OF WILLIAMS COUNTY OHIO. 529 

was appointitl Prosecutor [or thr Couiitx', and Jesse Milton as justice 
of the Peace. Benjamin Leavell was licensed to keep tavern one year 
at liis residence on payment of five dollars. Leavell was indicted for 
oi)eratinK a ferry across the Aufjlaise without license. He plead guilty- 
and was fined one dollar and costs as was, also, Enoch Buck for keejiing 
a ferry across the Maumee without license. Thomas W. Powell exhib- 
ited to the Court a diploma of admission to practice law before the 
Supreme Court. Isaac Hull was licensed to sell merchandise one year 
for ten dollars, and Samuel Lance to keep tavern at his residence on 
payment of five dollars. 

The County Commissioners, appointed by the Ohio General 
Assembly, reported to the Court at this session. They were Cyrus 
Hunter, Charles Gunn and Benjamin Leavell. Their first formal 
session, of which we have record, was held December 6, 1824, also in 
the second story of Leavell's store at the present 413 Front Street, 
Defiance. Tinifitliy S. Smith was chosen Clerk, and it was then 
determined lli;it the members should serve one, two and three years 
respectively in the ordir named above. They granted a public road 
along the north side of the Maumee from opposite Jefferson Street, 
Defiance to the east line of Henry County which was attached to 
Williams for government. William Preston, John Evans and .Arthur 
Burrows were ajijiointed viewers of this road, and John Perkins, 
surveyor. Pierce Evans and Robert Shirley gave bond to the com- 
missioners for all costs in surveying and viewing on conditions the 
road should not become a pulilic highway.' A State Road along this 
line was certified to the Commissioners of Wood County, to which this 
region was then attached, in 1822, and this action of Williams County 
appears unnecessary further than a recognition of the State's action - 
see subchapter on Public Roads on later page. It was also orcKred 
that the name of such part of Auglaise Township as organized by the 
Wood County Commissioners, and is situated in the lately organized 
County of Williams, be changed to the name Defiance Township, 
according to the petition of sundr\- electors. The road on the south 
bank of the Maumee River from the east line of Henry County south- 
westward to the farm of Samuel Kepler, three miles below Defiance, 
was accepted as previously laid out by David Delong, Samuel Bowers 
and Payne C. Parker, viewers and surveyor. The contemplated road 
from Samuel Kepler's farm up the Maumee along the south bank to 
'Delaware Town' (on the right bank of the river nearly opposite the 
present Village The Bend) and thence on the north side of the river to 
the Indiana line, was rejected on account of the viewers' non-compli- 
ance with the Statutes. 

At the Commissioners' meeting June 7, 1^25, William Semans was 



530 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

appointed Treasurer of Williams County. His bond and oath of office 
were accepted the same date. Specifications were given for a jail as 
soon as the ]iermanent seat of justice shall be established, in the same 
manner as heretofore described in a former order of said Commission- 
ers.'* . . . The listers and appraisers of property for taxation were 
this year allowed for their services by townships as follows : Defiance 
$12.50; Delaware $H. 75; Richland $3. r2>2 ; Damascus, which included 
all of Henry County, $1.87>2. 

At a public sale July 20, 1825, John Blair was the lowest bidder at 
six per cent for the collection of the County tax. Pierce Evans and 
James M'Connell were his bondsmen. At a special session of the 
Commissioners August 22, 1825, Timothy S. Smith resigned the ofBce 
of County Auditor, and Thomas Philbrick was appointed to fill the 
vacancy until the next election, but George Lantz served instead. 
October 15th Isaiah Hughes was appointed by the Court, Commissioner 
in place of Benjamin Leavell, resigned. Clark Philbrick was allowed 
two dollars December 6th for making a standard half bushel measure, 
and a brand, for the County. A County Road was this day granted, to 
cross the Auglaise River at the present Hopkins Street and extend 
along the south bank of the Maumee eastward to Samuel Kepler's farm 
at the Defiance Moraine or South Ridge; also a County Road from the 
Indiana line along the north side of the Maumee 'to cross Bean Creek 
[Tiffin River] at or near Perkins' Mill [the present Brunersburg] and 
thence to the ford of the Maumee River at Defiance opposite 
[James] Jolly's Tannery in said town.' It was also ordered at this 
meeting that twenty in-lots be offered for sale on the first Monday of 
February, 1826, they being one-half of forty lots donated and deeded 
by the proprietors of the village plat to the Commissioners 'for the 
benefit of the County.' Others of these lots were sold later. 

Horatio N. Curtis, a pioneer to Paulding County, wrote for the 
Antwerp, Ohio, Gazette newspaper in later years that his second visit to 
this region was in the year 1825. There were then at Defiance one 
small store, one tavern, and five or six families. Isaac Hull also had a 



"■■ It is evident from this record that there was a former meeting of the Commissioners of which 
no record is found. The jail here mentioned was built of Io«s in the most primitive way. It was 
situated in Defiance on the west side of Wayne Street near Second, on the site of the [present jail. The 
only prisoner at one time in the summer of 1826 was a vagabond Aborigine who had been arrested on the 
charge of stealing a watch. The time of the next court when he could have legal trial, was several 
months distant; and several young rnen, among whom were Allen Braucher, Frederick Bridenbaugh and 
James Spafford. perhaps at suggestion of some of their adult friends, determined upon his release. One 
evening when Sheriff Preston was at his home, a double log house east of the .Auglaise River about the 
present 439 Auglaise Avenue, the party took the key from the nail near the door of the jail where the 
Sheriff kept it, unlocked the door and told the prisoner to get out of town. His steps were quickened 
by two rows of young men between whom he was made to pass and who smartb' plied the whips in their 
hands to his back — in fact he was forced to run a mild kind of gauntlet somewhat after the manner of 
his people — and he was not again seen. 



CENTRAL PART OF BASIN GOVERNED AT DEFIANCE. 531 

store on the north side of the^Maumee ' opposite Defiance, and had an 
extensive trade with the Aborigines.' 

The year lS2ri was one of increased activity and extension of the 
work of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Detroit District was 
organized this year with two appointments in Michigan Territory 
(Detroit Station and Detroit Circuit) and two ap])ointments in Ohio, 
the Ditianci- Mission and the Wyandot Mission at Upper Sandusky. 
Revtrmil William Simmons of Xenia, Ohio, was the first I'residing 
Elder, and i)robal)ly the first preacher at Defiance, in 1H25. He soon 
si'nt Rrvennd Weir to Drfiance as missionary. In 1H-_>H Rev. Elias Pettit 




GERMAN KthOKMEU CHURCH BUILDING AND PARSONAGE 
Southwest corner Washint'ton and Fourth Streets, Defiance. This Church house was the second one buil* 
in Defiance by the Methodists, in 1841 on the southwest corner of Wayne and Third Streets. It was sold 
to and moved by its present owners in 1872. The original form is retained. From photograph of 

May 11. 1904. 

(Patten or Pattee?) was sent to this mission which was then in the Mon- 
roe, Michigan, Circuit following division of the Detroit Conference. 
Meetings were held in the dwelling house of Benjamin Leavtll until 
later in 1826 when a Class was organized and a small Church house was 
built of logs at the present 406 Wa\ne Strt-et. The names of these 
first members have not been preserved. Fort Defiance charge included 
all the Maumee Valley from the Indiana State line to about Waterville 
which was included with the \'illage of Maumee. William Sprague was 
the preacher at Defiance in 1H32-33, and Jacob Martin and John W. 
Cooley in 1834. 



532 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



J. B. Semans, Thomas Warren, James Ward, Isaac Craig and 
Nathan Shirley, were chosen a new board of Trustees June 26, 1841, 
and it was then decided to erect a new Methodist Church building on 
the north corner of their lot, site of the present building 400, 402 
Wayne Street. The contract for this building was let to J. B. Semans 
at the price of $1050. This was a substantial frame building which 
served the Church well until the spring of 1872 when it was sold to the 
German Reformed society and removed to give place for the present 
two storv brick house erected in this year. In 1834 Defiance Methodist 
Circuit consisted of eleven preaching places with only one Church 




GLIMPSE OF SHAWNEE GLEN. CITV OF DEFL^NCE. OHIO 
Lookinc northeast down a tributary lltli October, 190L Part of Morningside Park. 



building — the log house at Defiance. The Church services at the other 
ten places were held at private houses named from their owners in the 
minutes, the situation of only a part of which are now known, as fol- 
lows: [John] Perkins [at the present Brunersburg] Bowen's, Richard- 
son's [probably on the present Bryan road] Coy's [at the present 
Evansport] Hamilton's, Runyan's, Banks', Quick's, Snook's [in the 
present Delaware Township north of the Maumee] and Shirley's [by 
the Auglaise River several miles south of Defiance]. Defiance was 
made a station in 1857 and Reverend Abraham B. Poe was assigned to 
the charge. 



FEATURES OF DEFIANCE PAST AND PRESENT. 533 

James Lvv Gatji- of Columbus, contributed to The Firelands Pioneer 

(magazine) ot June, IHC),"), as follows: 

I opened a law oflice in the winter of lS2ti in Defiance. Williams County. I think 
the first in Williams County. It was in an upper room in the inn of Benjamin Leavell, 
an upriyht man in whose excellent family I boarded. He was one of the proprietors of 
the town. My oflice was also my bedroom and. on public days, it was also the bedroom 
of many others. I.and and lots were far more abundant than dwellings. There were 
but few families in town I remember only those of i Robert] Wasson, Benjamin Leavell. 



r>0-t 



P-^. •.'^ 



■mm^ i m 



-.. •■.■-4i«iv> 



m-f:^^M 






... , -u.^ 



"^mi 



^, i.-, .^. i' 



•^.ni3S!>Kir 






SH.WV.NLE GI.KN WITHIN CITY OF DEFI.-iNCE, OHIO 
From near ihe mouth of the principal tributary. Sulphur Springs in the distance. 



Doctor John Evans the Clerk of the Court, George Lantz the Recorder, and Forman 
Evans. All these have, I believe, passed to the spirit land, unless Judge Forman 
Evans survives. 

There were, when I removed to the Maumee country in 1824. in all the fourteen 
northwestern counties [now bv subdivision nineteen counties] but few more white people 
than are now in the present restricted limits of Williams County. Within these limits 
[of the present Williams County] there was not then a solitary white man. The settle- 
ments were confined to the borders of the rivers, and did not extend far above Defiance. 
There were on the lower Maumee quite a number of mongrel French and Aborigines ; and 
in the fourteen counties there were more savages than white people. These savages 
were mostly a degenerate, drunken remnant of Ottawas and Pottawotamies. There were, 
also, a few Wyandots and Miamis who were splendid specimens of physical man. The 
sugar consumed in Williams and Wood Counties at that time was mostly made by these 
savages ; and it was a most filthy product inasmuch as they would boil their game in it [in 
the sap of the sugar maples while condensing to sugar] and that too. I was told [with the 
game] in undressed condition. They brought this sugar in bark vessels, called Mococks, 



534 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



holding thirty to fifty pounds each. They were so shaped as to be carried like a knap- 
sack. They used small brass kettles for evaporating the sap. These Aborigines also 
brought in most of the honey that was used. It was always strained, but it was strained 
through their blankets, which were never washed except after straining this honey. The 
Aborigines also supplied us with cranberries and whortleberries, both of which were 
abundant and cheap. 

There were then in Williams [that part now Defiance] County, Montgomery Evans, 
Pierce Evans, Judge [John] Perkins, the two elder Hiltons [Joshua and Horace, brothers] 
Judge [Robert] Shirley and his two sons [James and Robert] Christian Shouf, Major 
Rice, Mr. Byers, and an old man named Myers who was drowned in April. 1S27, in a 




THE FIRST BRICK COURT HOUSE IN NORTHWESTERN OHIO 

Looking northeast 21st April. 1902. It was built in 1826 near the northeast corner of Wayne and Second 
Streets. Detiance. It served the present Detiance, Williams. Paulding, and Putnam. Counties as a Court 
House and it was also used for religious meetings, schools, etc. The late Chief Justice of the United 
States Supreme Court, Morrison R. Waite of Toledo, made one of his earliest legal pleas in this house. 
It has for many years last past been in comfortable use as a private residence by the Hon. Henry Hardy. 
The First Presbyterian Church to the right was begun building in 184^. and was dedicated in June, 1856. 



little bayou while intoxicated. Judge Samuel Vance and Charles Gunn also resided within 
the judicial limits of Williams County at Prairie du Masque [now Damascus, Henry 
County]. So did the half-breed Mohegan named Porter, who was afterwards hung at 
Perrysburg for the murder of Isaac Richardson [see ante page 521]. 

One day a party put fire to a shell [to the fuse of a six-pounder cannon shell that 
had been left at the abandonment of Fort Winchester in the spring of 181.5] which 
exploded. One piece struck Mr. Leavell's house eight or ten rods distant, breaking the 
siding : another piece struck a house nearer with greater force. . . No person was 
injured. 

In 182(1 I paid the whole of the Williams County State Tax with Wolf-scalp Cer- 
tificates, and drew a heavy percentage besides from the State Treasury in payment of 
the balance due the wolf hunters of Williams County for wolves killed that year within 



RELATION OF DEFIANCE TO NORTHWESTERN OHIO. 555 

the limits of that County (wliith then Roverned the present Defiance. Henry. Paulding, 
anil I'utnam Counties]. 

Ebenezer Lane was the second Jud^jc of Common Plias in north- 
western Ohio. He succeeded George Tod in 1825, and was the first 
President Judge to hold Court at Defiance or by the Maumee in Ohio 
above Perrvsburg. He was succeeded by David Higgins, who wrote 
as follows:* 




A CORNER IN THE AUTHORS COLLECTION OF RELICS 

June 18. 1903. in all comprisine many hundreds of articles that have served important use here in history 
of man. and have been supplanted by modern inventions. The thrifty pioneers made their clothing from 
flax and wool. In cases of necessity, usually before flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) could be cultivated, 
the women and children gathered the stalks of hemp {Cannabis sativa L.' or of nettles, probably the 
Clearweed [Adicea pumila L.. Raf.! and possibly they found some wild yellow flax iLinum striatum Walt.) 
which they stripped, dressed, spun, and wove into linen cloth that did good service. 

I was elected by the General .\ssembly Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit of Ohio 
in February, 18:». The Circuit lying in the northwest corner of the State, included 
about one-fifth part of the territory of Ohio, . . and was composed of the counties of 
Huron, Richland, Delaware, Sandusky, Seneca, Crawford. Marion, Wood. Hancock. 
Henry. Williams, Putnam. Paulding and Van Wert. The Counties of Henry. Paulding, 
Putnam, and Van Wert, were unorganized and attached to adjacent counties [from which 
.\Ilen, .\uglaise. Defiance, Fulton, and Lucas, have been since formed]. . . 

We had been attending Court at Findlay. Our Circuit route from that town was 
first to Defiance, and from there to Perrysburg. A countryman agreed to take our horses 



* Compare Knapp's History of the Maumee Valley, page 279. 



556 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

directly through the Black Swamp to Perrysburg [along the military road, see map ante 
page 28]. We purchased a canoe [the good pirogue Jurisprudence] and taking with us 
our saddles, bridles, and baggage, proposed to descend the Blanchard and Auglaise 
Rivers to Defiance. Our company consisted of Rodolphus Dickinson, J. C. Spink, 
'Count' [Andrew] Coffinberry, myself, and a countryman whose name I forgot. The 
voyage was a dismal one to Defiance, through an unsettled wilderness of some sixty miles 
[and more]. Its loneliness was only broken by the intervening Aborigine settlement at 
the Ottawa village, where we were hailed and cheered lustily by the 'Tawa Aborigines as 
would be a foreign warship in the port of New York. From Defiance we descended the 
Maumee to Perrysburg where v/e found all well. In descending the Maumee we came 
near running into [a part of] the rapids where we would probably have been swamped ; 
but we were hailed from the shore and warned of our danger. . . 

Defiance was incorporated as a village in January, 1836, and the 
election of its first officers was held the second Tuesday of the next 
April resulting as follows: John Lewis Mayor; James Hudson, Jonas 
Colby, Amos Evans, Horace Sessions and Jacob Kniss Trustees. The 
Mayor qualified before Forman Evans Associate Judge of Common 
Pleas Court, and the other officers before the Mayor, excepting Horace 
Sessions who declined to serve and John Oliver was qualified instead. 
George W. Crawford was appointed Recorder in place of E. S. Per- 
kins elected but ineligible; John Hilton was appointed Marshall; 
E. C. Case Assessor, and Alfred Purcell Treasurer. John Lewis 

resigned the office of Mayor December 30, 1836, and Doctor 

Crawford was appointed to fill the vacancy. An ordinance at the first 
meeting of the Trustees provided that ' Any person or persons destroy- 
ing the public point lying in the junction of the Maumee and Auglaise 
Rivers [the earthworks of Fort Defiance] either by shooting, chopping 
or digging, or in any manner whatever, upon conviction before the 
Mayor shall be subject to a fine.' 

In the year 1839 Williams County voted to remove the seat of 
government from Defiance — Hicksville, Milford, Farmer and Wash- 
ington Townships in the present Defiance County being most active in 
this movement — and in July, 1840, land for a Court House was ac- 
cepted as a gift from the American Land Company at the site of the 
present Williams County Court House in Bryan, which was then but 
little cleared of forest trees, and which village there platted was named 
in honor of John A Bryan, and a Court House was built in 1840-41. 
The brick Court House at Defiance was sold for private use. 

Defiance County, Ohio, 

Was organized by Act of the Legislature 4th March, 1845, to become 
operative after the first Monday in April. This County was composed 
of townships taken from other counties as follows: From Henry, 
Adams Township which had as taxpayers in 1837, Phineas Adams, 
George Briggs, Jacob Becker, Jonathan Davidson, Joseph Frantz, 



ORGANIZATION OF DEFIANCE COUNTY OHIO. 



557 



jolin Honiish ciinic IHJid, jolui Ilivi-ly, Jarol) Hivily, Darius Jones, 
Kli Markfl, William Mosht-r (the first stttlir in Kiclmvillt- ) Jacob 
Shock, Amos Shivuly, John Scott, Jacob Tittle. Kicliland Township 
which had as settlers in 1837, Edward Bean, Isaac E. Braucher came 
1H"24, Erastus Carter, Christopher Braucher, Susanna Crais, Christo- 
pher Coojicr, I>"lizab(th Derum, William Dany, Jacob Davis, Jonathan 

Evans, J. C. Freedy, Groves 
llully (julick, Je|)tha Groves, 
iCdward Hughes, Joseph Hive- 
ly, Michael Hively, Thomas 
Hively, Jacob James, Samuel 
Kepler came 1822, Jasper 
Landes, Thomas Lewis, George 
Luckinbill, M. James, James 
Moorehead, Jacob Markel, John 
Richart, Frederick R i c h a r t , 
James Lewis, William Rohn, 
came 1822, Charles Rohn, 
Samuel Rohn came 1822, John 
Stout, Solomon Shaw, Edward 
Shasteen, George Tittle, W'il- 
liam Shasteen, Peter Tittle, 
Ishmael Wilson, Benjamin 
Weidenhamer came 1 8 ;{ 4 ; 
Highland Township taken in 
part from Henry Putnam and 
Paulding Counties, having as tax 
paying settlers in 1837, Henry 
Brechbill came 1835, Isaac 
Fisher, Philip Bellinger, James 
S. Greer, William Griffith, Henry Graper, Hiram Griffith, Jacob Greer, 
Sawyer Gonard, Tarleton M'Farland, John M. Sanford: from Pauld- 
ing County was taken the south part of the present Defiance Town- 
ship; and from Williams County came the townships of Hicksville, 
Milford, Farmer, Mark, Delaware, Washington, Tiffin and Noble. 

The first term of Common Pleas Court for Defiance County was 
held April 2, 1845, in a small brick schoolhouse than standing at the 
present 506 Wavne Street, Defiance. During the years 1845-46 a new 
and rather pretentious Court House was built facing Clinton Street 
between Second and Court Streets, one square west of the first Court 
House — see engraving ante page 534. The cost of this second Court 
House was about S7500. It was razed in the year 1870 to give place 
to the present building. The first jail was built in 1825 at the site of 




FIRST UEhlANCE COUNTY COURT HOUSE 

1&I5-1871 ; the second in the Village of Defiance. See 
ante page 534. Photographed in 1866. 



538 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



the prtsent jail on Wayne Strtet, and opposite the Court House built 
in iSiIC) In the Commissioners of Williams County. This jail was a 
loK luiildini; sixteen feet square, one story high, and with a shake roof. 
In lH3r) a new jail was built, after the plan then current, of squared 
logs, doubled in first story tin- inner course being upright. The second 
story was for thc' iniiiriscMnrunt of persons convicted for non-payment 
of debt. It was of single wall, and was entered by outside stairs. 
This building did service for Williams County for ten years, for De- 
fiance County twenty-five years, and was replaced in 1h7() by the 
present commodious and modern structure of jail and Sheriff's resi- 
dence facing Second Street, corner of Wavne. 








DEFIANCE, OHIO, IN THE VE.^R 1846 

Sketched by Heniy Howe. Lock Number One. enterine the Miami and Erie Canal into the Maumee 
River on the right; Exchange Hotel with belfry beyond at corner of Clinton and Second Streets; Court- 
house built in 1845-46 opposite to the left. Trading and Warehouses at south end of Clinton Street Bridge. 
Mouth of the .'Vuglaise River and site of Fort Defiance by the flagpole on the left. Looking southeast. 
Defiance and vicinity had a population at this time of between four and five hundred people. 

The era of great speculation and purchases of lands began in the 
central part of this Basin in the year 1H34 when James Samuel Wads- 
worth of New York, from 1H61-64 General in the war against the 
Southern Rebellion, and his brother, purchased many thousand acres 
of land along the Maumee and Auglaise Rivers. Much of these lands 
were managed in later years by John F. Deatrick of Defiance. The 
Hicks Land Company of New York City, and the American Land 
Company, purchased land in 1H35-36, the former in the western part of 
the present Defiance County and the latter in Williams County, to the 
aggregate of over 100,000 acres. Parties from Columbus, and other 



THE ERA OF LAND SYNDICATES AND SPECULATION. 559 

parts of Ohio, also purchast-d larmly of land in tin I5asin. Henry W. 
Hicks of the firm of Samuel Hicks and Sons shippinj; merchants, 
New York City, and Isaac S. Smith of thi' firm of Smith and Macy, 
Steamboat Owners and Commission Merchants of Buffalo, New York, 
composed the hrm of the Hicks Land Company. John A. Hryan of 
Columbus, then Auditor for Ohio acted as a^nt in selecting lands for 
this company and Ei>hraim Hurwell oi Columbus was sent to the land 
to open a road, to choose site for a town and start the sale of lands. 
The site of tile jiresent Hicksvilie was chosen for the village. Its 
survey was comjileted Hrd Sei>tt-mber, 1836, and the present Hicksvilie 
and Antwerj) road as far as the Maumee River was surveyed. Mr. 
Smith sold his interest in the land to Mr. Hicks who sent Alfred P. 
Edgerton a young bookkeeper in his business house to Hicksvilk' to 
take charge of his interests. Mr. lidgerton arrived at this embryo 
town in the wilderness the 17th \pn\ 1h;!7. He was a man of great 
energy and of good judgment. lie remaint'd agent for the .\nierican 
Land (Company until the remainder of their land was divided among 
the memiiers and the company dissolved. He also continued as agent 
for his first employer, Henr\- \\'. Hicks of the Hicks Land Company, 
until his death 24th September, IHIJT, and continued to act for his 
widow until her interest was purchased.* He also represented the 
present Counties of Defiance, Williams, Paulding, \'an Wert, Mercer, 
Auglaise, Allen, Henry, Putnam, and part of Fulton, in the Ohio 
Senate in 184.") ; and in 1850 he was chosen Rei)resentative in Congress. 
In 1885 he was appointed United States Civil Service Commissioner. 
He died at Hicksvilie 14th May, ls97, aged eighty-four years, favorably 
known throughout the Basin. 

The Legislature of Ohio in 1849 ordered the removal of the State 
Land Office at Lima to Defiance for the sale of United States Grant 
of alternate land Sections in aid of the Miami and Erie Canai, and of 
the Ohio section of the Wabash and Erie Canal. Hamilton Davison 
who had been elected Receiver at this office in Lima for four years, 
established the office in Defiance. The State Land Office that had for 
some length of time been open at Perry sburg by the lower Maumee, 
was also united with the Defiance Office by the same Legislative Act, 
and Mr. Davison had entire control. The former appraisement of 
these lands at price varying from $1.25 to S3. 00 per acre, was now 
ordered at one-third discount to actual settlers in quantitv not to e.xceed 
160 acres ; and this order brought many purchasers. The wood buiid- 



" These early land purchases did not prove very profitable. The first cost, taxes, assessments' 
eipenses of agencies, the length of time required to sell the lands, with competing dealers, low prices 
and often long terms of payment, and interest on the investments, left little if any profit. It was only 
from <iuicker and fortunate disposal of timber or land, that profit resulted. 



540 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



ing in which this office was located, on the south bank of the Maumee 
River, northwest corner of Clinton and Front Streets, was destroyed 
by fire before daybreak of April 10, 1851. The second story was 
occupied jointly with the United States Land Office, the Registrar of 
which ( Abner Root who usually slept in the office) was absent at the 
time of the fire, and most of the United States plats and papers were 
burned, necessitating the sending of duplicates from Washington. 
Receiver Davison succeeded in entering the office and pushing his 
little iron safe to and down the stairs, thus saving the plats of the 
State Lands and other i)apers which enabled him to immcdiatcK- cnn- 




FORT DEFIAN'CE PARK, DEFIANCE, OHIO. AND FIRST CENTENNIAL BLOCKHOtlSES 

Looking southwest 10th April, 1900. Second Street Bridge Across Auglaise River on the left; St. Mary 
Roman Catholic Church beyond. Beyond the tree at the right Blockhouse is seen the spire of St. Paul 
Methodist Episcopal Church. To the right is the smoke of the Erie Flouring Mill, and The Defiance 
Machine Works. The Court House tower and chimneys are ftirther to the right, with the City Hall tower, 
and spire of St. John Roman Catholic Church to their right and beyond. The logs in the foreground 
are near the last of an unexcelled forest. 



tinue sales in the upper room of a store by the Canal Lock No. 1 near-by. 
After most of the State Lands were sold, the Legislature abolished the 
offices of Registrar and Receiver, and General Reuben H. Gilson was 
given char.ge of the remaining State Lands with the title of Land 
Agent. He kept the office in his bank at the southwest corner of 
Clinton and First Streets, Defiance. He was succeeded in 1854 by 
Levin Porter who nearly completed the sales by 1857 when all the 
papers of the office were sent to the Auditor of State, Columbus. 
Some of these lands by the Canal were sold for from eight to fourteen 
dollars per acre. 



THE ERA OF SHIPTIMBER CUTTING AND SHIPPING. 541 

EaiK' in tin- iHfjO's tin- Uritisli shipvards Ixcanic inquaintcd with 
the superior qualities of size, solidity and toujihnt-ss of the oak timber 
of this Basin, whereupon an increasing tide of foremen with companies 
of choppers, scorers and hewers, brawny and expert axmen, mostly 
French from Lowi r Canada, swe|>t u]) the Maumee River each year to 
Defiance as tluir headcpiarters. They came not like their forebears of 
two centuries before, but with ki-en axes that during each winter con- 
tiiiuall\- sounded and ci liord the destruction ol the mighty forest, and 




KAl'T Ol- SHII'TIMBEK .SylAKI.U DAK 11.M1U,K IN THE MAUMKK KIVT-.K 

At Defiance, Ohio. 4th June. 1902. This is a small but complete Raft, containing fourteen Canal Lock- 
inRS and about 11.76(> cubic feet — the last run of a «reat industry. The Shanty is the Cooking and Lodu- 
ing House of the Rafters, and it carries the hay on its roof for the horses that draw the Raft through the 
River and the Miami and Erie Canal. Lookinu southeast from the Clinton Street Bridce. Fort Defiance 
Park and the Mouth of the Auglaise River beyond the raft— see ante page .^2.^. 

betokened the advent of a numerous populatinii of tillers of the soil. 
At first the timber was sold for two cents i^er cubic toot, the purchaser 
to cut wherever and whatever he desired, he also to do all the meas- 
uring, and to report as he desired. This at first related to the oak 
only. The large trees of softer woods required in the rafts as floats to 
keep the oak from sinking were not considered here of value worth 
mentioning although they were of value in Toledo where the rafts were 
separated and the oak loaded on vessels for (Juebec there to be 
reshipped to Europe. As the largest, fairest of the trees near the 



542 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

rivers and canals were cut, the axmen moved back into the forest. 
The lands were soon purchased by the increasing and competing 
timbermen, the price paid varying from five to ten dollars per acre; 
and these purchasers after cutting the timber as fully as they thought 
desirable would sell the land to others at a great advance, and the new 
purchaser would sell to others or would himself cut the largest trees 
left. This process has been repeated a number of times, first with the 
oak timber and later with the softer woods. This work continued 
actively for a third of a century, with twelve to fifteen years in the 
decline. Joel Dils was one of the active leaders in 1855; Sherrel 
Weaver from above Rochester, New York, in 1856; Seraphin Daoust 
from Coteau, Canada; Alonzo Chesbrough from Lockport, New York; 
Calvin and Breck from Kingston, Canada, with Alpheus A. Aldrich 
and Samuel Booth as helpers; Sylvester Neelon of St. Catharines, 
Canada; also Charles J. Cheneve^rt of Quebec who came in 1868 to 
remain and whose son Charles Edward has gathered up the last of such 
trees in this Basin during the last few years. There were many others, 
business men with capital, contractors, and foremen, at work in this 
shiptimber cutting, squaring and rafting during the earlier years. 

Formerly the staves for barrels, like shingles, were riven and shaven 
by hand from the smaller oak trees and from other timber that could 
be easily split. The heavy growths of elm were thought valueless, and 
in the clearings they, with noble growths of hickories, black walnut, 
ash, and maple that were in the way and could not readily be turned to 
better account than their ashes were cut down and, when dry were 
gathered promiscuously into 'log heaps'" and burned with the brush. 
Demand soon came for the more valuable timber ; and about the year 1863 
it was determined that the elm trees, which had been looked upon as 
worthless cumberers of the ground, would make valuable staves for 
lighter barrels. The tenacious fibres of this wood, however, made its 
splitting impracticable, but here as in other affairs the ingenuity of man 
overcame the difficulty. A strong, sharp, horizontal blade was set in 
strong frame with downward motion to slice staves from short sections 
of logs or parts of the larger logs that had been boiled or steamed in 
compartments made for the purpose. This was the beginning of the final 
era for the conquering of the forest. These stave-making mills ' fac- 
tories' multiplied in the succeeding years into hundreds along the 
canals, and along each succeeding railway. 

The preparation of hoops for barrels also became a great industry. 
At first, and so long as sufficient supply lasted, the hickory saplings — 
the younger trees which were found in countless number — of proper 
size were cut, split, smoothed, and sent in straight bundles to the city 
markets. No machinery was required for this work and, in fair, mild 



THE ERA OF GENERAL CLEARING OF THE FOREST. 545 

weather, llir work was cIoik m th< oin-ii air, and at otlur times in 
shantifs. Tlu' money received for tlie riRlit, the cutting, and the prep- 
aration of hoojj-poles, was an important item in the paying for the land 
and in furnishinti the food and sujiplies for many of the first settlers. 
This important branch ol tin- timber industry was sometimes sneered 
at bv residents of older and K ss fortunate parts of the State, and even 




THE Vll.I.ACE OF DEFIANCE IN 1(<«6 LOOKING SOl'TH 

to this time their former members of the Legislature in their reminis- 
cent moods speak of the representatives from the Maumee region as 'of 
the Hoop-pole District.' 

About the year 1880 hoops from elm tree bodies began to be made 
by slicing them from boiled plank that had been sawed to proper thick- 
ness for the hoop's width. This process was followed after a vear or 
two by small saws to cut hoops of right thickness from planks without 
the boiling. ,\bout 1HH7 rotary veneer cutting machines were employed 
wherein the cutting blade is stationary and the rotating steam-boiled 
logs are sliced into continuous sheets for thickness, which are then 
divided into hoops of proper widths by the downward blade of another 
machine. Yet another machine rolls several of these hoops, from eight 
to twelve as desired, together into compact coil for convenience of 
counting and shipping. 



S44 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



These stave and hoop making mills became inciters of new villages 
the existence of many of which is now but a memorj' since the scarcitj' 
of timber caused removal of the machinery to other places; and the 
timber has become so scarce that only an occasional stave and hoop 
'factory' can now be found in the J^asin. They well fulfilled their 
mission as agencies for the final clearing of the land from which the 
oak and other more generall\' valuable trees had been taken. The 
prices of the later timber also increased with the competition until the 
elm that had been rejected for so many years by timber dealers, in later 
vears netted the owners far more money than did the heavy oak removed 
in former years. 

Many other manufactories were established in this Basin which 
used much of this large growth of timber of all kinds, among the 

principal ones being those for hubs, 
spokes, fellies, etc., for wagons 
and carriages ; agricultural ini])le- 
ments of various kinds, trucks, 
boxes, shipping crates, wheelbar- 
rows, furniture, pails, handles of 
all kinds including knobs, and 
diinension lumber of all kinds. 

There have been man}- trees of 
different species in this Basin that, 
even among the general very large 
growths, have been very notable for 
their size and grandeur. But few 
of these will here be mentioned in 
addition to those already named — 
see Diary of General Wayne's Cam- 
paign beginning ante page 19 5 
where encampments are named from 
large trees. The Council Elm on 
the left bank of the Maumee River 
at the Grand Rapids was for gener- 
ations a great landmark — see map ante page 309. So were the 
large apple tree and the Council Elm at Fort Wayne — see map 
ante page 97 ; and the Council Oak and the Great Apple Tree at 
Defiance — see map ante page 191. The pioneer settlers in the 
Maumee River region marveled at the large number and size of the 
appletrees found here at the time of their advent, particularly at 
Defiance and Fort Wayne. None could tell them of the age of these 
trees; but they were undoubtedly planted by the fruit-loving pioneer 
French, like the apple trees along the Detroit and St. Lawrence 




THE GREAT APPLE TREE AT DEFIANCE 
A man six feet in height standing by it. 



THE MORE NOTABLE OF THE LATER GREAT TREES. 545 



Rivers.* Gtrnral \Va\ lU' spand tin- threat apple- truo on the bank of 
thf MauiTiLf opposite his Fort Deliance in 17!)4. It was also si>arLd 
by General Winchester and the other commanders who led their soldiers 
past it in the War of 1H12. For many years after the i>i rmanent settle- 
ment bet^an, this and other trees in the vicinitv supplied every man, 
woman and child with all the apples they wanted, and very Kood apples 
they wer.' as all the old residents of Dehance can yet testify. Records 
be>;an to be made, and the tree on the north bank of the Maiimee 
opposite the site of Fort Defiance became recorded as the largest 
appli' tree ill America. Henson J. Lossin^ visited Defiance in the \ ear 
1H60 in interest of his Pictorial Field-Boole of the War of 1812, and he 
wrote of this 'aged and ^jigantic tree.' Decay had begun in it, how- 
ever, at this time.t 

There have been many other trees in this Basin that partook of the 
endurance, the magnitud.-, and the grandeur of the massive oaks sur- 
rounding them. About the middlr 
of March, 1901, a black walnut tree 
(Juglans nigra l^J was cut in east- 
ern Williams County, Ohio, that 
measured over eight feet in diam- 
eter, and over seventy feet to the 
first limb. This tree was valued at 
over $4000 but was sold to a Boston 
firm for §3;iOO.t This kind of timber 
was used lavishly in the earlv frame 
buildings, and for fencing. A dwell- 
ing house taken down at Defiance 
in 1901 yielded valuable ciuantity 
and (juality of heavy black walnut 
timber in its frame, and of like lumber in its heavy interior finish. .\ 
Button-wood or Plane-tree ( Platanus occidentalis 'LJ commonly called 
sycamore, was cut Ibth February, 190:2, near Junction, Paulding County, 




THE SECOND HOME 

Deserted several years ago for a more inodeni 
structure, but yet (19(M) staiidiit^ near Sherwood. 



* There were a large number of apple trees along the Detroit River in 1718, Compare Paris 
Document VH, New York Colonial Documents volume ix, page 886. 

t According to writings by Joseph Ralston and Benjamin B. Woodcox, the latter living many years 
in the yard with the tree and a carpenter used to measurements, this venerable tree measured twenty-one 
feet and nine inches in circumference four feet above the ground ; another record gives it twenty-seven 
feet. It was upwards of forty-tive feet in height, and was over sixty feet in foliage diameter. About 
1850 the branches began to split the trunk from its decay and their weight, and in 18.^.5 the two larger, the 
east and west, branches were bolted together with an iron rod three-fourths inch in diameter and fourteen 
feet in length for their support. The south branch fell to the ground about the year 1875; and the last 
branch went down from the wind in 1887, ' In the year 1863 upwards of one hundred and twenty-fivo 
bushels of fair size tart apples were picked from this tree ' ~ from printed leaflet now in the writer's 
possession. See Addresses. Memorials and Sketches by the Maumee Valley Pioneer Association 1901, 
page M. ^ 

i Toledo Daily Blade Sih April, 1903, 



546 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

for John Marshall and Son of Defranct-, that muasurud seven feet and 
four inches in diameter, and that was estimated to cut 15,000 feet of 
lumber. Many elm trees previously bouj^ht by this firm, furnished 
eight good logs each over twelve feet in length. 

Fort Wayne and Northeastern Indiana. 

The white people at Fort Wayne after the Treaty of Greenville in 
1814, in addition to the Garrison, were: Benjamin F. Stickney Aborig- 
ine Agent and Perry B. Kircheval his clerk; George and John E. Hunt 
with a store of goods for the Aborigine trade; also John P. Hedges 
with a store, and Peter Oliver. Prominent among the settlers who 
arrived in 1815 were Doctors Turner and Samuel Smith from Lancaster, 
Ohio, and the French traders Louis Bourie and Charles and James 
Peltier with their families. Doctor Trevitt came in 1816. 

This year a new United States building was erected, principally by 
the soldiers, on the site of the one burned by the savages in 1812 south- 
west of the Fort. This was for use of the Agent in paying annuities to 
and counselling with the Aborigines who, after the War of 1812 and the 
renewal of treaties, gathered around to be fed. The condition of these 
Aborigines at this time is mentioned on page ante 428. 

Indiana was admitted to the Union as a State lyth April, 181(3, the 
Act of Congress providing that latitude 41^ 46' should be the northern 
boundary, or about ten miles north of the territorial line. This line 
was not surveyed and marked until the sirring of 1827. Northeastern 
Indiana was yet included in Knox County, with capitol at Vincennes. 
This County was represented in the Constitutional Convention held at 
Corydon by John Badolet, John Benefiel, John Johnson, Benjamin 
Parke, and William Polk, none of whom then lived in the northeastern 
part of the State. In the year 1818 Randolph County was organized to 
include all this part of the State, with Winchester as the seat of justice. 

The withdrawal of the soldiers, and the abandonment of Fort 
Wayne in 1819 by the United States, was greatlj' lamented by the 
settlers thereabout, as they had been indebted to the garrison for nearly 
all their social stimulus and diversions. This loss was gradually com- 
pensated for, however, by the arrival of new settlers, prominent among 
whom were Samuel Hanna from Dayton, Ohio, and Captain James 
Riley who came the 24th November to survey the United States lands. 
There were then in the vicinity of the head of the Maumee River less 
than thirty dwelling houses, occupied by French and American families. 
Captain Riley was very favorably impressed with the country. 

There was a rapid influx of people to Fort Wayne Village during 
the summer of 1820* as shown by Captain Riley's letter of November 



* See ante pane 4(17 for description of Fort Wayne at this time by Reverend Isaac MacCoy. 



EARLY AMERICAN SETTLEMENT OF FORT WAYNE. 547 

•JOtli to I'.dwaid TiHiii SurvLVor Gtniral. He also nave account of the 
unsavoiv l)usinfss lluii conductid tlnrc Hi- LStimatid thi- number of 
white iHOi)le tliere at this date as about one tliousand, made up lar^fely 
of traders from Ohio, Michijfan, Indiana, and New York. They were 
attracted thither with their stock for trade ' which was mostly comi)osed 
of si)irituous li(iuors) for the annuity payments to the Aborigines. 
The competition of so many traders, stocked with so much ol intoxi- 
catinf,' lu-verafies, amon^j the several thousand Aborigines who t;athered 
there to receive the United States bounty and who, from nature and 
habit, were unable to resist the teni])tations to drink with whiih they 
were surrounded, jiroduced a bedlam of scenes that were shocking in 
the extreme to all but those whose consciences had become blunted 
and calloused by long association willi the vices of unbridled sensuous 
indultjences. These abuses had been increasing in American territory, 
transferred from Canada since the War of 1812, from the rallying and 
competition of the worst characters among the French, British and 
American traders who, like the grog dealers of all times, generally 
eluded the attempts to curtail their iniquitous business. The remedy 
suggested by Captain Riley for these disgraceful scenes was the speedy 
survey and marketing of the land along the Maumee and Wabash, and 
encouragement for its occui)ancy by farmers. 

The establishment of a Land OfSce at Fort Wayne for eastern 
Indiana, was approved Hth May, 1822. Joseph Holman of Wayne 
County was appointed Registrar and Captain Samuel C. Vance of 
Dearborn County was appointed Receiver. The lands were advertised 
for sale, to begin 2;ird October, 1823, at the site of the Fort, to the 
highest bidder above !8il.2r) per acre the Government's minimum price. 
About fort\' acres around the site of the Fort were reserved by the 
United States. Congress gave authority May 31st, 1830, to the 
Associate Judges of the County of Allen to enter at the Land Office at 
minimum price, for the use and benefit of the County, so much of this 
Reservation of forty acres "including Fort Wayne and the reserve for 
the use of the Aborigine Agency established there, as may not fall to 
the State of Indiana under the Canal Act of 2nd March, 1827." * The 
remains of this Reservation were later set apart for the benefit of the 
Wabash and Erie Canal ; and were sold to Cyrus Taber who platted it 
into forty building lots I'jth April, 1835, and it has since been known 
as Taber's Addition to the City of Fort Wayne. 

In 1821 Alexis Coquillard opened a store for the Aborigine trade at 
Fort Wayne. William G. and George W. Ewing also began trade 
there in 1822 and remained prominent dealers with the Aborigines for 



* Laws 0/ the United States volume viii, page 3(M. 



548 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



many years, extending their trade among other tribes than the Miamis. 
Major Stephen H. Long, of and with the Corps of Topographical 
Engineers while on their way from the East in 1H"23, wrote in his 
Expedition to the Sources of the River St. Peter in Minnesota, regarding 
Fort Wavne as follows: 

At Fort Wayne we made a stay of three days, and to a person visiting the Aborigine 
country for the first time, this place offers many characteristic and singular features. 
The village is small — it has grown under the shelter of the fort, and contains a mixed and 
apparently very worthless population. The inhabitants are chiefly of Canadian origin, 
all more or less imbued with Aborigine blood. The confusion of languages, owing to 
the diversity of Aborigine tribes which generally collect near a fort, makes the traveler 
imagine himself in a real babel. 




CITY OF FORT WAYNE. INDl.'iN.\ 

Looking south of west from the Tower of the Allen County Court House 14th July. 1903. The 
River St. Mary flows from left lo right by the first trees on the right. The Portage Path to Little River 
met the St- Mary toward the left of the view near the French Post Miami built about 1680: and further 
on the left the view is down the middle of the ancient channel that drained the Maumee Glacial Lake 
before the Maumee River began to form. It is now a fertile country. 



The business of a town of this kind differs so materially from that carried on in our 
cities, that it is almost impossible to fancy ourselves within the same territorial limits, but 
the disgust which we entertain at the degraded condition in which the white man, the 



DESCRIPTION OF FORT WA YNE VILLAGE IN 1823. 549 

descendant of thi- Kuropean. appears, is perhaps the strangest sensation which we exper- 
ience. To see a being in whom from his complexion and features we should expect to 
find the same feelings which dwell in the bosom of every refined man, throwing off his 
civilized habits to assume the garb of a savage, has something which partakes of the redic- 
ulous as well as the disgusting. The awkward and constrained appearance of those 
Frenchmen who had exchanged their usual dress for the breech-cloth and blanket was as 
visible as that of the Aborigine who assumes the tight body-coat of the white man. The 
feelings which we experienced while beholding a little Canadian stooping down to pack up 
and weigh the hides which an Aborigine had brought for sale, while the latter stood in an 
erect and commanding posture, were of a mixed and certainly not of a favorable nature. 
At each unusual motion made by the white man, his dress, which he had not properly 
secured, was disturbed, and while engaged in restoring it to its proper place he was the 
butt of the jokes and jibes of a number of squaws and Aborigine boys who seemed already 




CITY OF KORT WAYNE, INDIANA 

Lookini: north from the Tower of the Allen County Court House llth July. IB(l->. The River St- 
Mary is seen on the left. The trees in the middle distance mark the course of the River St. Joseph 
which joins the St. Mary near the left of the Columbia Street Bridce toward the riyht of the view. 
The trees to the rii-ht of the Bridce mark the course of the Mauinee River which turns to the east in 
the distance. The white Flan Staff to the right of the Bridce is on the small triangular piece of 
ground — all that is left free to the public as a park —of the site of General Wayne's Fort Wayne, corner 
of Main and Canal Streets. Beyond is the site of the ancient Kekionga (blackberry patch) the main 
Village of the Miamis; and yet further up the east bank of the St. Joseph is the site of the second 
French Fort Miamis. built in 1T49-,tO and surrendered to the British in 176(). Westward from this Fort, 
on the opposite side of the St. Joseph, was another early prominent .Miami \'illage. 



550 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

to be aware of the vast difference which exists between them and the Canadian furdealers. 
The village is exclusively supported by the fur trade, which has, however, gradually 
declined, owing to the diminution of the Aborigine population. The traders seldom leave 
the town but have a number of Canadians calied engages in their service who accompany 
the Aborigines in their summer hunts, supply them with goods in small quantities, and 
watch them that they shall not sell their goods [furs] to traders other than their em- 
ployers. The furs brought in consist principally of deer and raccoon skins. Bear, otter 
and beaver have become very rare. The skins when brought in are loosely rolled or tied, 
but they are afterward made into packs which are three feet long and eighteen inches 
wide, after being subjected to a heavy pressure in a wedge press. Skins are worth ■. Deer 
(buck) $1.2"); Deer (doe) $1.00; Raccoon $.50: Bear $.^00 to $.).00. The values are 
nominal, as the furs are paid for in goods which are passed off on the .aborigines for more 
than double the prime cost and transportation. The furs are usually sent down the 
Maumee to Lake Erie and thence to Detroit, where they are for the most part purchased 
by the American Fur Company. 

The settlers for citizenship increased slowly. In IH'iil, after the 
division of Indiana into two Congressional districts, there were but 
fifty votes cast in the northern part of the State. Notwithstanding the 
sparse settlements, Allen Csunty was organized 17th December, 182!-3, 
witli jurisdiction over what is now Wells, Adams, and Huntington 
Counties and all other territory of northeastern Indiana. This year 
Allen Hamilton settled at Fort Wayne, and others followed who, like 
him, were an honor to the town and State, contributing to their matt'r- 
ial interests. Fort Wayne was chosen as the seat of government of 
Allen County by Legislature committee composed of W. M. Conner of 
Hamilton County, Abaithes Hathaway and James Ray of Indianapolis, 
early in 1824; and the last week in May the county election resulted in 
the choice of Anthon}' L. Travis for Clerk; Allen Hamilton Sheriff; 
Samuel Hanna and Benjamin Cushman Associate Judges; Joseph 
Holman Treasurer; H. B. MacKeen Assessor: Lambert Cushools 
Constable of Wayne Township then embracing the entire County; 
W. T. Davis Overseer of the Poor; R. Hars Inspector of Elections; 
Israel Taylor, Joseph Troutner, and Moses Scott, Fence Viewers: 
Samuel Hanna Road Supervisor.* 

The first Circuit Court held in .Allen Countx', for all northeastern 
Indiana, was called at Fort Wayne 9th August, 1H"24. This court 
granted citizenship to Francis Aveline from Vincennes, father of 
Francis A. Aveline whose name is perpetuated in several ways at Fort 
Wayne. Indictments were reported for selling spirituous liquor with- 
out license, and the accused were each fined three dollars and costs. 
Another man was fined ten dollars for gambling. There was then no 
newspaper at Fort Wayne; and the nearest one at this time was the 
Enquirer printed at Richmond, Indiana, about one hundred miles 
south. 



' Compare History of Fort Wayne by Wallace A. Brice, 8vo pages 324, IK68, pane 397. 



THE ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES. 



551 



Fort Wavni' was incori)or;Uicl as a town in ]K'2'>: and the 14th 
Nov(.'nilii 1 of this yiar thf first Court of Prol)ato was institutoci, the 
Associate JucIki'S having had charge of Probate Inisincss previous to 
this date. People came and went, the resident jjopulation increasing 
slowly for some years. In 182K there were about oOO citizens; in 1H30, 
HOO: in 1H40, TiOO; in lH.-)0, 4200: in liKUl, l.'sll") within the City of 

Fort Wayne. 

Hancock Colntv, Ohio, 

Was formed 1st April, 1H20, from Aborigine territory, and was attached 
to Wood County for its government. The Township of Waynesfield, 
now alone in Lucas County, was then extended to embrace Hancock 



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THE BLANCHAKD RIVER AT FINDLAY. HHH) 

Looking south of east, up stream. May I, 1902, at low stage of water. The site of Fort Findlay is to 
the right of the Main Street Bridge seen in the distance. Pier and abutments for new bridge in middle 
distance. 

Countx' and other territory. .\t a sjiecial meeting of the Commissioners 
of Wood County, held at Perrysburg I'.lth March, 1823, among other 
business it was ordered that so much of the Township of Waynesfield 
as is included in the unorganized County of Hancock, be set off and 
organized into a Township by the name of Findlay, and that the 
election for Township officers be held on the first day of July, A. D. 
1823, at the house of Wilson Vance in the said Township. Wilson 



552 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



Vance was chosen Justice of the Peace at this election and he qualified 
September 9, 1823, before Thomas R. M' Knight of Perrysburg. 
Robert M'Kinnis was also elected Justice and qualified before Wilson 
Vance 4th October. 

In common with the sites of other forts of prominence, that of 
Fort Findlay became a station for travelers in quest of desirable places 

to settle after the War (if 1H12. One Tharp remained at the 

Fort with other members of the 
garrison after the abandonment 
by the United States in the fall 
of 1814, and he traded with the 
Aborigines. Benjamin Cox re- 
moved his family from Greene 
County, Ohio, to Fort Findlay 
in 1815, this being probably the 
first family to settle there; and 
his daughter Lydia was born 
there in 1817, she being the first 
white child. An older daughter 
of Mr. Cox in after years wrote 
of their experiences as follows : 
My mother, my sister and my- 
self gathered the stalks of net- 
tles which grew on the river 
[Blanchard] bottoms below the 
town from which we stripped 
fiber enough, that on being 
dressed like flax, was spun and woven into linen to the amount of forty 
yards, and was made into clothing for the family.* 

Other families came and, not liking the level and then wet country, 
passed along the military road to the lower Maumee. Wilson Vance 
came in 1818, and his brother Joseph, afterward Governor of Ohio, 
obtained claims and, with the assistance of Elnathan Cory, set stakes 
for a village at Fort Findlay in 1821. In 1822 the settlement was 
increased by the arrival of John P. Hamilton or Hambleton ; Robert 
M'Kinnis or M'Innis and family including sons Charles, Philip, James 
and John, and son-in-law, Jacob Poe ; Squire Carlin, Nathan Frakes, 
William Moreland, Joseph Sleight, Matthew Riley, William Taylor, 
James B. Thomas and John Simpson. Others followed to the number 
of seventy-four electors the 7th April, 1828, when Hancock County 
was organized for independent government. Abraham Huff, Wilson 




Born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1770 
removed to Ohio in 1795; died in Cincinnati in 1H3.5. 



* History of Hancock County, Ohio, by D. B. Beardsley 8vo pages 473, 1881. paye 30. 



THE ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES. 555 

Vance, and Mordi-oai Hamnioiul win tlu- |iu1k*s of HUction, with John 
C. Wickham and lidmund S. Jonis, Clerks. In 1H29 the Village of 
Fort F"indlay was more fully surveyed, and huiklinKs were located and 
constructed with more system. 

The first record ol thi Count\ Commissioners hears date 2nd 
March, 1829, John 1". llainMcton, Joiin LonK, and Charles M'Kinnis 
com])risins' the Hoani. Hon Alonzo llamblin was Assessor, 
William Hackney .\uditor, and William Taylor Surveyor. The first 
Court of Common Fleas was held in November, 1H29, with only one 
case for trial. Kbenezer Lane was President, with Abraham Huff, 
Kolnrt M'Kinnis, and Ebenezer Wilson, Associate Judges. 

Henrv CoiNTV, Ohio, 

Was formed from .Miorigine territorx- .April 1, 1820, and was named in 
honor of Patrick Henry the patriot statesman. It was attached to 
Wood County for go\'irninent until the organization of Williams 
Count\- in 1824 wlu'n its seat of government was moved from Pirrysburg 
to Defiance. The first .American settlers came to Prairie du Masque by 
the Maumee in the eastern part of the county soon after the close of 
the War of 1S12. Their names were John liutler, David and William 
Delong, Charles Gunn, George Gilson, David Hucklin and Samuel \'ance : 
and the taxpaxing residents of the townsliij) in l^ol in addition to some 
of the before named were: Charles Bucklin, Paulina Bucklin, Levi 
Billings, David j. Cory, David ICdwards, Samuel Frederick, Richard 
and Carver Gunn, John Goss, Samiul Seman, Kdward Muri>liy, Jonas 
Pratt, .\bram and U. N. Scribnt-r, Daniel C. Smith, Andrew Storts and 
Ashbell Wilcox. 

At the meeting of the Wood County Commissioners held in the 
N'illage of Maumee .August 12, 1H20, a petition was presented from 
sundry citizens of the settlement of Damascus in the eastern part of 
Henry County, asking to be attached to the Township of .\.uglaise, 
which petition was granted. At the special meeting of the Commis- 
sioners March 19, 1H23, it was ordered, on petition, that so much of 
the Township of .\uglaise+ as is contained in the unorganized County 
of Henry, be set off and organized into a Township by name of 
Damascus. This township embraced the entire County of Henr\-, then 



* Here is an illustration of the remarkable change that a name often undereoes. The early 
French name for a camping station by the Maumee River a little above the Grand Rapids was Pra/r/e 
du Masque, so named from a grass-covered bank or island resembling in outline an uncouth woman. 
This Prairie du Masque, like Roche de Bout and Presqu'ile, was a landmark to travelers; and the early 
American settlers transformed the name to Damascus. 

t .Auglaise Township, organized by the Wood County Commissioners early in 1830, embraced all 
of Henry County also Williams including the present Defiance, Paulding and Putnam Counties. It has 
been taken from until only one-half of a land township plus four square miles (twenty-two s«iuare miles 
in all) remain in northeastern Paulding County. 



554 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASlN. 



much larger than now, and the lister and appraiser of its property for 
taxation returned $20H and was allowed for this work only one dollar 
eighty-seven and a half cents by the Commissioners of Williams 
County, June 7, 1^:25. 

Another cam]>ing place by the Maumee River in the present Henry 
Count\' with mont;'rel French-Aborigine lins^erers, was given the name 
Snaketown (at tht present Florida) previous to the campaign of Gen- 







HENKV LOtNlV S HKhl LOUKr HUl SK 
From 1835 to 1844. In rear of Tavern. 



eral Wayne in 1794 — see ante page 193; and the taxpaying settlers 
here and near in 1837 (then as now in Flat Rock Township ) were : 
Lee Armstrong, Thomas Brown, William Bowen, James A. Brewer, 
William C. Brownell, W'illiam Chambers, A\mos Cole, Joseph Heath, 
Richard Hughes, Jesse King, Washington, George and John Lowry, 
John B. Rundell, Christian and John Stout, Senior, Michael Shuman, 
Jacob Fronisman, W'illiam, Silas and Reuben W^aite, and J. P. 
Whipple. 

The Legislature enacted for the organization of Henry County in 
1834; and in 1835 the embryo Village of Napoleon which was platted 
in 1832 was chosen as the seat of government and County officers were 
elected as follows: Commissioners Amos Cole, Isaac E. Braucherand 
Xenophon Meade; Auditor Hazel Strong; Treasurer Israel Waite; 
Sheriff E. Husted; Surveyor William Jackson; Clerk J. N. Evans 
whom the Associate Judges, David S. Cory, Reuben Waite and Pierce 



THE ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES. 555 

Evans, also aiipiiiiU. <1 to act as Recorder. The first Court of Common 
Pitas was luld in IK;.") in the log tavern of George Stout. David Hig- 
gins was l^residing Judge and Frederick Lord Prosecuting Attorney. 
During this vear I fenry Leonard under contract with the Commission- 
ers liuilt with logs a two-story Court House adjoining his tavern in the 
rear on tlu' east side of Perry Street near the Maumee. The upper 
floor of this house was used for the Court sessions and the lower floor 
bv the Commissioners, Juries, and other County officers. In 1H44 a 
frame Court House of larger size was built on the site of the present 
building. 'I'liis house of wood with most of the records was destroyed 
In- fire in April, 1^17. Tlu business of the County was conducted in 
different buildings for several years following this fire. An endeavor 
to move the seat of government a few miles down the Maumee to the 
competing Village of Texas delayed a new building. In December, 
1S49, plans were obtained and in January, 1850, contract was made 
with James Durbin, Achilles Smith and William Russel to construct a 
Court House and Jail in one building of brick and a separate building 
to contain four fireproof oflices; and December 28, 1852, the Commis- 
sioners accepted these buildings at a cost of eleven thousand dollars. 
These buildings were in use nearly thirty years when the Court House 
was destroyed by fire the first part of November, IH7U: and the i)res- 
ent commodious structures were built in 18H0-82. 

Mkrckr CoiNTV, Ohio, 

Was formed from Aborigine territory 1st April, 1H20, and remained 
attached to Darke County for its government until 1^24. St. Marys, 
thi'n in this County, was chosen the seat of government, and the 17th 
April, 1824, the first Board of Commissioners convened, composed of 
Ansel Blossom, Thomas Scott, and Lucas \'an .\nsdall. .\t the j urn- 
meeting of the Board John P. Hedges was appointed Treasurer. He 
executed a small bond and, desiring to go to Fort W'ayne, he appointed 
as his de])uty Samuel Hanson who agreed to collect all the taxes of 
fioth Mercer and \'an Wert Counties for a comi>ensation of five dollars. 
The valuation of Shanesville, platted by Anthony Shane 23rd June, 
1820, (formerly and latterly called Shane's Crossing from the French- 
Shawnee half-breed Antoine Chesne, and since the building of the 
Cincinnati Northern Railroad called Rockford) was $20.H7 ; Dublin 
Township valuation was §48.66 : and St. Marys, $76.70 the lots being 
one dollar and the tax five mills on each lot. At the session in June, 
1H25, Ansel Blossom, Solomon Carr, and Isaiah Duncan, Commission- 
ers, orders were issued as follows : to John P. Hedges for §2.91 being 
his legal per centage on §72.75 received and paid over as Treasurer ; 
an order for §2.00 to W^illiam B. Hedges, Auditor, for paper and one 



556 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

day's services; and $2.25 to each of the Commissioners for services 
during the session. John Manning was appointed Treasurer, and 
required to give bond for $500. 

The first Common Pleas Court was first held in Mercer County- in 
February, 1825, with Joseph Crane Presiding Judge and Joseph Greer, 
Thomas Scott and James Walcott Associates. A case of Samuel 
Duncan against Edmund Gilbert in chancery was disposed of. The 
second term was held in April li^27 ; and the third term in April, 1m29, 
with George B. Holt President, and Joseph Greer, William B. Hedges 
and John Manning Associates. There was not a state case for several 
years. Most of the cases were of probate, with a few in chancery. 

The Village of Celina was platted by James Watson Riley son of 
Captain James Riley 8th September, 1884, for the joint proprietors of 
the land, viz : Peter Aughenbaugh, Robert Linzee 2nd, James W. 
Riley and Rufus W. Stearns. This plat was named from the Village 
of Salina, New York, with change of first syllable to Ce to prevent 
confusion. In the year 1840 it became the seat of government though 
possessing but a small collection of log houses. 

The first newspapers published in the present county limits were 
started in 1848 namely. The Mercer County Advocate Whig in politics, 
and the Western Standard Democratic. The latter is continued with 
the name Mercer County Standard. 

Van Wert County, Ohio, 

Is of the number formed April 1, 1820. It was named from Isaac Van 
Wert one of the captors of Major Andrd ; was attached to Darke 
County for its government until the organization of Mercer County in 
1824, when its government was transferred thither. 

The first settler in Van Wert County was Ansel Blossom in 1819 ; 
the second was a former mariner Captain James Riley who, while 
engaged in the survey of the Public Lands for the United States, made 
choice of land on both sides of the River St. Mary at the rapids near 
the Indiana State line. He removed his family to this place in January, 
1821, built a log house, began clearing land for cultivation, and making 
preparation of timber for a dam across the river, and for flouring and 
sawing mills which were built. In 1822 he surveyed a village plat on 
the west bank of the river opposite the mills and he named the 
prospective village Willshire in honor of an Englishman of that name 
who redeemed him from Arab captivity after a shipwreck on the coast 
of Africa. Captain Riley was a man of sterling qualities and his 
influence was exerted for good among many pioneer settlers. In 1823 
he was elected to the Ohio Legislature as the sole representative of 
what is now the Counties of Allen, Darke, Defiance, Henry, Lucas, 



THE ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES. 557 

MerccT, Miami, Paulding, Preble, Putnam, Shelby, Van Wert, 
Williams, and Wood. He strongly favored building the Miami and 
Erie Canal and fostered other useful legislation including the providing 
of a pirnianriit fund for common schools. His health, which was 
impainii bv his African experiences, became yi't inore impaired by the 
malaria of the new country. He was taken b}' boat to Fort Wayne 
for medical treatment in the spring of 182H. Recovering somewhat, 
he was transi)<)rtid on bed down the Mauniee, across Lake Erie and 
through the New York and lirie Canal and Hudson River to New York 
where lu' recovi'red sufficiently to make several voyages abroad and 
transact considerable business. He died IHth March, 1H40, and was 
buried at sea three days out from New York. His children remained 
in \'an \\\rt and Mercer Counties.* 

At the Presidential election of 183(5 only fifteen votes were cast in 
the Township of Willshire. Van Wert County was organized in IH^fi, 
the first meeting of the Commissioners being luld '2\hh Ai>ril at Will- 
shire. The first court was also held there 3rd Octobir, iMiiT, by 
Associate Judges Benjamin Griffin, Oliver Stacey, and Joshua Watkins. 

The Village of \'an Wert was platted :i()th March, 1m;!."), bv the 
proprietors, Peter Aughenbaugh, George Marsh, and James Watson 
Riley a worthy son of Captain James Riley, and the first public sale of 
lots was held 17th June, 1837. Settlers came slowly. In 1^37 there 
were but two families — those of Daniel Cook and John F. Dodds at 
the site of the present thriving City of Van Wert which has for many 
years been the seat of governmint. 

Paulding County, Ohio, 

Is one of the fourteen counties formed 1st April, li^20, from former 
Aborigine territory. It was named in honor of John Paulding one of 
the three patriot captors in 17H0 of Major John Andre the British spy. 
It was attached to Wood County for government until the organization 
of Williams County in 1824, from which time Defiance was its seat of 
government until the year 1839 when Paulding County was organized. 
It was a part of the great Auglaise Township (see ante page o28) until 
June 6th, 1H25, when it was included with Putnam County in Perry 
Township (see Putnam County). 

New Rochester, situated on the right bank of the Maumee River 
about one mile north of the present Village of Cecil, was then the only 
village in the County and the seat of government was located there. 
New Rochester was platted in 1835 by Doctor John Evans of Defiance, 
Robert Clemmer and Reverends Joseph Miller and Nathaniel Ladd 
Thomas. Isaac Savage built the second house soon after the first one 



* See Reminiscences of W. Willshire Kiley in Hope's Historical Collections of Ohio. 



558 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 




A BEGINNER'S HOME 

in the Stove Era. Yet (1904) in use in Pauldin;i 
County. 



built by Reverend Thomas who hiis been described as 'a tavern-keeper, 
merchant, banker, postmaster, and preacher' a good man withal for a 
wilderness settlement. The population ot New Rochester in 1839 
numbered thirty-five families. There were three taverns, three general 
stores each dealing in spirituous liquors according to the custom of the 

times, two blacksmithing and two 
tailoring shops. All the buildings 
were small and built of logs. The 
making of the Wabash and Erie 
Canal two and a half miles south of 
New Rochester in the years 1839 to 
1842 caused a decline in this vil- 
lage, and the last vestige of it dis- 
ai)i)eared from its site several years 
previous to this writing. 

At the organization of Paulding 
County in 1H39 Nathan Eaton, John 
Hudson and Oilman C. Mudgett 
were ajjpointed Associate Judges of 
Common Pleas.* They met in the fall of 1839 and appointed Horatio N. 
Curtis Clerk, and Andrew J. Smith Sheriff. The first Court of Common 
Pleas was held in the spring of 1840, Judge Emery D. Potter presiding. 
In 1841 the seat of government was removed to Charloe on the left 
l)ank of the Auglaise River near the eastern side of the County and by 
the Miami and Erie Canal then being made — see engraving ante page 
503. Charloe was platted this year by Benjamin F. Hollister at the 
former village of the Ottawa Chief Occonoxee, and it was given the 
name of the less savage Ottawa Chief Peter Charloe. Here a small 
Court House was built of brick. These towns were near the center of 
the Ottawa Aborigine Reserve of four miles square, the lines of which 
conflict with those of the later and regular Land Survey. August 10, 
1850, Ezra J. Smith County Surveyor platted the Village of Paulding 
near the center of the County, for the proprietors George Marsh and 
James Watson Riley. By a special Act of the Legislature the seat of 
government was removed in 1851 to this embryo village in the 
wilderness. 

The Presiding Elder of the Lima District m the Delaware Confer- 
ence, the name of which was changed in 1860 to the Central Ohio 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, reported in 1857 that 
there were then two workers in the Paulding Mission Field, viz: Enoch 



* The three Associate Judges for each County, appointed from the more or less prominent citizens 
who were without special knowledge of law. were discontinued by the new State Constitution of the 
year 1851, 



THE ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES. 



559 



G. Lon^worth who livud at Charlotr and John Priddy who livud on a 
farm in Van Wert County. They had twcnty-threu appointments with 
one hundred and sixty-two members, and six Sunday schools with 
about one hundred scholars. Their appointments were filled every 
four weeks which reijuired two hundred and fifty miles travel with week- 
day meetintis and i^astoral visitin^s. There were no church buildings, 
and meetings were held in the woods, in dwellin)j;s or in schoolhouses.* 

Allen County, (Juki. 

The first settlers in the present Allen County, Ohio, were Peter 
Diltz, William Van .\nsdall and Andrew Russell, in and about the year 
1817, and by the Aufjlaise River at and near the site of Fort Amanda. 
Here the first white child was born to the latter, a daughter who became 
the wife of Charles C. Marshal! and who resided later in Del])hos where 




LUL\, OHIO. AND TUL llTTAWA KIVKK 
As sketched by Henry Howe in IK46. 

she died in 1K71. Samuel M'Clure settled bv Hog Creek (the present 
Ottawa River) five miles northeast of the present Lima in November, 
1825, and he was followed in March, 1826, by Joseph Ward (brother of 
General John Ward) and Josejih Walton. About the same time 
Christopher Wood, a Kentucky scout against the savages, Joseph 
Wood, Morgan LipjMncott, Samuel Jacobs and Samuel Purdy, settled 
by Sugar Creek, the first named i)erhaps in 1H24. 

Allen County was organized in June, 1831, with James Daniels, 
John G. Wood, and Samuel Stewart as the first Coinmissioners. They 
purchased a quarter section of land (160 acres) at §1.25 per acre, and 



* Compare Crumbs from my Saddle Bags, by Reverend Elnathau C. Gaviit, page S&l. 



560 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



dL-cickxl upon the site of the present Citv of Lima for the seat of f;ov- 
ernment. The village was platted this year by W. L. Henderson of 
Findlay, and lots were then offered at public sale, but purchasers and 
buildings came slowly. The first white settler at Lima was Absalom 
Brown whose daughter Marian Mitchell Brown was the first white child 
there born. In the year 1834 there were living in or near the Village of 
Lima, Colonel James Cunningham, Doctor William Cunningham, 
General John Ward, Doctor Samuel Black, Doctor William Henry 
who came this year, John F. Mitchell, Daniel D. Tompkins, Charles 
Baker, James Anderson, David Tracey, Hudson Watt, Miles Cowan, 
Crane Valentine, John Bashore, John Mark, Abraham Aldridge, 





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CITY OF LIMA. OHIO 
Lookiiik' soullieasl :Wth Apiil. 1902. from an upper window of the Hotel Nerval corner of Main and 
North Streets, across Valley of the Ottawa River to the St. Mary Moraine. 

Alexander Beatty, William Scott, Thurston Moshier, David Reese, 
Daniel Musser, Martin Musser, Daniel Musser Junior, Elisha Jolly, 
Abraham S. Nicholas, Reverend George Shelden, Presbyterian, Elder 
William Chaffee, Baptist, John Jackson, Hamilton Davison who re- 
moved to Defiance in 1848 where he died December 9, 1889, about 
eighty-four years of age, Amos Clutter, Robert Terry, F. H. Binkley, 
and Abraham Bowers. Reverends John Alexander and James B. 
Finley were Methodist Episcopal Ministers on the circuits of this 
vicinity in 1834.* 

The first Court of Common Pleas for Allen County was held in 
May, 1833, in the log cabin residence of James Daniels near the cross- 
ing of the river at the east end of Market Street. George B. Holt of 



'■■Compare the address before the Pioneer Association at Lima 22nd September, 1871, by T. E. 
Cunningham. Esq., as copied in Knapp's History of the Maumse Valley, 



THE ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES. 



561 



Davton was tin I'nsidiiif; jiulur, and Chiistophir Wood, jamis 
CrozicT, and William Watt, Associates. John Ward served as Ckrk, 
Henry Lippincott Sheriff, and Patrick G. Goode of Montf^omcry 
County served as Prosecuting Attorney by apiiointmint ol the Court. 

Putnam Countv, Ohio, 
Is one of the original fourteen counties formed 1st .\pril, 1K20, alter 
the more general extinction of the Aborigine claims. It was four years 
attached to Wood County for government, and then ten years to Wil- 
liams County with seat of government at Defiance, it being organized 




THE MRST HKOMINKNT HOUSK IN PVINAM CUINTV 

Built by Sebastian Schrauf on the left bank of the Auglaise River in Section Twenty-one. Perry 
Township. This sketch was made by Henrv Howe in June, 1K46, when the house was an Inn keitt by 
Samuel Holden a United Brethren clergyman. ' A charininv: place.' See Howe's Historical Collections 
of Ohio. Centennial Edition, volume ii pane 46.T et seq. 

for self-government in 1H84. Frederick F. Stevens removed from 
Putnam County to Defiance in 1826, where he died over sixty years 
later. He remembered the residents of Putnam in 1825 as follows; 
Andrew Craig who claimed to be the first settler lived at the mouth of 
the Blanchard River, and John Ridenou'r lived one mile above. These 
were the onlj- families then on the Blanchard in the County. Sebastian 
Schrauf lived by the Auglaise River one mile above the Blanchard, and 
William Bowen a mile and a half above Myers Mill ; and yet further 
up were Elias Wallace, James J. Martin, Daniel Sullivan, David 
Murphv who also claimed to be the first white settler in the County, 
and a Mr. Harris whose family was the only one at Fort Jennings. 
Above the site of this fort were Mr. Hill, Joseph Sutton, William 
Cochran, Josiah Closson, John Welch, Daniel and W'illiam Sunder- 
land, Thomas and William Berryman, and Saniuel^Washburn. 



562 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



The Commissioners of Williams County organized Perry Town- 
ship from the former Auglaise Township (see ante paffe 52H) with 
boundaries 'to include the whole County of Putnam and as much of 
the County of Paulding as lies west of the County of Putnam.' Jen- 
nings Township was organized June 6, 1H26. 




\ ILLAGE OF VVAPAKUNETA. OHIO 

Lookint: north of west Xlltli April, liKli, from Tower of the Auylaise County Court House. The trees in the 
distatice toward the left, mark the course of the Auttlaise River as it here turns northward through the 
Water Gap in the Wabasli Moraine first cut by drainage southward of the Maumee Glacial Lake, then 
on the subsidence of these waters and the origin of the Auglaise River, the flow was reversed. The 
Auglaise River is glimpsed flowing from right to left beyond the town, in low stage of water. 

The first seat of government was at Kalida (from the Greek Kal- 
lidinus, suggested by the then beautifully whirling or gyratory current 
of the Ottawa River here) which village was platted in 1834. Judge 
George Skinner, who moved to Kalida in 1839, was authority for the 
statement that the first Court of Common Pleas was held in the dwel- 
ling house of Christian Sarber half a mile south of Kalida, Judge Wil- 
liam Helfenstein presiding. The family table used for meals (there 
was but one table in the house) also served as Judge's and Clerk's 



THE ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES. 



563 



disk, l>;u talilc, ftc. The room was small, and tiio table was neces- 
SHriJN' mar the lamilv in-d which tin- judui- utilized as a scat- in fact 
made it his judicial i)rnch. Tlu- jury went into the near-by woods for 
their private consultations. A Court House was built at Kalida in due 
time. In the year l>^(i<i this house was destroyed by fire, whereupon 



^.^..-M*-*^ 




\II.I,.\r,E OF WAPAKONETA, OHIO 

Lookinc north of east 30th April. 1902, from Tower of Auglaise County's beautiful new Court House up the 
\'alley of the .Auk'laise River. The Wabash Moraine is seen in the distance, and the northern slopp of 
the Salanioiiie Moraine on the ri«ht see ante pace 28. 

the ([uestion of moving the seat of government was discussed and, 
upon beinji submitted to ballot, the electors of the County gave a 
majority of 455 in favor of the Village of Ottawa, where it has since 
remained. 

AuGLAisE County, Ohio, 

Was formed and organized in the year 1848 from portions of .Mien, \'an 
Wert, Mercer, Darl<e, Shelby, and Logan Counties. The first term of 
Common Pkas Court was held in May with Patrick G. Goodi' Presid- 
ing Judge, and George W, Holbrook, David Simpson and John >rLean, 



564 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Associates. Wapakoneta was chosen as the seat of justice. This town 
was platted in 1833 by its proprietors Robert J. Skinner, Thomas B. 
Van Home, Joseph Barnett, Jonathan K. Wilds and Peter Augenbaugh. 
At the first public sale eighty-four lots were sold at prices ranging from 
$20 to $140. Lot No. 18 by Auglaise Street, on which stood the 
Aborigine trading house, brought $120. Wapakoneta is built on the 
site of a Shawnee Aborigine town and the name is that of a Shawnee 
Chief who was somewhat club-footed, but whether the name had any 
reference to this deformity or not is not known. Wap-agh-ko-netta, 
Waugh-paugh-kon-net-ta, and other long forms of spelling have been 
used to express this name, but the United States Geographer has 
eliminated all superfluous letters. The old Shawnee Council House, 
about 25x35x8 feet in size, roughly built of small logs or saplings 
blocked, was on Lot No. 3, Auglaise Street, about the center of the 
town as now platted, and it was in a fair state of preservation when 
razed in 1859 to give place to a brick business building. 

The first election for county officers was held 10th October, 1848, 
resulting in the choice of S. M. Dreese, Shadrack Montgomery and 
Hugh T. Rinehart as Commissioners ; Marmaduke Smith Auditor; John 
Elliott Sheriff : John |. Rickley Treasurer; Simon Dresher Recorder; 
George W. Andrews Prosecuting Attorney; Amos S. Bennett Coroner, 
and Dominicus Fleitz Surveyor. 

Lucas County, Ohio, 

Organized from Wood County in June, 1835, was named in honor of 
Robert Lucas then Governor of Ohio, who was active in the settle- 
ment of the serious Ohio-Michigan boundary contention that disturbed 
the peace of the northwestern part of Ohio for several years, and 
threatened the loss to Ohio of Toledo, the best port of the Great 
Lakes, and a strip of otherwise valualile territor\-. 

The history of Lucas County is coincident with that of its mother 
County, Wood — see ante page 519. In the year IHlfi Doctor Horatio 
Conant and Almon Gibbs opened a store on the left bank of the 
Maumee River nearly opposite Fort Meigs. John Elliott Hunt also 
soon became a trader there. In 1817 the Village of Waynesfield was 
platted at this place. Major William Oliver was one of the proprietors 
of the plat of W'aynesfield Village which later, for many years was 
called Maumee City, then was changed to the name South Toledo and, 
after several years, was changed to its present name, Maumee. For 
several years after the surveys, however, this region on both sides of 
the Maumee River was called Fort Meigs by people at a distance. 

The first Township in the Basin was organized in 1816 to embrace 
the two United States Reservations at the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, 



WAYNESFIELD THE FIRST TOWNSHIP ORGANIZED. 565 

of twelve and six milis s<|uarf. Tliis Townshii) was named Waynes- 
field in iionor of GeniTal Wayne and, after the extinction of tiie AI10- 
ri^ine claims at the Treaty at the foot of the Maumee Rajiids in IHIT, 
the Hirisdiction of this Township was extended over the territory thus 
acquired. At the organization of other townshijjs, beginning 19th 
March, 1H23, Waynesfield Townshij) was divided from time to time to 
its jiresent limited area in Lucas (!()unt> , \ el t inliracinn the \illage of 
Mauniee. 

In l'\lirii;u \ , I'^IT, a i()ni|ian\ Ironi Cincinnati, witii Micajah T. 
Williams, William Oliver, and Martin llauni, as the more active 
niemlnrs, purchased of the United States two tracts of land amounting 
to four hundred acres. One tract embraced the mouth of Swan Creek 
and for this tract the price was $76.06 per acre. The terms of pay- 
ment were one-fourth the price at the time of purchase with agreement 
to pav the remainder in three (.'(pial annual amounts. This company 
platted into village lots the land between the lilt banks of the M:uimee 
River and Swan Creek, and named the plat Port Lawrtnce. .\ num- 
ber of these lots were sold at auction the next September, 1M17, Major 
Benjamin F. Stickney the United States Agent to the .Aborigines, 
stationed here or at Miami above, being the leading purchaser. A 
rtvulsion in financial affairs was experienced within the year and, the 
purchasers being unable to comply with the terms of second payment. 
Congress passed a Relief Act by which the Port Lawrence tract reverted 
to the United States in payment for other parts of the tract purchased. 

Early in the 19th century Congress endowed ' a seminary of learn- 
ing ' (which afterward became the University of Michigan) with two 
townships of land with privilege of locating the same wherever desired. 
The trustees, by resolution of May 27, 1827, authorized the committee 
' to locate such tracts at the mouth of Swan Creek by the Maumee 
River in this [Michigan] Territory as shall seem to them expedient.' 
This committee selected River Tracts numbers one, two, seven, eight, 
nine and ten, including the former Port Lawrence plat : and a letter 
from the General Land Office declares these River Tracts reserved and 
appropriated as University Lands. Small parts of these lands were 
sold, and later Major William Oliver effected an exchange with the 
trustees of the remaining 401 j^ acres of Tracts one and two for Tracts 
three and four containing 777 acres. Subsequently Major Oliver 
purchased for his company these Tracts three and four of the Univers- 
ity of Michigan trustees for $5000. Some of these Tracts of land 
embrace a large part of the most valuable business district of the 
present Toledo. The other University Tracts were sold in 1844 and 
1850 at an average price of $19 per acre. The entire receipts to the 
Universitv did not exceed $17,000. 



566 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASlN. 

In September, li-l"20, Maumee was 'a considerable village' with 
two good taverns, one kept by Peter G. Oliver brother of Major 
William Oliver ; two or three stores, and buildings equal to the 
convenience, comfort, and business of a frontier town. In addition to 
the men named above, there were then here as residents Judge Robert 
A. Forsythe, Judge Ambrose Rice, John Hollister, and two or three of 
his brothers. These and others constituted a society at Maumee which 
would be acceptable anywhere on account of the intelligence and enter- 
prise of its members. Settled also along the Maumee in various places 
from Swan Creek to Roche de Bout were the Keelers, Hubbells, Hulls, 
Spaffords, Wilkinsons, Prays, Pratts and Hearings. 

The map of the Territory Northwest of the Ohio River used by 
Congress for the Ordinance ol 17H7, and at the outlining of the Terri- 
tory of Ohio, was not correct: the relative position of Lake Michigan 
was shown too far north, but this was not then known. The north 
line of the Territory of Ohio was then named as a line extending due 
east from the most southerly end of Lake Michigan. Ic was then 
supposed that this line would touch the Detroit River about midway 
between the City of Detroit and the river's mouth.* To avoid all later 
misunderstandings, however, the framers of the Constitution of lHO'2 
for the State of Ohio defined the northern boundary of the State to be 

An east and west line drawn through the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan, rnn- 
ning east, after intersecting the due north line aforesaid from the mouth of the Great 
Miami, until it shall intersect Lake Erie or the territorial line, and thence with the same, 
through Lake Erie to the Pennsylvania line aforesaid ; provided always, and it is hereby 
fully understood and declared by this Convention, that if the southerly bend or extreme 
of Lake Michigan should extend so far south that a line drawn due east from it should 
not intersect Lake Erie, or if it should intersect the said Lake Erie east of the mouth of 
the Miami River of the Lake [the Maumee River] then and in that case with the assent 
of the Congress of the United States, the northern boundary of this State shall be estab- 
lished by and be extended to, a direct line running from the southern extremity of Lake 
Michigan to the most northerly Cape of the Miami [Maumee] Bay, after intersecting the 
due north line from the mouth of the Great Miami River [the line between Ohio and 
Indiana] as aforesaid, and thence northeast to the territorial line, and by the said 
territorial [Canada] line to the Pennsylvania line. 

The United States Congress accepted this Constitution without any 
provisions and the State of Ohio rested in the belief that the question 
was permanently settled. The Legislature of the Territory of Michigan, 
however, adhered to the line extending due east from the south shore 
of Lake Michigan, and persisted in extending its legislation to it. The 
first official inquiry addressed to Return J. Meigs, Governor of Ohio, 
was the following letter: 



"■■ Tltis error in map making was repealed for many years. The map made by Shelton and Kensett 
in 1816 was a copy of this early map. 



ORIGIN OF THE OHIO-MICHIGAN BOUNDARY DISPUTE. 567 

Miami [Maijmkk) Kapids. January 21!, 1.SI2. 

Sir : It appears to be the general wish of the people in this settlement (which con- 
sists of about .")(t families) to have the laws of the State of (Jhio extended over them, as we 
consider ourselves clearly within the limits of said Slate. The few who object are those 
who hold offices under the Governor of Michigan and are determined to enforce their 
laws. This is considered by a Rreat majority of the inhabitants as usurpation of power 
which they are under no obligation to adhere to. If no adjustment should lake place. I 
fear the contention will ere long become serious. Sir. will you have the goodness to in- 
form the people here whether there has been any understanding between the State of 
Ohio and the Governor of Michigan on the subject of jurisdiction, together with your 
advice. 

I am. sir. with high esteem, your most obedient servant, 

Amos Spakkoro. Collector of Port Miami. 

The war with Great Britain, which bepan in juno, 1H12, over- 
shadowed the boundary (jiustion. Tlie survi'vin^ of the United States 
Reservations aionji the lower Maiimee River and Bay in 1H16 h-d to 
the susKi'stion of the survey of the boundary line. The United States 
Atfent to the .\borigines, Benjarnin F. Stickney, was directed to obtain 
consent to this survey from the .\boriijines through whose territory the 
work would i)e done: and the Surveyor William Harris was directed to 
make the survey. The line thus survexed in 1H17 extended to North 
Cape in Maumee Hay: and it not beiny; so far south as the people of 
Monroe County, Michigan desired, they reported to Governor Lewis 
Cass who, upon investigation, found that the Surveyors had been 
furnished a copy of the Constitution of Ohio as their guide instead of 
the Ordinance of 17H7 as he desired. He thereupon made such vigor- 
ous conii)laint and protest that President James Monroe directed John 
A. Fulton to make another survey : and Governor Cass was careful to 
note that he made it along the due east line. 

Thus the lines of dispute were definitely drawn —the Harris Line, 
claimed by the State of Ohio, extending from the most southern part of 
Lake Michigan to the point of North Cape in Maumee Bay: and the 
Fulton Line, claimed by the Territory of Michigan, extending from the 
same point of beginning due east, it being the present dividing line 
between Lucas and Wood County east of the Maumee River. The 
distance between these lines at the northwestern corner of Ohio is 
about five and a half miles, and the stri]i of intervening land graduallv 
widens to the eastward to a width of about eight miles south of North 
Cape, the intervening space embracing about five hundred square 
miles — see maps at pages 1 and 309. For several years no 
definite action was taken to settle this boundary question and, mean- 
time, Michigan exercised princijial jurisdiction: and some of the 
enactments were very wholesome, as witnesses the following: 

Be it enacted by the General Legislature of the Territory: That any Justice of 
the Peace, on conviction, may sentence any vagrant, lewd, idle or disorderly persons. 



S68 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

stubborn servants, common drunkards, common night-walkers, pilferers, or any other 
persons wanton or licentious in speech, indecent behavior, common raiders or brawlers, 
such as neglect their calling or employment, misspend what they earn, and do not provide 
for themselves or their families, to be whipped not exceeding ten stripes, or to be deliv- 
ered over to the Constable to be employed in labor not exceeding three months, by such 
Constable to be hired out for the best wages that can be procured, the proceeds of which 
to be applied to the use of the poor of the County. 

Made, adopted and published at Detroit, the 27th day of July, l.SbS. 

Lewis Cass. Governor of the Territory of Michigan. 

In the spring of 1821 Major Benjamin F. Stickney was a ruling 
spirit at the mouth of Swan Creek and continued such thereabout for 
manv vears. There was thi-n hut a small settlement in the vicinity, 
including Major Keeler who lived on his farm and a few Frenchmen. 
Major Stickney procured the recommendation of these people with 
which he proceeded to Detroit, and returned after a few days with a 
commission from Governor Lewis Cass appointing him Justice of the 
Peace in and for the Territory of Michigan; and from this time he 
claimed this region as part of Michigan. Thereafter the Ohio officials 
were opposed in all their efforts in the region around the lower Maumee.* 
The question was further comjilicated by the United States engin- 
eers surveying the public lands to the southern (Fulton I line claimed 
bv Michigan, from the Base Line of that Territory. The influence of 
Major Stickney was exerted in Congress, and became manifest to his 
up-the-river neighbors as evidenced by the following letter, viz : 

Fort Meics [Maumee City] 9th February, 1822. 

Dear Sir : Feeling considerably interested in the measures proposed in Congress 
relative to this section of country, and not doubting your willingness to attend to any rep- 
resentations that might be communicated. I take the liberty of addressing a few lines to 
you on these subjects. 

I understand it is in contemplation to so alter the route of the great eastern mail to 
Detroit that it shall not pass this place, but go by Port Lawrence nine miles below on 
the Maumee River. Also to establish a land office at the River Raisin in Michigan for 
the sale of lands in this vicinity. Also to remove the Port of Entry to Port Lawrence. 
And also, I presume, from a motion of Mr. Sibley to open a road under the provisions of 
the Brownstown Treaty not from Sandusky to Fort Meigs according to the terms of said 
Treaty, but from Sandusky to Port Lawrence. 

I have been astonished at the fact that one delegate from Michigan [Mr. Sibley] 
should be able to have the brain not only of a majority of Congress, but even of a con- 
siderable part of the Ohio Representatives; but from the success attending his motions I 
am obliged to admit the fact is true. 

Port Lawrence has no claims to notice by Congress much less to be honored by the 
proposed sacrifices. The River Raisin has no claim in any shape superior to Fort 
Meigs ; and in point of situation for a Land Office, or any other business, is far inferior. 
It is within little more than thirty miles of the Land Office at Detroit. F"ort Meigs is 
not within one hundred miles of any office except that at Detroit, and is seventy miles 
from that. 



* See Reminiscences of Thomas W. Powell in the newspaper Defiance Democrat 3nd May. 1S68. 



INCIDENTS IN THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OE TOLEDO. 569 

Respecting Port Lawrence [the first settlement on the site of the business part of 
Toledo] there is not, nor has there been for years, nor is there likely to be. more than 
three Knglish [speakinf;) families including all within three miles of the place ; and what- 
ever public business is done there must be done by one man who is already Aborigine 
Agent and Justice of the I'eace for Michigan, The distance proposed to be saved by 
altering the route of the mail, ought not to come in competition with the increased risk in 
crossing the Maumee River which in that place is very wide and open to the unbroken 
surges of I-ake Krie. The same objection will lie with increased weight against opening 
a military road to cross the river there. It might as well cross the mouth of the [Maumee] 
Bay. or any other part of Lake Krie. If there w.is any business done at the place, or 
was likely to be done there, I should not so much object to the Customs Collector's office 
being removed there ; but at present I should esteem it ridiculous to entertain the idea. 

I did not suppose it entirely necessary to make all the above statements to you, sir ; 

but it is dilhcult to say less, and say anything. Vou must pardon the apparent haste and 

carelessness with which this is written, as 1 have jnst returned from a week's absence. 

and the mail is on the point of being closed. 

Yours very respectfully, 

Hon. Ethan .\. Hroun, Senator in Congress. Horatio Conant. 

This yrai- additional sittK-rs came to I'oit Lawrc-nci'. Om- of the 
most fnttri)risinfi was Joseph Prentici.- who was the most active in 
Iniildint;. He l)uilt for his use the first frame house near this part of 
tile Maumee. It was situated near the present Perr\- Street, Toledo, 
between the alley and St. Clair Street. In this house his son Frederick 
Prentice was born December 6, 1822. He was the first white child 
born within the limits ol the present Toledo, and he was yet living in 
lyOi! in New York City. Marquis Baldwin came to Port Lawrence in 
182;5 to establish a store. There were then, in addition to the Joseph 
Prentice house, a log warehouse, a frame warehouse which later served 
as the first Custom House, a log cabin near the site of the present 
police station, and a small hewn log house near the corner of the 
present Summit and Jefferson Streets. Several other log dwellings 
were scattered within the present Toledo limits, and near : those of 
Major Coleman I. Keeler and Noah .\. Whitney near Adarns and 
Collingwood ; Major Benjamin F. Stickney at Summit and Brush ; F. 
Loveway (Lovering?) below the present Manhattan Mills, and Leo 
Guire at the mouth of the Maumee. Eli Hubbard also had dwelling 
north of Ottawa River (Ten-Mile Creek) near the present crossing of 
Lagrange Street. This vicinity soon liecame prominent from the store 
of Calvin Tremain bv the Postroad and the establishment tiiere of the 
first postoffice for the present Toledo district — see subchapter on 
United States Mail on later page. 

In the autumn of IHio Reverends John .\. Baughman and Solomon 
Manier formed the first Methodist Episcopal Church Class at Tremain- 
ville for the present Toledo region. It w-as then composed of twelve 
members, some living at Port Lawrence, as follows : Frances Maria 
Whitney, Catherine Martin, Eleanor Wallworth, Sarah Wallworth, 



570 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Soplironia Horton, Hannah Horton, Elizahuth Martin, Lydia Martin, 
Elizabeth Holmes, Mary Keeler, Mary Mills, and Marj^aret Miller. Mrs. 
Whitney, \vi£e of Noah .'\shley Whitney, was appointed leader. This 
was then in the newly organized Detroit District or Circuit of the Ohio 
Conference. The first sermon preached within the present limits of 
Toledo was by the Reverend Elnathan C. Gavitt''' late in October, 
1832 in the store of Lewis Goddard on the bank of the Maumee in 
Vistula. The audience consisted of twelve persons 'most of whom 
were women.' The meetings were generally held in the dwelling of 
Eli Hubbard until the building of the first schoolhouse which was of 
logs. This was then in the Monroe, Michigan, Circuit. The first 
Methodist Class was organized in the Village of Maumee by Reverend 
E. C. Gavitt in the autumn of 1H32 in the dwelling of James Jackson 
the Agent to the Aborigines. Continued meetings followed with 
accession of forty-two members to the Church, including Sophia, wife 
of General John E. Hunt. The Maumee District was constituted 
in 1834. 

Increase in the number of settlers, the agitation of the Miami and 
Erie Canal, the platting of new towns and their competition in the sale 
of lots and for the increasing business, gave the Ohio-Michigan bound- 
ary question new significance and greater importance. The 27th May, 
1827, Port Lawrence Township was organized as part of Monroe 
County, Michigan, and its jurisdiction was sought to be exercised over 
about one half of the present County of Lucas. At the election 
twenty-seven votes were cast, electing the following officers: Assessors 
Noah A. Whitney, John G. Forbes, and Daniel Murray; J. V. D. Sut- 
phen Clerk ; John T. Baldwin Supervisor; Tibbals Baldwin Collector; 
John Walworth and Coleman I. Keeler Overseers of the Poor; Eli 
Baldwin, and William Wilson Collector of the Port of Entry, Com- 
missioners of Highways ; John Root and Tibbals Baldwin Constables; 
and Benjamin F. Stickney Pound Master. 

The Village of Vistula was platted in January, 1832, a little below 
(north of) Port Lawrence by Benjamin F. Stickney and Captain 
Samuel Allen of Lockport, assisted by Giles 'Bryan Slocum who after- 
ward made a fortune along Detroit River and in Michigan land and 
timber. Mr. Slocum's letter to his father at Saratoga Springs, New 
York, dated 9th January, 1832, states that public land near Port 
Lawrence was then being bought at $1.25 per acre ; that efforts were 
being made to induce tRe Buffalo steamboats to stop at Port Lawrence 
that spring, the passenger boats having previously gone direct to 
Detroit — see ante page 480; that a flouring and sawing mill were being 



* Crumbs from my Saddle Bags or Reminiscenses of Pioneer Life by Elnathan C. Gavitt, 1884. 



EVENTS fN THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF TOLEDO. 571 

built l)v Swan Crirk aliout tlii< i miles from Port Lawrcnct- ; that bo^ 
iron ore was found near, and that the building ot an iron furnace was 
bein^ discussed : that wheat was sold at from ten to twelve shillings 
($1.2r) to $1.50) per bushel: that a great many hogs had been driven 
from Ohio to Detroit for market w-here many were killed and sold into 
Canada, and that wild ho^s, turkeys, and deer were killed daily about 
Port Lawrence. Mr. Slocum was then associated in charffe of a stock 
of goods, valued at three thousand dollars, belonging to Lewis Godard 
of Detroit, and he wrote that liusiness was good; that the clearing 
of land, surveying, getting of timber, building of wharves, and the 
arrangement with the builders of other towns near whereby orders 
were to lie paid at the store ' made it to the interest of all to turn off as 
nianv goods as possible.'* Sanford L. Collins, who came to Port 
Lawrence in December, 1H31, wrote in later years as follows: 

\'istul,i w.is laid off and platted in 18li2, and the clearing of the plat of brush and 
timber commenced ; also the putting in of a long line of docking [wharves of the quay 
form] in front of the property at the foot of Lagrange Street, extending down toward 
Elm Street some forty rods, or thereabouts. This line of docking [quay] was built upon 
the ice and, notwithstanding its great weight, it being some nine feet high, it did not 
break through until the ice began to give way in the spring ; and of course while kept up 
by the ice it presented a very formidable appearance, so much so that it attracted the 
attention of our enterprising neighbors of Ferrysburg who came down upon the ice with 
n l.irge party to pay their rcspjcts to the new proprietors and witness the new mode of 
building docks [quays] without piling. After examining carefully they said it looked very 
well, but they thought it would disappear with the ice in the spring, and perhaps the 
same might be the case with many of the new inhabitants in the coming months of July 
and August with fevers and agues which they most assuredly would have. The spring 
came and. contrary to the predictions of our Perrysburg neighbors, the dock [quay] did 
not disappear, but it became greatly displaced; and so it was with the new settlers, they 
did not disappear, but had a great amount of shaking. t 

In the autumn of 1831 and spring of 1832 Captains Hiram Brown, 
John Baldwin and Tibbals Baldwin, constructed a large siene with 
which large quantities of fish were caught from the Maumee opposite 
Port Lawrence. Other isrominent men at this place in January, 1832, 
were Otis Hathaway, William Loudon J<"avour, and H. S. Piatt. .\ 
number of others arrived that spring and summer from Lockport, New 
York, including the brothers Daniel O. and Sttiilien B. Comstock, 



* See Cbronography of Notable Events in the History of the Northwest Territory and Wayne 
County, by Fred Carlisle. Svo Detroit. IKiXl. 

t Compare History of the Maumee Valley by H. S. Knapp. pace 617. 

In the summer of 1899 while lishing in the Maumee C. E. Haynes and E. C. Crosby discovered the 
siibtnerned remains of these first wharves at Toledo. They kept the discovery to themselves and, in 
19t>3 after the purchase of rights by the railway companies, they secured the privileee of taking out the 
logs; and with the aid of five men and a donkey engine the work began in June with much promise. It 
is estimated that there are here ,5,IXK1,(KX) feet of white oak. walnut, and hickory timber of the best quality 
preserved and improved by its long submergence, and probably worth $1.50,CX10. One black walnut log 
taken out was sold to a Massachusetts firm for $7.5 — see Toledo Blade 6th June, 19(13. 



572 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Munson H. Daniels, Daniel Washburn, C. G. Shaw and family, Oliver 
Stevens and family, James Muddocks, Philander Wales, Doctor Fassett 
(the last named four settling on the east side of the Maumee) Richard 
Greenwood, Oliver Spauldintj, and Edward Bisscll who became the 




ONE OF THE THREE PETROLEUM REFINERIES IN TOLEDO IN 1904 

most active builder at Vistula. Port Lawrence Township also pos- 
sessed other active residents, as William Riley, Hiram Bartlett, Doctor 
J. V. D. Sutphen, Michael T. Whitney, James M. Whitney, Harmon 
Crane, Noah A. Whitney, P^ter Berthoff and a few others. 

In the year 1833 the plats of Port Lawrence and Vistula were 
united under the name Toledo. The honor of suggesting this name 
has been attributed by different elderly people to Willard J. Daniels, 
Pierre M. Irving, and Two Stickney second son of Major Benjamin F. 
Stickney who named his sons numerically in the order of their birth. 

The Toledo Herald, the second newspaper published in the Maumee 
River Basin, was started in weekly publication about the middle of 
August, 1884; and about October 1st The Toledo Gazette appeared. 
These newspapers were soon united under the name Gazette and Herald 
with James Irvine Brown as editor and agent for the proprietors who 
lived at Easton, Pennsylvania. The location of the northern terminus 
of the Miami and Erie Canal was becoming a live question at this time 
and the association of Mr. Brown with Doctor Jacob Clark, merchant, 
J. Baron Davis, J. W. Fellows, and other enterprising men many of 
whom also came to Toledo in 1H34, led to a revival and active discus- 
sion of the Ohio-Michigan State boundary question, the climax of 
which was soon thereafter attained. A public meeting was held in 
Toledo in November, 1834, and the majority of the sentiment then 
expressed was in favor of Ohio asserting and maintaining jurisdiction 
over the disputed region. Petition for such action was signed and 
forwarded to Governor Lucas who recommended this movement to the 
Legislature which, in turn, passed an Act February 23, 1835, asserting 



THE OHIO-MICHIGAN BOUNDARY DISPUTE. 573 

tlir claim of Oliio to all territory south of the Harris Line. Undor this 
Act three commissi<iinrs wire appointed to re-survey and mark this 
Harris Line as the boundary, the survey to l)eKin April 1, 1M85. 

President Andrew Jackson havint; been appealed to, sent Richard 
Rush of Pennsylvania and Colonel Howard of Maryland as Commis- 
sioners to confer with Governors Lucas and Mason re^ardin^; tlie 
boundary. This confert'nct' was held 7th April, l*^:!."), the Commis- 
sioners aureeinu with Governor Lucas, that the Harris Line l)e re- 
surveyed and marked; :2nd, that insomuch as lioth Ohio and Michigan 
civil officers had been electeil tor the disputed territory (those for Ohio 
were elected .\pril Gth) that the people residing there be left to their 
individual choice as to which of these officers should be accepted as 
autliority in government until the next session of Congress, with the 
provision that Michigan discontinue the arrest and prosecution, already 
begun, of persons claiming citizenship in Ohio. Governor Mason 
would not sign this agreement for Michigan. 

The Legislative Council of Michigan had, meantime, been alert 
and active. .'\n Act had been passed making it a criminal offense 
puiiishabli with a I'me of $1()()() and five years imprisonment for any 
person other than United States or Michigan officials to exercise or 
attemjit to ext'rcise anv official authority in the disputed tract. For the 
lull enforcement ol this unwise Act Governor Mason directed 19th 
Feliruary, IHiJf), Brigadier General J. W. Brown Commander of the 
Third Division of Michigan Militia to i)revent Ohio officers exercising 
any authority, and to use the Militia if necessar)' to preserve the rights 
of Michigan north of the Fulton Line; also to report the names of all 
Michigan civil and military officers therein favorable to Ohio, and by 
visitation ascertain proi>er persons to be apyiointed in their jdaces. 

Public sentiment was aroused and meetings w-ere held. Upon 
learning of the Ohio election of local officers at Toledo, the Sheriff of 
Monroe County, Michigan, jiroceeded with a posse comitatus to Toledo 
April 8th and arrested Messrs. Goodsell and M'Kay, who were, how- 
ever, later released on bail. A few days later the Sheriff with a posse 
numbering about two hundred persons again visited Toledo l)ut made 
no arrests. The 26th April the party re-surveying and marking the 
Harris Line by authorit\' of the Ohio Commissioners, was fired upon 
about twelve miles southwest of Adrian by Michigan Militia and the 
surveyors with most of their assistants were captured by the assailants 
led by the Deputy Sheriff of Lenawee Countv. 

Governor Lucas arrived at the Village of Maumee April 27th with 
two hundred Ohio Militia (one account reads that he was there March 
21st with six hundred soldiers under command of General John Bell) 
but pacific counsels prevailed and he sent the soldiers home the 2nd 



574 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Mav. Four days later Major Stickney went to Monroe on the Detroit- 
bound steamboat on which President Jackson's Commissioners Rush 
and Howard were passengers. He was there arrested and imprisoned 
for acting as a judge at the Ohio election of local officers in Toledo the 
6th April. Mr. Stickney had, like others, undergone a change of mind 
and a transformation from a Justice of the I^eace for Michigan to an 
officer favorable to Ohio. He was considered an important prisoner, 
and many gibes were made regarding him. The military spirit was 
rife and one of the popular sayings at Monroe during his imprisonment 
was the one started at Toledo which referred to their despoiling his 
garden there, it being in the form of the toast 'Here's to Major Stick- 
ney's potatoes and onions — we drafted their tops and their bottoms 
volunteered.' Governor Lucas called a special session of the Legis- 
lature for June 8th, 1835. In his message he wrote regarding this 
contention as follows: 

The honor and faith of the State is pledged in the most solemn manner to protect 
these people [of Toledo] in their rights, and to defend them against all outrages. They 
claim to be citizens of Ohio. The Legislature by a solemn act has declared them to be 
such, and has required them to obey the laws of Ohio which as good citizens they have 
done ; and for which they have been persecuted, prosecuted, assaulted, arrested, abducted 
and imprisoned. Some of them have been driven from their homes in dread and terror, 
while others are menaced by the authorities of Michigan. These things have been all 
done within the constitutional boundaries of the State of Ohio, where our laws have been 
directed to be enforced. .\re we not under as great obligation to command respect and 
obedience to our laws adjoining our northern boundaries as in any other part of the State ? 
Are not the inhabitants of Port Lawrence [Toledo] by the Maumee as much entitled to 
our protection as the citizens of Cincinnati by the Ohio River? . . . 

An Act to further protect the citizens of Ohio was then passed for 
the counteraction of the enactments of Michigan. Arrangements were 
also completed for the organization of Lucas County, to include the 
northern part and all west of the Maumee River of the former Wood 
County. A Common Pleas Court was also ordered for session Sep- 
tember 7th in Toledo the provisional seat of justice: all of which was 
dulv proclaimed by Governor Lucas. 

The Sheriff of Monroe County, Michigan, again visited Toledo in 
the evening of 18th July with a posse of about two hundred and fifty 
armed men and made seven or eight arrests chiefly for individual 
grievances. This Michigan posse committed several overt acts, among 
them being damage to the Gazette and Herald newspaper office. Pub- 
lic sentiment in Michigan was kept as belligerent as possible: and it 
was determined to prevent the holding of the proclaimed Ohio Court. 
For this puriiose the Detroit Militia arrived at Monroe the evening of 
September 5th, and with volunteers from Monroe and Lenawee Counties 
they rendezvoused near Toledo whence they marched into Toledo on 



WISE TURN IN OHIO-MICHIGAN BOUNDARY DISPUTE. 575 

tin (ith HI luimbir variously estimated at from cit^'ht to twilvc huiuirLcl, 
lid liy Govc^rnor Mason and ("iciural Jirown. Tin President J udj^e 
and his Associates had assembled at the \ iliajie of Maumee 
ten miles distant with Colonel Van Fleet and one hundred soldiers sent 
by Govirnor Lucas for their iirotection: but wisi' peace counsels pre- 
vailed, and Ohio won the victory without sheddin>i a drop of 
valiant Michiffan blood. At one o'clock in the ni^ht the officers 
accomiiaiiii-d by the Colonel and twenty soldiers, started on horseback 
down the Maumee and went <|uietly to the schoolhouse by Washington 
Strt-et wheri, about three o'clock, the judges opened the Court, ap- 
pointed a Clerk, three Commissioners for thi' new County of Lucas, 
transacted the other necessary business, and adjourned in due form. The 
Clerk's minutes, hastilv written on loose sheets of paper, were depos- 
ited in his hat accordinji to the (uistom of men in those davs, and all 
present hastily started through the woods up the Maumee. In their 
haste the Clerk's hat was knocked from his head by coming in contact 
with the limb of a tree, and not a little ajiprehension was experienced 
until the scattered pajiers containing the invaluable minutes of the 
Court were found. .Ml arrived safely at Maumee City, clearly outside 
llu' disputed territory but yet within Lucas County, where Michigan 
civil olhcers or troojjs dare not i)ursue. Here the first victors- was 
quietly enjoyed, and plans matured for complete discomfiture of the 
enemy. 

While addressing his soldiers, and such citizens of Toledo as 
desired to hear him, that day an order from Washington was handed to 
Governor Mason removing him from the office of chief executive of the 
Territory of Michigan. The Secretary, John S. Horner, became acting 
Governor. The time now came to the citizens of Michigan for second 
thought, which showed them the absurdity of their action. Like true 
Americans they took a wise view of the matter, and turned from the 
belligerent to the humorous treatment of the question as did the 
victors. The troops returned to Detroit on the steamboat General 
Brady the 10th September, 1885, the ■22nd anniversary of Perry's 
victory on Lake Erie, and they turned the day into as good a celebra- 
tion of that event as possible, with witty references to their campaign.* 



Here are two stanzas that have been preserved of a " war sony " of the period that was afterward 
nuich enjoyed by both parties: 

old Lucas cave his order all for to hold a Court. 

.\nd Stevens Thomas Mason, he thought he"d have some sport. 

He called upon the Wolverines, and asked them for to ko 

To meet this rebel Lucas, his Court to overthrow. 

Our independent companies were ordered for the march. 

Our othcers were ready, all stiffened up with starch; 

On nimble-footed coursers our officers did ride. 

With each a pair of pistols and sword huny by his side. 



576 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



y 



The representative men of Michigan desired statehood for their 
Territory, and thev were prone to believe that Ohio would defeat the 
admission unless there was reconciliation. All those in custody of 
Michigan authorities were released by order of Acting Governor 



1^" lll^^^ 


— 1^. ^ 


%» 


1 




i 


i 


B^^^'nSii 





CITY OF TOLEDO. OHIO 

Lookini; northwest I3th November. 1903. from Tower of the Nasby Building. Lucas County Court House 
in middle view. Young Men's Christian Association's unhnished Building at the left; and Masonic 
Temple now (1904) being built at trees this side of the Y. M. C. A. Building. 

Horner, he officially stating under date of 5th October, 1835, that 'in 
consequence of an anticipated change of Territorial to State Govern- 
ment on the first Monday of December next, the Executive lost all 
legal control over the ministerial and executive officers, the District 
Attorney James Q. Adams absolutely refusing to enter a Nolle Prosequi 
. . . The country was in a great state of excitement, and the officers 
of insubordination. Salus populi suprema lex.' . . The Ohio offi- 
cials acted in like spirit, and the Grand Jury of Wood County reported 
no indictment when charges were adduced against Governor Mason and 
his officers. The survey and marking of the. Harris Line was com- 
pleted in November without opposition. 

The United States Congress considered the boundary question 
early in the session of 1835-36, and there was some warm discussion 
regarding it. Governor Lucas, who was present, charged Louis Cass 
then Secretary of War with using his official influence in favor of Mich- 
igan, which Cass denied. The Senate Committee reported favorably to 
Ohio for the reason "That Congress had in the most solemn manner 
accepted her State Constitution, recognized it as made pursuant of 



SETTLEMENT OF OHIO-MICHIGAN BOUNDARY DISPUTE. 577 

lawlul autlunily U> make- it coiili rn-ci |]\ an Act which rL-scrved thu ri^ht 
to annex to Ohio at an\ lutun ixriod a country embracing the wholo 
territory in dispute, and has by these means assented to the terms of 
the i)roviso, which is one of the essential features of the Constitution." 




CIT"!' (II' Itil.HDO. OHIO 

Looking east I3th NoveinbLT. IiK)2, from Tower of the Nasby HuildinK, down Madison Street. The flacs 
in middle view are over tlie United States Cnstom House and Postotiice. First ConKregational Church 
lowaid I i«ht. Glimpse of tile Matnneo River, and of the city beyond. 



The records of Port Lawrence Township which had been kept by 
Michigan officials of Monroe County, were given over to the Ohio 
officials of Lucas County 11th July, 1836, in compliance with the 
decision of Congress. The proposition for Michigan to accept the 
Upper Peninsula in exchange for the strip of land between the Fulton 
and Harris Lines, was rejected in Michigan Convention in September, 
1836. The politicians finally triumphed, however, in Coiivention held 
in Ann .Arbor December 6, 1836; the Upper Peninsula was accepted, 
and without opposition Michigan was admitted to the Union as a State 
2Hth January, 1887; and her Legislature appropriated $13,658.76 to 
pay the expenses incurred in the unwise and unsuccessful efforts to 
wrest from Ohio the triangular strip of territory between the Fulton 
and Harris Lines — see map ante page 309. The last events relating 
to this dispute were enacted in 1846 when the Ohio Legislature in 
February appropriated lt>3(H) tor the payment of Major Benjamin F. 
Stickney for the damage his property sustained in Toledo, and for the 
time he passed in prison at Monroe; also an appropriation by the Mich- 



578 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

if^an Legislature of fifty dollars and interest from IMMC) to Lewis E. 
Bailey for a horse lost while in the service of the Territory with the 
militia at the time of the lionndary dispute. 

The great newspaper, the Toledo Weekly Blade, was founded in the 
year 1836. Toledo was incorporated as a City by the Legislature of 
Ohio in the winter of 183(i; and at the election held 20th March, 1H37, 
John Berden was chosen Mayor and George H. Rich City Clerk. The 
memfjers of the City Council were; Northeast Ward, Junius Flagg, 
James S. Way, Elijah Porter; Southeast Ward, George B. Way, 
Stephen B. Comstock, Samuel R. Bradley. Treasurer j. Baron Davis ; 
Attorney D. O. Morton: Fire Engineer Charles MacLean; Street Com- 
missioner A. G. Hibbard; Marshall Calvin Comstock; Assessors 
Munson H. Daniels and Samuel Eddy. 

The seat of government for Lucas County was removed from 
Maumee to Toledo in the year 1852. The population af this County 
has increased from 93H2 in 1H40 to 153,559 in lUOO, notwithstanding 
the loss of territory for the organization of Fulton County. The 
greatest ratio of iiicrease has been during the later years and in the City 
of Toledo — see ante page 5. 

Fulton County, Ohio, 

The last County organized in this Basin was formed 2Sth Febru- 
ary, 1H50, from Lucas, Henry, and Williams Counties. Its seat of 
justice, Wauseon, was platted in 1854. In i860 it had a population of 
378, and to IHTO it had increased to 1474. This village was named 
from an Ottawa chief who with his band often roamed along the 
creeks and over the beaches of the Glacial Lakes Whittlesey and 
Warren which are prominent in this County. The name Wauseon in 
the Ottawa syjeech signifies far off. The chief known by this name 
was a large and fair specimen of physical manhood, and quite intelli- 
gent withal. His three reputed half-brothers were also prominent in 
this County and along the Maumee River a few miles to the southeast. 
The name of the older one, Ottokee, is also perpetuated in the name 
of a village three miles north of Wauseon. He was six feet in height 
with weight of about two hundred pounds, and was called eloquent in 
speech according to the standard of some people of the present time, of 
the plane of these Aborigines, who think a speaker not worthy a hear- 
ing who is not very vehement in voice and gesture regardless of what 
is said. No-tin-no (the calm) and Wauseonka were the names of the 
other reputed half brothers of Wauseon. The last named was at one 
time the head chief of the Maumee Ottawas but on account of his later 
habits of dissipation he became worse than useless. The last of these 
Ottawas were removed to the Osage River in Kansas in the spring of 



FIRST DEVELOPMENTS BY AMERICAN SETTLERS. 579 

]H'i]H.* The first Common Pleas Court for Fulton County was held 
larly in IH.'O in tin- dwtllinu house of Robert A. Howard in Pike 
Townshij). The haiiiltt of Ottokee was soon thereafter chosen as the 
seat of fioverniuent, and in IM")] a two-story frame Court House was 
built tlurt-. This houst' was used by the county officials until Julv If), 
lH(i4, when it was destroyed b\' tire with most of the records. The 
Commissioners had a new Court House constructed of brick one story 
hi^h, on the site of the house burned, with offices in a separate build- 
ing. The Air Line division ol tin- Lake Shore and Michigan Southern 
Railway havint; been ]>ut in oi)eration meantime through Wauseon this 
villagi' became a comiietitor for the seat of government. Bj" legislative 
enactment an election was lukl in October, 1869, resulting in favor of 
Wauseon which village in January. 1H70, paid to the Commissioners 
the re<|uirtd sum of SruHK) which had been subscribed for use in the 
construction of count\ buildings. The present brick Court House was 
contracted for, and was completed early in 1872 at a cost of near 
$4ti,000. The jail at Ottokee continued to be used until the completion 
in Wauseon of the i)resent jail and Sheriff's residence. 

The area of b'ulton County embraces about four hundrt^d and 
twenty square miles, no part of which is 'waste land.' 



CHAPTER XV. 



Devki.opment of Communication — Public Lands — Schools — 

Libraries. 

The first regular United States Mail route to the Maumee River 
Basin, other than by military couriers, was byway of Cleveland in 1802, 
Horace Gunn being the carrier. Mails had been carried before this 
-date through the Basin to its military posts and to Detroit, but not 
regularly, nor did regularity long continue from this time. In the year 
1809 Benoni Adams was the mail carrier. The water courses gave him 
much troulile, he generally being obliged to make a raft on which to 
cross them. Much of the journey was often made afoot, tediously 
picking his lonely way through the swampy forest. Fortunately for 
him the mail was not heavy. His route extended from Lower Sandusky 
Cnow Fremont) to Monroe, and two weeks time was generally required 
to make the journey and return. The Collector of the Port of Miami 
of the Maumee River, Amos Spafford, was the first acting Postmaster so 
far as determined: his commission as Deputy Post Master of Miami in 



■■'• See mention of prehistorio mounds in Pike Township ante, page 60, Also Colonel Dresden 
W. H. Howard's communication to Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio, vol. ii, page 664. 



580 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Erie District State of Ohio' bL-ariny; date Uth Junt-, isio, was signed 
by Gideon Gran!j;er Post Master General. Previous to these dates, and 
later during the wars and the hostilities of the savages, the mails were 
carried with the army dispatches when carried at all. 

In the year IHIB Almon Gibbs was in charge of the Miami Post- 
office the receipts at which in that \-ear amounted to §14. "2m. The 
military postofifice at Fort Meigs was discontinued after the removal of 
the garrison to Detroit in May, 1815, and letters afterward directed to 
settlers at Fort Meigs were delivered at the Miami office until a post- 
office was established at Perrysburg 28th January, 1823, with Thomas R. 
M' Knight master. An office was opened at Maumee in February, 
1M24. 

The influx of settlers that incited the division of the Basin into 
Counties in 1820, also stimulated the general Government to organize 
additional mail facilities. In 1821-22 a route was established from the 
Village of Maumee through Defiance to Fort Wayne, and thence by St. 
Marys to Piqua. The carrier, Thomas Driver, made the round journey 
every two weeks on horseback with a small mail bag, which was some- 
times empty. 

Fort Defiance was the name of the postoffice at the junction of the 
Auglaise River with the Maumee until 10th March, 1824, when the 
word Fort was dropp^'d. Timothy S. Smith was the first postmaster 
here; and his residence on the north bank of the Maumee served for the 
office until a postoffice building of logs, 10x12 feet ground size and one 
stor}' high, was completed in the autumn of 1822 on the south side of 
the Maumee by the Jefferson Street Ford and Ferry. 

The first postmaster at Fort Wayne was Judge Samuel Hanna who 
kejit the office in his store by Columbia Street. The Chicago mail was 
often sent this way, a Mr. Bird of Fort Wayne for a time carr3'ing it 
afoot. The route along the Maumee River soon developed to daily 
service. One William Daggett, son of William King Daggett of 
Middlebury, Vermont, came to Ohio in 1834 and was one of the mail 
carriers on this route in 1836, then driving four horses hitched to a large 
wagon bearing two cross planks as seats for passengers. 

September 29, 1838, the first postoffice was established at Hicks- 
ville, the first off the main line in the middle part of the Basin, and 
Alfred P. Edgerton served as its first postmaster. The mail was 
carried thither by David Landis from the Cranesville Postoffice on the 
main line at the embryo Village of New Rochester, Paulding County, 
one mile north of the present Cecil. 

The first regular mail along the Hull Road was carried by Joseph 
Gordon, beginning 7th February, 1823, from Perrysburg on the main 
eastern line to Bellefoptaine, Logan County, eighty-one miles. Fort 



FIRST MAILS AND POSTAGE RATES. 581 

I"iiulla\' was tlun tlu- only intiiviiiinu i)ostofficc. The word Fort was 
(lri)|)|)i(l Irom the iiami- ol tliis office about the \ear \^'2\. At first this 
mail was carried once every three weeks. The period was later 
shortened to a weekly mail and, 1st January, 1H40, to semi-weekly. 

Whicles lor carrying the mails, and passengers, began to be used 
through Ohio to Detroit in 1H27. Late in 18/50 provisions were made 
(or a daily line of stage coaches between Buffalo and Detroit. The 
first coach crossed the Maumei' River near Perrysburg the 2nd January, 
\><'M, and passed thi' postofhct'S at Maumee, Miami, and the settlement 
of Calvin Tremain a storekeejier from Wrmont. Tremain was post- 
master at this ]>oint, which was called Trrmainville. It was within the 
northwestern limits of the present City of Toledo, and the jjostoftice at 
the embrvo Toledo (Port Lawrence) was served three times a we<k bv 
Tremain until the road aloiii; the Kit bank of the Maumee River was 
o]Hned, or until iJrd March, lbi]o, when the mail route was changed to 
the river road through Toledo, which oflice then sui)plit'd the Tremain- 
ville ofhce, antl through Manhattan the site of which is now within the 
northern part of the City of Toledo. 

With the completion of the Miami and l'>ie and Wabash and ICrie 
Canals, and the cstablishmint of lines of I'acket P>oats in lH4;:5-44, the 
use of Stage Coaches along these lines ceased, the mails as well as 
passengers being transported by boats. The development from canal 
packets to steam cars was welcomed but a few years later. 

In the year 1836 it recjuired thirteen days and nights to transmit 
mail from Perrysburg to New York City. In 1H43 the time was reduced 
to eight days and nights. At this writing tlu' time is less than twenty- 
four hours. 

The postage rates have been as follows: February 20, ITl'J, (or 
thirty miles or less six cents; thirty to sixty miles 8 cents; 60 to 100 
miles 10 cents : 100 to 150, 12>2 ; 150 to 200, 15 ; 200 to 250, 17 : 250 to 
350, 20; 350 to 450, 21 ; over 450 miles 25 cents. March 2, 1799, to 40 
miles 8 cents; 40 to 90, 10: 90 to 150, VI'A ; 150 to 300, 17; 350 to 500, 
25. April 9, 1816, to 30 miles 6 cents: 30 to 80, 10: 80 to 150, 12>^ ; 
150 to 400, 18 ?4 ; over 400 miles 25 cents. March 3, 1845, to 300 miles 
5 cents; over 300 miles 10 cents. March 3, 1851, to any distance in the 
United States under 3000 miles three cents. October 1, 1883, the 
postage on ordinary letters was reduced to two cents. 

Envelopes for letters were first used in 1839, but they did not come 
into general use for fifteen to twenty years later : the letter or large 
sheet being folded, tucked in, and sealed with wax. Postage Stamps 
soon followed the law for their use of 3rd March, 1^47. Those of five 
and ten cents were the first denominations; and they served cjuite 
general use also as fractional currency. 



582 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASfN. 



The Registering of mail matter went into operation 3rd March, 
1855 ; and Domestic Postal Money Orders were first issued in 1H64. 
The Foreign Orders followed, first on Switzerland in 1869; England 
1871 ; Germany 1872; Canada 1875; Italy 1877. Postal Cards were first 
used in the spring of 1873. 

The contract for the first Telegraph Line through this Basin, to con- 
nect Buffalo and Milwaukee across the lower Maumee, was let in the 
fall of 1846, and the Line was used in part the next year. The 
Telephone followed in the year 1878. 

The early Postoffices in the Maumee River Basin, with the net 
amount of their receipts in the years 1827, 1828, and 1830, have been 
gathered from the- American State Papers Volume XV, as follows: 



Name, and Present County. 


1827 


1828 


1830 


Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan, 






t ,")8..")7 


Amanda, Auglaise County, Ohio, 




* .7:i 




Defiance, Defiance County. Ohio, 


$ 28.. i4 


:!2 . h:'. 


40.76 


Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio, 


.5.0:! 


8,14 


25.84 


Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, 


)■>■■:. v.: 


\r,s.2i\ 


Hii;.,"!.-, 


Maumee, Lucas County, Ohio, 


M) . ;'s 


.')1 (iil 


,'>.S.i)l 


Miami, Lucas County, Ohio, 


mil 


IS. 21 


33.88 


Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio, 


Ki.!)'.l 


,->7 . it.") 


00.00 


Port Lawrence, Lucas County, Ohio, 


18. or, 


ir>.,s4 


20.26 


St. Marys, Auglaise County, Ohio, 


12.:!S 






Shane Crossing, Mercer County, Ohio, 


lO.O.'i 


i2.s:i 


i:!.92 


Wapakoneta, Auglaise County, Ohio, 






0.,S5 


Waterville, Lucas County, Ohio, 






.5.76 


Waterloo, DeKalb County, Indiana, 


.-,.o.-) 


(i.2n 


8.87 


Willshire, Van Wert County, Ohio, 


2 . (i 1 


4 . .'is 


1.16 



The Toledo Postoffice, the successor of Port Lawrence, received 

during the year ending 31st March, 1903, the sum of $459,368.98 it 

being over twenty-one per cent increase of the receipts of 1902. During 

February 1904 the receipts were $38,418 being an increase of $2220 over 

February, 1903. 

United States Custom Houses. 

The first United States Port for the collection of Import and Ex- 
port Duties in this Basin was at Miami, the northeasterly part of the 
present Village of Maumee, Lucas County. The Act of Congress to 
establish the Customs District of Miami was passed March 3, 1805, but 
some length of time elapsed before the office was opened here, the 
office at Sandusky, the original port in Ohio as a subdivision of. the 
District of Erie, continuing to make what few collections were neces- 
sary and possible. 



FIRST CUSTOM HOUSES AND PUBLIC ROADS. 583 

Amos Spafford was Colkctor of the- Port of ^fiarni in l^^lO. ffis 
r(i>ort to the Govirmiu lit lor tlic throo montiis endin>i HOth June, |Hl(l, 
shows the c'xjiorts to havt' Ixcn of hut two classes of articles, named and 
valued as follows: Skins and Furs ii;r),()R).H5: 20 Gallons Bears' Oil 
$;iO. Ill was obliged to leave the Port to the British and savafjes at 
the time of the departure of the other Americans after the surrender of 
Detroit by General Hull. He returned, however, after the building of 
Fort Meigs, or near the close of the War of 1HP2, as his report shows 
that his Salary for 1M14 wasS2.riO; office rent $10; fuel and stationery 
$15.7."). No aflidavit was allixed to this report, but the following ex- 
planatory statenunt instead, viz: 'There being no officer legally 
authorized to administer oaths nearer than sixty or seventy miles, I 
have not been able to attend to that part of the duty as the law re- 
([uires.' The writer has been unable to determine the date of the dis- 
continuance of this ofilice at Miami. 

There was a Custom House at Port Lawrence, within the present 
Toledo City limits, in the year 1832 and possibly before, William 
Wilson being then the Collector of this Port. The collections at the 
Port of Toledo have since increased to large amounts, particularly since 
the change of thi' law i)erniitting the receii>t of goods in bond from the 
Atlantic and other seaports. 

The Development of Public Roads. 

Good Roads are developed by two great forces — civilization and 
wealth. The first settlers in the Maumee River Basin possessed the 
full average for their class and time of the former requisite, but their 
means for the expensive work of making good roads through this 'Black 
Swamp' region were very limited. The beginnings and the develop- ,y' 
ment of this important work is a good part of the story of the remark- 
able development of this Basin. 

The States, the General Government, and the early settlers, each 
and all gave early consideration to the necessity of connecting settle- 
ments and markets by i)ublic highways. The Enabling Act providing 
for the admission of Indiana into the Union, granted to the State three 
per centum of the net proceeds of the sales of the Public Lands to 
'be reserved for making public roads and canals' under the direction 
of the Legislature.* All parts of this western country received the like 
governmental benefaction. The receipts were very small for the needs, 
and much delay and misdirection of effort attended all movements. 

The General Assembly of Ohio resolved February 22, l^<20, that 
the Ohio Senators and Representatives in the United States Congress 
be requested to use their influence to have expended for its proposed 



' Acts of Congress, Section VI Clause 3. April 19. 1816. 



584 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN, 

use the sum of six thousand dollars which sum was appropriated by 
Congress 12th December, iHll, for defraying the expenses of exploring, 
surveying', and opening the road provided for in the Treaty of Browns- 
town '25th November, IHO^i (see ante page 250) from the Foot of the 
Rapids of the Miami of the Lake (the Maumee) to the western line of 
the Connecticut I^eserve, and south from Lower Sandusky to the Treaty 
Boundary Line. Upon investigation it was found that this fund had 
been expended during the War of 1812 for other purposes. 

At the May, 1820, meeting of the Commissioners of Wood County, 
Ohio, Seneca Allen Auditor was allowed one dollar for publishing in 
The Columbus Gazette the rates of tax on land for road purposes. June 
110, Is2(), James Carlin, Ephraim L. Learning and Norman L. Freeman 
were appointed by the Commisioners Viewers of a State Road from 
Fort Meigs by Fort Findlay to Bellefontaine, a section of which now 
forms the Main Street in Bowling Green. In February, 1821, the 
Commissioners viewed personally the State and other roads, declared 
the contracts for their making completed, and settled with all persons, 
Thomas M'llrath, Francis Charter and Isaac Richardson being the 
principal contractors. A Legislative Act of February 2, 1M21. provided 
for a State Road from Fort Meigs to Wapakoneta, and the 21st Novem- 
ber John Johnson of Miami Countv and Samuel Marshall of Shelby 
submitted the Plat and Field Notes. Such plats and notes were copied 
into a blank book which is yet kept subject to the inspection of every 
citizen. The lines of these first surveys often varied that the road 
might be made along the most convenient or iiracticable way, in cross- 
ing streams and marshy places particularly. In later years they have 
been much straightened other than in the occasional places where not 
practicable to place the road along Land Section lines. October 28, 1822, 
there were certified to the Commissioners the Field Notes and Plat of a 
State Road from the Village of Maumee up the north side of the Maumee 
River, along the Military Road to Defiance, thence across the Maumee 
. / at Wayne Street to Second Street and 'up the west side of the Auglaise 

River eight miles, thence up thi- north bank of Crooked Creek [Flat 
Rock] to the Indiana State Line in the direction of Fort Wayne' 
— distance seventy-seven miles and sixty-three chains. At their meet- 
ing in June, 1823, James H. Slawson presented a petition asking the 
appointment of viewers to examine and lay out a County Road com- 
mencing at the River in front of Tract No. 28 of the United States Re- 
serve: of twelve miles square at the Foot of the Rapids of the Miami of 
the Lake [Maumee River] in said County : thence on as direct line as 
the nature of the ground would admit to the sawing mill of Learning 
and Stewart on Swan Creek. 

Meantime the State of Ohio was authorized by Congress, 28th 



SURVEYING AND PLATTING OF PUBLIC ROADS. S8S 

I'"ilituar\-, \>^-'.<, to lay nut, djm n, and construct a road from tlu' Lower 
Iv'apids of tilt' Miami of l^nkv i'-rii- [Maumi'c River] to tin- western 
boundary of thi' Connecticut Wistirn Hcsfrve, in sucli manmr as tin- 
LcK'islature of said State may li\ law ])rovide with the apiiroliation of 
the President of the United States, said road to forever remain a i>ub]ic 
highway. To aid the State in this work the one hundred and twenty 
feet wide for roadway and one niiU' in width on each side adjoining 
according to the Treaty of Brownstown, were given to the State with 
power to Sell and convey all land not needed for the road at not less 
than $1.25 per acre. The proceeds were to In- ai)plie(l to making the 
road and if in excess it was to be applied to keeping the road in 
repair. This land was to lie liounded by Section lines as run bv the 
Ihiited States Surveyors. The road was to lie made w'ithin four years 
of tlu' passage of the Act, from the ford near the foot of the lowest 
rajiids of the Maumec east to I""remont and to thi' Western Reserve. 
Congri'ss also authorized the I'lesidenl I'fith May, 1>*'_*4, to ajiimint 
three commissioners to explore, survey, and mark 'in the most eligiliK- 
course' a road to connect the last named road with Detroit. The Pres- 
ident 'was authorized to employ the troops of the United States to 
make or assist in making said road' and the Act also aiipropriated 
Sr^O.DOO for the work. May 19, IH^K, Congress further approjiriated 
^riyOO to comiilete the Maumee-Detroit Road. 

Among tlu- first acts of the Commissioners of other counties lieside 
Wood as liefore mentioned, were those relating to roads, viz: In .Mien 
County, Indiana, "i'ind October, 1H:>4, notice of the location of a State 
Road from X'ernon in Jennings County. b\' wav of Greensburg, Rush- 
villc, and New Castle, to Fort Wayne ; those of Williams Countv, 
Ohio, (ith December, 1H24, authorized the opening of a County Road 
on the north sidi- of the Maumee River from thi' Ford at Jefferson Street, 
Defiance, to the east line of Henry County, or the Grand Rapids. 
This, however, appears to be along the line of the proposed State 
Road of 1822. They also ordered opened 7th March, l'-i2.", a Countv 
Road from the east line of Henry County up the south side of the 
Maumee River to Defiance: also 19th June, 1H27, a Countv Road from 
Defiance along the General Wayne Military Road up the north side of 
the Maumee to the Indiana State Line. The Commissioners of Williams 
County, then governing the present Counties of Defiance, Henrv, 
Paulding and Putnam, ordered June 6, 182fi, that the three per centum 
fund on net receipts for the sales of United States Land, allowed liy 
Congress for road improvement, be applied to the building of bridges 
and crossings in Williams and the other Counties attached to it. The 
Commissioners of Hancock County provided September Hi, 1H29, for 
what is now called the Findla\- and \'anlue Road. 



586 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

About the year 1827 a State Road was surveyed and opened from 
Upper Sandusky to Findlay, and by way of the north side of the 
Blanchard I-iiver to the present Ottawa, Putnam County, thence 
straightening the Aborigine Trail to form the present Defiance-Ottawa 
Road, a total distance of seventy-seven miles. 

In 1827 the first road was laid out by Michigan authorities in Port 
Lawrence Township, which then included the present Toledo and about 
half of the present Lucas County. The last official act of the Michigan 
officers of Port Lawrence Township, before surrendering to the Ohio 
officials in 1835, was the laying out of a road from Tremainville to 
Toledo, three miles and twenty-three chains in length, which road has 
developed into the jiresent Cherry Street, Toledo. This road connected 
with the road then recently opened along the river from Vistula and 
Port Lawrence to Fort Miami, and which was about this time extended 
from X'istula to the Village of Manhattan at the mouth of the Maumee 
River, by whose citizens it was continued northward to the Harris Line, 
there connecting with the National Road to Detroit before noted. 

The ath Decemlier, 1831, the Survey and Plat were certified to of a 
State Road from Bellefontaine, Logan County, through Lima, Allen 
County, the present Kalida, Putnam County, crossing the Auglaise 
River above the mouth of the Blanchard and thence down the west side 
of the Auglaise to Defiance; thence across the Maumee and in a north- 
westerly direction across the Tiffin River at the present Brunersburg, 
and on through Ney and crossing the River St. Joseph three miles 
above Edgerton, Williams County, and on the same course to the 
Indiana State Line, a distance of one hundred and eighteen miles. 
This road was later extended through Steuben County, Indiana, to 
Pleasant Lake. 

A County Road was certified in June, 1832, from Defiance up the 
Tiffin River to the Michigan State Line, a distance of twenty-seven 
miles and thirty-nine chains. In November, 1832, a State Road Survey 
was certified, extending from Defiance eastward along the south side of 
the Maumee River a few miles and then across country to the present 
Fremont, Sandusky County, sixty-six miles. Also, 15th January, lli34, 
a State Road from Defiance southeast, through the present Ayresville 
and along the Defiance Moraine (South Ridge) through the northeast 
part of Putnam County and the northwest part of Hancock to Tiffin, 
sixty-six miles. This road is in line, diagonally across the Townships, 
with the Bellefontaine Road northwest of Defiance, and it has errone- 
ously been called the Bellefontaine Road. 

All of these roads remain most important thoroughfares. They 
have been varied somewhat from their original courses, but they were 
generally wisely located ; and the numerous later roads that have been 



EARLY GROSSING OF RIVERS. TURNPIKE ROADS. 587 

m.ulc intirsrctinn and connuctinn with thciii, have liul added to their 
importance-. 

The streams were lordtd at thi- most convenii-nt shallow jilaces. 
On thi- more prominent lines of travel i)rimitive (errv boats were in use, 
particularly in high stages of water. The first licensed ferry boat at 
Defiance was in use in April, 1H"24, across the Maumee and Auglaise 
Rivers, see ante page 528. The first bridge across the Auglaise here 
was built at Hopkins Stn-et in 1858, and the ferry continued in use at 
this ])oint until this dati'. The first liridgt' across the Maumet at 
Defiance was a toll luidi^e luiilt in ls:j() at Clinton Street liy Sidney S. 
Sprague and other enterjjrising citizens. The piers and al)Utments were 
of timlier insecurely anchored, and they were carried away by the high 
water after two or three years. Other succeeding bridges at the same 
])lace were destroyed in the same way, as was a toll bridge across the 
Tiffin River at Brunersburg, l)uilt betwi-en the years 18;38, ]H40 by 
Samuel .\. Sargent and (iilnian C. Mudgett. 

In particularly marshy places in these public roads, teams and 
wagons were ke])t from miring by sections of small trees laid across the 
roadway, olt(.'n several layers dee']). Such , corduroy construetion, 
though at best hard to travel over, was the' only means at hand until 
the opening of ditches and the procuring of a smootlu'r hard surface, 
which required many \e'ars of labor in pre])aration. 

The first toll road in the middle Maumee region was made bv 
Alfred P. Edgerton for the Hicks Land Comiiany by Act of the Ohio 
Legislature of ITuh |aneiar\-, IX-ii), to conne-ct Hicks ville. Defiance 
County, with the' W'abasli and Erie Canal at the present Antwerp, 
Paulding County, the Maumee River lieing forded in low stages of 
water and ferried in higher stages. This road was transferre-d to the 
Commissioners of these counties by Mr. Edgerton in 1«(')4 with the- only 
condition that they keep it in repair. 

The era of Turniiike Roads began also in Wood Countv about the 
year 184.1. March IDth the Commissioners effected the purchase from 
the Perrysburg, Findlay and Kenton Turn^nke Comjiany, recently 
organized, of the jiart of their line in Wood County for the sum of §252 
expended for engineering and other payments, and their acce])tance of 
the contracts made. These turnpikes were made liy turning and throw- 
ing the mud from tin; sides into the middle of the- road. The ditches 
thus forme-d on each side were generally too shallow to drain the road 
and it continued impassable much of the time in wet seasons. Febru- 
ary 3, 184U, the Perrysburg and Findlay Plank Road Companv was 
chartered by W. H. Hopkins, Collister Haskins, Schuyler N. Beach, 
E. D. Peck, George Powers, Jose|ih Sargent, Willard V. Way and 
othe-rs. Perrysburg Township subscribe'd SiiOOO and Plain Township 



5B8 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

voted $2000. Two steam sawing mills were built between Perrysburg 
and Bowling Green, and about the year 1H5I] the laying of plank was 
completed along the roadway between these villages, and tollgates 
established. 

Sidewalks were not providt-d lor by town enactment until tht- vear 
1840 at Defiance: and on account of the plenitude of forest products, 
they were rough wood affairs which but few of the towns have yet out- 
grown. Nothing was done in the central part of the Basin to place a 
hard, smooth covering on a ])ublic road until the years 1849, 1850, when 
there was formed at Defiance and the two-mile distant competing town 
of Brunersburg, a company composed principally of Brice Hilton, 
William D. Haymaker, Edwin Phelps, H. R. Major, John Tuttle, and 
probably a few others, who placed oak plank, cut at the Hilton sawing 
mill in Brunersburg, along the Bellefontaine Road from the Maumee 
River at Defiance northwest for a distance of about five miles. Two 
tollgates, with cottages for the keepers' families, were built by this 
road, one at one mile and the other at four miles from Defiance. This 
road was also extended southeast five miles to Ayresville with one toll- 
gate. The demand for tolls became very unpopular, particularly after 
the first wet season when the plank became displaced and were not 
well looked after. Tolls were insisted upon, however, until the debts 
of the Company were paid and then after a few years the company 
abandoned the road, losing all the efforts and money invested; and 
leaving the way in worse condition than it was before the plank were 
laid. The company efforts with Plank Roads in other parts of the Basin 
resulted similarly. The most extensive of these efforts centered at Fort 
Wayne, being stimulated, as at Defiance, by the increasing amount of 
farm products hauled thither for canal shipment. The longest of these 
early road improvements, with plank laid over the worst parts, led from 
Sturgis, Michigan, to Fort Wayne, a distance of about sixty miles. 

Beginning with the years 1872-73, the writer, who was driving, 
and on horseback, through the country in all directions, contributed a 
series of articles to the Defiance Express newspaper on the best methods 
for permanent road improvement, the advantages to be derived there- 
from, and the convenient locations of gravel and stone for such 
improvement. He then obtained the signatures of the property owners 
along the business part of Clinton Street, Defiance, petitioning the 
Common Council to improve this very miry thoroughfare; but such 
proposition was then considered chimerical by this body the members 
of which made little use of the roads, and no favorable action was taken. 
The agitation bore fruit, however, and after the election of other men 
the street was macadamized, being completed early in December, 1877. 
Ferrv Street was macadamized in part in the year 1878. The County 



SURVEYING AND PLATTING UNITED STATES LANDS. 589 

Coniniissioin-rs now actid under improved road laws and in 1hh() six 
roads radiating iroiii tlic Court House of Deliance County, were heinj,' 
thus inii)rovid. The era of road iniprovtment l)y nf^vel then l)eyan : 
anil tile improvement throufihout the County by both gravel and stone 
has since l)een encourauinn in detjree; and such is now the case in many 
parts of the Basin. 

'I'llK UnIIKI> SlATKS LaNDS. 

The extinction of nearly all the claims of the Aliori^ines to lands 
ill lliis 15asin by the United States Treaties and |)urchase, j^ivt-n in 
Chapter XH, was followed bv the survey and markins^ of these lands in- 




ROCK QUARRY AND CRUSHER FOR ROAD iMPKuVh.MKNT 

Of Corniferous Limestone in the Northwest Quarter of Section Nine. Defiance Township. Looltinc 
northeast 21st November. 19(12. Auglaise River at the left. 

to Townshijis and Sections. This system of survey is the perfection of 
the plan of Thomas Hutchins Geographer of the United States who 
began the more eastern survey in 17H6. It deserves consideration as 
the simplest and liest system of land survey for record vet devised. 
The necessary starting points are a Base Line, and a Principal Meridian. 
Three each of these lines are in principal use in this Basin. 

In the Ohio Survey the 41st Parallel of Latitude, the line di\-iding 
Paulding and Van Wert Counties, was surveyed as the Base Line in 
>Iay, IHiy, by Sylvanus Bourne. The Land Townships are numbered 



l/ 



590 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



north and south of this line, every six miles forming a full Township. 
The west boundary line of the State of Ohio was taken as the Principal 
Meridian and the Ranges number east from this line, every six miles of 
Land Sections forming a Range. An irregularity occurs along the 
lower Maumee River on account of the want of line accord with the 
previous Survey (in 1816) of the Greenville Treaty Reservations of 
1795; and in central southernmost part of the Basin with want of 
accord with the Virginia Military Survey. 

For Michigan the Base Line is at)out Latitude 42' 20'; and the 
rrinci])al Meridian about Longitude 7 19' west from Washington it 
being the dividing line between Hillsdale County and Lenawee, making 
the Ranges in the former West, and in the latter East ; the Townships 
in both these Counties being south of the Base Line. The Michigan 
Survey did not stop at the Ohio boundary line, the Harris Line (see 
ante pages .5(37-8) but extended about five and one half miles south of it 
at the northwestern corner of Ohio, and thence along the Fulton Line 
due east, it being about eight miles south of North Cape in Maumee 
Bay the location of the north Ohio State Line. 

Indiana and Illinois have the same Base Line, well toward the 
southern i)artof these States, near Bellevue. All of the Indiana Land 

Townships in this Basin are, conse- 
quentl\-, North, the most northern one 
being number Thirty-eight. The In- 
diana Principal Meridian is west of the 
central part of the State near Labanon 
or 9" 30' west of Washington ; hence 
all the Indiana Ranges in this Basin 
are East — see Township Map. 

The Base and Meridian Lines here 
were surveyed in the years 1819-20; 
and several followmg years were nec- 
essaryto survey and mark the Township 
and Section Lines. Each complete 
Sprinefieid Civil Township, and Land Land Township is as near six miles 
Township No. Six North. Range No. Four g ^^^^^ ^s the Converging meridians 

East, Williams County, Ohio. Showing the ^ 

system of numbering the Land Sections, each admit, and SUCh Square IS surveyed 

one mile square: and the Meander of the -^^^^ thirtv-six Sections beginning at 

Tiffin River and its tributaries. 

the northeast corner and numbering 
from right to left, then numbering the next lower tier of Sections con- 
tinuously from left to right, and continuing this forth and back 
numbering to Section Thirty-six which is the southeast Section of 
the Township — see accompanying plat. Sections are divided into 
quarters of one hundred and sixty acres each, which quarters are 




TOWNSHIPS LAND AND CIVIL. SCHOOLS. 591 

iia(lil\ suliiliviclicl with siinplr de-scrijition into any fraction di-sirt-d. 

WhiK- many Lantl ami Civil Townships correspoml in size, there 
arc sfvural reasons why all ilo not. The irrey-ular size and form of 
some Counties often deform the Civil To\vnshi[)s; the irref^ularity of 
mau\ ()( the Tnited States and Aliorij;ine Reservations that extended 
alons,^ rivers deform some Land Townships ; and ahuttinj; surveys 
makinfi fractional Sections necessarv; these in the Indiana Survey 
at the Oliio State Line and the Michigan Survey at the Ohio and 
Fulton Lines which could not come even, are the jirincijial causes for 
variance. Lucas County, Ohio, exhiliitsthe (greatest irntiularitv. 

'{"he I'niteil States established several ofilices lor tin- sale of the 
l^ublic Lands as soon as their survey was sufficientl\- advanced. The 
first office for northwestern Ohio was established at l'i(|ua in iHlilc^r 
IN'JO. Then lollowed one at Fort Wayne for northern Indiana: and 
one at Monroe in lH'2'd for Michigan. .\n ol^ci- was later established at 
Wapakoneta; and this w-as mo\td to l^ima in the winter of ]Hr{4-;!r). 
Ill llie Near Is^s this offict.' was ri'moved to I )eliance where it remained 
tor several yt'ars imtil the United States Lands were sold, when it was 
removed to Chillicothe.* 

February i, iWiL it vvas estimated that there were I;!,hlM,(HI() acres 
of Public (United States) Land in the State of Ohio of which 
12,1)42,000 acres were surveyed; and in Indiana 21,5()r),440 acres of 
which 9,926,020 acres were surveyed. These estimates were 'from 
calculations from printed majis, and cannot be relied on for accuracy' 
was the report of the General Land Office at Washington. 

The early laws provided that Section Sixteen in every Land Town- 
ship should be set aside for the benefit of Public Schools accordin^^ to 
the Ordinance of 17*^7. Contrress passed an Act Februarv 1, ]S2(), 
enaliling Ohio to sell School Lands, with consent of the people resident 
in the Township, and with the receipts to establish a permanent fund 
the interest of which could be applied to school use. 

The Private and Public Schools. 
The Ordinance of the United States Congress K-Jth Julv, 17^7 — the 
Magna Charta of the five States formed from the Territory Northwest 
of the River Ohio, which everyone should read — proclaims in Article 
III that religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good 
government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of 
education shall, forever be encouraged. The Constitution adopted 29th 
November, 1802, for the organization of Ohio, provided in Article VIII, 
Section 25, that no law shall be passed to prevent the poor in the 
several Counties and Townships within this State from an equal 

* tor account of Land Offices for the sale of Ohio State Lands, see ante paue 5;i9, 



592 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

participation in the schools, academics, colleges, and universities 
within this State which are endowed, in whole or in part, from the 
revenue arising from donations made by the United States for the sup- 
port of schools and colleges. These provisions are repeated, and 
fortified, in the Constitution as amended 10th March, 1851. 

There lieing no public school fund, a jirivate school was maintained 
by the settlers at Miami, about two miles below the foot of the lowest 
rapids of the Maumee, previous to the War of 1H12. Soon after the 
close of this war there was opened a i)rivate school in the vicinity of 
Fort Meigs. And wherever a settlement was started, a school teacher 
soon appeared. 

The General Assembly of Ohio enacted a law '2'2nd January, 1H'21, 
requiring the favorable vote of the majority of the electors of a Town- 
ship for the organization of a school, and that the district wherein the 
school was organized must contain at least twelve householders. It is 
doubtful if any settlement in the central part of the Maumee River 
Basin at this date could have organized a school under this law. 
Schools were maintained, however, and in a few instances schoolhouses 
were built, by private contributions of labor and money. 

The first school at Defiance was organized in 1H:^4 in a house that 
was tvpicallv primitive in every respect. By union effort a building 
about 20x28 feet in size was built of logs on the fractional lot at the 
northwest corner of Perry and First Streets, facing eastward. As in the 
Early Home in the Wilderness pictured on page 513, oiled paper was 
used in the windows instead of glass. The fire was kept against a large 
backlog in an enormous chimney fireplace. The seats were first of 
puncheons, and later some of slabs cut by the Brunersburg sawing 
mill which were thought superior to those hewn with an axe. They 
were supported on the rough puncheon floor bv four spreading legs 
stuck into augur holes on their under surface. The feet of the smaller 
children could not touch the floor when they were seated, and there 
were no backs to the seats. Planks declining from the side walls above 
the benches were used for writing exercises by the larger pupils. 
William Semans was the first teacher. For several years only a private 
school could be had. The tuition fees were generally named at two 
dollars for each pupil per (juarter, the teacher being obliged to gather 
the pupils as best he could, and also to act as collector of tuition 

fees. 

The first public school house in Fort Wayne was a one-story brick 
building constructed in 1H25, which building also served, like all early 
schoolhouses and many later ones, for meetings political, masonic, 
town, and religious. John P. Hedges was the first teacher; and he 
had the room plastered in the winter of 1826 at his individual expense. 



SCHOOLS. THE FIRST AND THE LATER. 595 

Findlav's first schoolhousf was as i)rimitivc in material and con- 
struction, and somowhat smaller than the onu at Defiance. The first 
teacher tiure was John C. Wickliani. The above named are types. 

The changes in material surroundings since this meaj^er beninnin^r, 
throujih a series of three or four successive huiUlinjis to the present new, 
commodious, and i lii;antlv appointed structuns which >;enerally 
abound, have been great. Many improvements have been made, also, 
in the school law, and in some |)laces in the modes of imparting instruc- 
tion. There is yet, however, lamentable want of a State supervising 
body to bring all tlu' teaching bodies to definite and uniform recjuire- 
ments : to i)ut a stop to bickerings, and to get them away from the present 
easy discipline or want of discipline, and from the general deference to 
the intolerant spirit of anything sa\'oring of reverence and of tasks. In 
comparison with the former eastern school in the higher grades some 
of the jiresent school davs in which the minds of the jiupils are full of 
the affairs of the sjiorting field, of night parties and receptions, and of 
everything but discijiline through required tasks liy wholesome appli- 
cation; when schools of some towns are generally dismissed for the day 
whenever a circus or anything of an exciting or sporting character 
comes to town appear elusive, delusive, and damaging; even defeat- 
ing the true object of education or the forming of sterling character 
by teaching the young to overcome obstacles, to see aright, to observe, 
and to develop wholesome thought ; to endure all things, to feel more 
dispassionately and reverentl\', and to act wisely in all things. 

The number of academies, seminaries, schools of music, book- 
keeping, etc., that have been opened, and closed, in this Basin has been 
large. Every smaller county has had one or more, and the more 
pojiulous centers have had, and yet have, several of varying aims and 
grades. .\nd yet many of the young people desiring advanced studies 
have been sent to older jiarts of the State, or eastward. 

The Fort Wayne F"emale College was advertised in the Defiance 
Democrat September 23, 1H47, by Samuel Brenton, Secretary. A. C. 
Huestes, A. M., was Acting President, assisted in teaching by Misses 
Abigail Kies and Elizabeth F". Irving. There were Juvenile, Prepara- 
tory, and Collegiate, Departments, giving instruction in languages 
and ' Music on the Piano or Seraphim, Drawing and Painting, Wax 
Flowers, Plain and Ornamental Needle Work.' This school was 
under the patronage of the North Indiana Annual Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Its plan was changed a few years later 
to include pupils of both sexes and the name changed to that of Fort 
Wayne College; but not meeting with the desired success it was 
removed to Upland, Indiana, some years ago as the nucleus of Taylor 
University. 



594 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

In the early history of Mercer County, Ohio, there was a combina- 
tion of efforts to found a colony of and an educational institution for 
colored people. These efforts were attended with apparent success for 
some length of time to be finally defeated in pathetic manner. Auj^us- 
tus Wattles, a native of Connecticut who was a prime mover in this 
work, wrote to Henry Howe as follows:" 

My early education as you well know would naturally lead me to look upon learn- 
ing and good morals as of infinite importance in a land of liberty. In the winter of 
18;i!i-.^4 I providentially became acquainted with the colored population of Cincinnati, 
and found about 4000 totally ignorant of everything calculated to make good citizens. 
Most of them had been slaves, shut out from every avenue of moral and mental improve- 
ment. I started a school for them and kept it up with two hundred pupils for two years. 
I then proposed to the colored people to move into the country and purchase land, and 
remove from these contaminating influences which had so long crushed them in our cities 
and villages. They promised to do so provided I would accompany them and teach 
school. I travelled through Canada, Michigan and Indiana, looking for a suitable 
location, and finally settled here [in the present Marion Township, Mercer County, Ohio] 
thinking this place contained more natural advantages than any other unoccupied country 
within my knowledge. In IS.'!.") I made the first purchase for colored people in this 
County. In about three years they owned not far from iiO.OOO acres. I had travelled 
into almost every neighborhood of colored people in the State and laid before them the 
benefits of a permanent home for themselves and of education for their children. In my 
first journey through the State I established, by the assistance and cooperation of aboli- 
tionists, twenty-five schools for colored children. I collected from the colored people 
such money as they had to spare and entered land for them. Many who had no money 
then, succeeded in raising some and brought it to me. With this I bought land for them. 

I purchased for myself one hundred and ninety acres of land to establish a manual 
labor school for colored boys. I had sustained a school on it at my own e.\pense till the 
11th November, 1842. While in Philadelphia the winter before, I became acquainted 
with the trustees of the late Samuel Emlen of New Jersey, a Friend [Quaker]. He left 
by his will $20,000 for the 'support and education in school learning and the mechanic 
arts and agriculture such colored boys, of African and Aborigine descent, whose parents 
would give them up to the Institute.' We united our means, and they purchased my 
farm and appointed me the superintendent of the establishment, which they called the 
Emlen Institute. 

A large two-story brick house was built as a nucleus for the home 
and school for these boys. In 1846 Judge Leigh of Virginia purchased 
five sections of land, 3200 acres, in this settlement for the freed slaves 
of John Randolph of Roanoke. They arrived in Mercer County in the 
summer of 1846 to the number of about four hundred, and were by 
many of the white settlers of the County forcibly prevented from making 
settlement. Hostilities were commenced and continued against those 
already settled there, with many threats of violence if they did not 
abandon their homes and lands. While this opposition did not drive 
away all of the negroes it, and the death of the promoters, destroyed 
Emlen Institute. A letter to the writer from Thomas J. Godfrey an 



Historical CoIJections of Ohio Centennial Edition, volume ii pa«e 241, 









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PRIVATE GIFTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. 595 

old suttkr at Cc-lina, dated llkh May, 1903, reads practically as follows: 
In IHf)!) the ICmleii Institute was a thinj,' of the past. The farm was 
then owned liy a German as i>rivatt' property. It chanjjed ownership 
a few times, and the Roman Catholics bought it and have a collet,'e 
there now, at Cartha^ena. The old building! is remembered by only 
the old citizens. Negroes hen- are not so numerous as formerly and 
they are yet locat< (1 in and near Carthatjena. The condition of some is 
fairlv prosjierous, luU that of the majority is not prospiTOUs. 

Two oIIki donations from individuals for educational purposes 
within the Basin have been attended with some success, viz: October 
28, 1872, Jesup Wakeman Scott (born Ridselield, Connecticut, Feb- 
ruary 25, 17!l!l: came to Perrysburji, Ohio, in May, 1833, by way of 
Norwalk, from residence in South Carolina, and a few years later 
removed to Toledo) and Susan his wife executed a deed for 160 acres of 
land in trust to eleven 'Trustees of the Toledo University of Arts 
and Trades' for buildings and for maintenance from the leases to be 
granted on the parts of the land not wanted for the school's use. No 
school building has been constructed on this farm, and the entire tract 
of land (situated three miles westward of the Toledo Postoffice and 
l\ins west of Faradav Street and between Nebraska Avenue on the 
north and Hill Avenue on tlie south) has been leased for agricultural 
purposes, the rentals netting the trustees about $600 per annum. 
Meantime a school for secondary grades and for manual training (later 
called Polytechnic School, and Toledo University) has been maintained 
in a building on lot of Toledo Central High School. Considerable 
friction, however, has been engendered between the pupils of these 
schools and also between the City Board of Education and the Trustees, 
arising at times to a degree inimical to the dignity of the latter and to 
the educational welfare of the former. Under the State's new Muni- 
cipal Code, of 1903, the Trustees have attempted to organize a combi- 
nation of nine colleges to be termed The Toledo University; but- want 
of funds and court proceedings involving questions of their legal status, 
prevents the realization of these aspirations. 

The other corporate beneficiary is Blanchard Township, Putnam 
County, Ohio, which received §25,000 in 1880 from the estate of John 
Crawfis by will. Mr. Crawfis was born in Berne, Fairfield County, 
Ohio, in 1809, and in 1833 settled in Blanchard Township where he 
lived an honorable life and accumulated a good estate. The object of 
his bequest was the organization of a Township High School. In 1888 
the trustees of this fund constructed on a plat of four acres of ground 
in the southeastern part of Land Section Twentv, Blanchard Township, 
a creditable brick building to accommodate about five hundred pupils; 
and in 1889 two dormitories were built near-by. School has been 



596 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

maintained in iIilsl' Imildings, which have borne the name Crawfis 
College; and such is the name of the postoffice established in the hamlet 
of M'Culloushville which has formed adjoining the school lot. 

Church and private schools have increased in number, in variety of 
subjects taught, and efficiency. Private schools for the teaching of 
bookkeeping and business usages, and of telegraphy, abound in the 
larger towns with competition sharp between them. Also private 
schools of kindergarten work for the children, with the different grades 
for the youth of separate and both sexes, including evening schools for 
those working by day, also schools for music and for various specialties. 
Many persons of different ages have latterly also entered upon more or 
less of a course of study in 'Correspondence School.' Some of the 
larger towns have maintained lectures in the courses of University 
Extension work. All these with numerous clubs of somewhat literary 
character abounding in ever\' town, have had elevating effects and 
IJresage general improvement in the future. Some of the church and 
more formal schools are fairly well equipped and have been doing fairly 
good work; but their requirements for degrees are yet moderate. They 
supplement the |)ublic schools, and often take the work of them by 
assuming the early and the last short educational training of many 
pupils. Manv young people at these schools, however, obtain a busi- 
ness or ])edagogic training who would not, or could not, go to distant 
and more fully endowed institutions. The influence of these schools 
has also been wholesome and elevating in the main to the entire 
communities surrounding them. The number of pupils in attendance 
vary from a few score in some to over three thousand at Ada during the 
school year. The tuition fees must needs be very low to compete with 
the public schools of the neighborhood, and the State Universities. 

The Miami and Erie and the Wabash and Erie Canals. 

The subject of canals to connect the headwaters of adjacent rivers, 
including those of the Maumee and Wabash and the St. Mary and 
Miami, was advanced by Washington* at different times beginning 
with those in the East as early as the year 1773 or before. Other 
persons also early recognized the utility of such waterways. Generals 
Waj-ne and Harrison in their campaigns noted the feasibility of a Mau- 
mee-Wabash canal, as did officers in the army of the latter. t 



* 77ie Writings of George Was/)/ng(on edited by Jared Sparks, volume IX pages 30, 59, 80, 115, ei 
passim. The canals thereafter built in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York 
are yet in use ; and in 1903, the State of New York voted to again enlarge the New York and Erie 
Canal, this time sufficiently to accommodate large barges, 

t The Maumee is navigable for boats from this place [Furt Wayne] to the Lake [Erie); and the 
portage to the nearest navigable branch [Little River tributary] of the Wabash is but seven or eight miles 
through a level marshy prairie from which the water runs both to the Wabash [through Little River] and 



MAKING CANALS FOR COMMERCIAL WATERWAYS. 597 

The most persistently active and i)ractical promulKator of a K^-'f-Tal 
system of canals, however, was Ue Witt Clinton of New York who be- 
jjan to a^ntate the subject in the latter part of the eighteenth century.* 
He conducted corres]3ondence on this subject with the Governors of 
several States while he was yet Mayor of New York City; and he so 
impressed the Governor and Legislature of Ohio in favor of the New 
York and Erie Canal that, the 7th January, 1812, the Legislature 
l)assed a resolution declaring that the expense of the canal from the 
Hudson River to Lake Erie ought to be provided for by the United 
States Congress. Governor Return J. Meigs communicated this resolu- 
tion to the United States House of Representatives 3rd February, 1813. 

The War of 1812 and the depleted condition of the United States 
Treasury made impracticable the undertaking by the general Govern- 
ment of any extensive public works other than those for diiense. I'.ut 
Mr. Clinton was indefatigable in his labors, and while the war delayed 
it could not defeat the favorable result of his plans. His labors and 
influence committed New York to the great w-ork. Major Benjamin F. 
Stickney Agent to the Aborigines at Fort Wayne in 1812, and later at 
Miami by the lower Maumee communicated to Governor Clinton in 1818 
his ideas of a canal to connect the Maumee and Wabash Rivers which 
so pleased him that he replied . . I have found a way to get into 
Lake Erie and you have shown me how to get out of it. . . You 
have extended my project six hundred miles. t • 

The New York and Erie Canal was begun 4th July, 1817, and com- 
pleted 16th October, 1825. Governor Clinton had the proud satisfac- 
tion at the consummation of this great work of heading a remarkable 
marine procession which ended outside the lower New York Bay by his 
pouring into the Atlantic Ocean a bottle of water brought from Lake 
Erie to signalize the closer union of the Great Lakes and the Sea. 

During the years of his assuring of this great thoroughfare, he 
wrote to the Governors of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, urging that the 
work be carried forward to the connection of the Great Lakes with the 
Mississippi River Basin. In this great work Governor Clinton contin- 
ued his interest and aid to its consummation. In one of his later letters 
8th November, 1823, to Micajah T. Williams one of the Ohio Canal 
Commissioners, he wrote' that 

The State of Ohio from the fertility of its soil, the benignity of its climate, and its 
geographical position, must always contain a dense population, and the productions and 



to the St. Mary [and thence into the Maumee near-by], A canal at some future day will unite these 
rivers. — History of the Late War lof 18125 in the Western Country page 127. by Captain Robert M'Afee, 
Lexington. Kentucky. IH16. 

■■'' See Life of De Witt Clinton by James Renwick. LL. D.. page 153 e( sequentia. 

t Early History of the Maumee Valley by H. L. Hosmer. page 23. 



598 . THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

consumptions of its inhabitants must forever form a lucrative and extensive inland trade, 
exciting the powers of productive industry, and communicating aliment and energy to 
external commerce. But when we consider that this canal will open a way to the great 
rivers that fall into the Mississippi ; that it will be felt, not only in the immense valley of 
that river but as far west as the Rocky Mountains and the borders of Mexico ; and that 
it will communicate with our great inland seas, and their tributary rivers ; with the ocean 
in various routes, and with the most productive regions of America, there can be no ques- 
tion respecting the blessings that it [the Canal] will produce, the riches it will create, and 
the energies it will call into activity. 

The first public movement in Ohio toward a canal across the State 
was a resolution in the Legislature in January, ]H17, on the recommen- 
dation of Governor Thomas Worthin^ton. No definite action, however, 
was then taken. In iHiy Governor Ethan Allen Brown, also at the 
request of Governor Clinton, recommended action, and the next year a 
resolution was passed providing for three Canal Commissioners with 
authoritv to emjiloy an engineer and assistants to make a survey, 
providing that Congress would donate United States' lands along and 
near the line of the canal to aid in its construction. Action rested here 
tor about two years. 

Meanwhile renewed attention was lieing given to the desiraliility of 
a canal across the portage to connect the Maumee with the Little River. 
The ease with which such canal could he made was apparent at a 
glance to all persons passing along the ancient Glacial Drainage 
Channel southwest of Fort Wayne, who had been reading about canals 
in general or about the construction of the New York and Erie Canal 
in particular. Captain James Riley, then a surveyor, reported to 
Edward Tiffin Surveyor General, that on the 19th November, 1820, he 
went southwest of Fort Wayne about one and one-half miles up the 
River St. Mary, crossed that stream and measured the distance to Little 
River a tributary of the Wabash 'and navigable in times of high water 
without improvement' the distance being a little less than seven miles. 
From the summit level in this course back to the River St. Mary he 
reported a decline of about twenty feet, for which two locks would be 
sufficient. A canal to connect these rivers he estimated would not be 
beyond the means of a few individuals of enterprise and ordinary capital.' 

The 21st January, 1822, by a joint resolution of the Ohio Legisla- 
ture a Canal Board composed of Alfred Kelly, Benjamin Tappan, 
Thomas Worthington, Isaac Menor, Jeremiah Morrow, and Ethan A. 
Brown, was appointed to have surveys made for the improvement of 
the falls of the Ohio River, and to examine four routes for a canal or 
canals from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. For these purposes $6000 
was appropriated. Nothing was done by the Canal Board, however, 
toward the survey of the Falls of the Ohio, as that work belonged to 
the United States. 



BEGINNING OF THE CANALS IN OHIO. 599 

The i>nliniitiary surveys for canals were alonji the water courses: 
up till Mauiiii I and Au^jlaise and down the Loramie and larger Miami ; 
up the Scioto and down the Sandusky; ui> the Cuyahoga and down the 
Tuscarawas and Muskingum; and up the Mahoning and down the 
Grand, or these courses reversed. James Geddcs of Syracuse, New 
York, who had been employed on the New York and ICrie Canal, was 
chosen chief surveyor and Isaac Jerome assistant. Only one surveying 
instrument could he obtained, but during the summer of 1h22 a pnlim- 
inarv survey was made of over eight hundred miles of jirosjiective 
canal routes. 

The Board reported in favor of the route up the Cuyahoga Kiver 
from Cleveland, jirobably on account of the largest po])ulation being 
along this route. This report caused a serious jsrotest, particularly 
from the friends of the Sandusky route, and in February, 1824, thi- 
Maumei' and Sandusky routes were resurveyed, with a decision in favor 
of the Maumee route for the second canal. January 25, 1K25, the Com- 
missioners reported the distance from the foot of the Maumee Kajiids- 
to the Ohio River as 265 >2 miles, and the length of the necessary canal 
feeders 'la'/i miles. The altitude of the summit above Lake Erie was 
given as 378 feet; and this summit above the Ohio River as 511 A feet. 
The estimated cost of the Ohio Canal by the Cuyahoga River was a 
little more than that by way of the Maumee. 

The Legislature authorized the Commissioners 4th February, 1H25, 
to begin work on the Miami-Maumee route betw-een the Mad River at 
Dayton and Cincinnati : and the 20th July contracts were let for the 
first twenty miles, work beginning the next day. Work on the Ohio 
Canal was previously in good progress between Cleveland and I^orts- 
mouth. The section of the Miami and Erie Canal from Cincinnati to 
Uayton was completed in January, 1829, but the locks connecting it 
with the Ohio River were built later. 

The 24th May, 1828, Congress granted to the State of Ohio to aid 
in extending the Miami Canal to Lake Erie by the Maumee River "a 
quantity of land equal to one-half of five Sections in width on each side 
of said canal between Dayton and the Maumee River at the mouth of 
the Auglaise [Defiance] so far as the same shall be located through 
the public land, and reserving each alternate Section, of land unsold, 
to the United States to be selected by the Commissioner of the General 
Land Office under the direction of the President of the United States; 
and which land so reserved to' the United States shall not be sold for 
less than $2.50 per acre." This Act, like all others for canals, required 
that the canal should always remain a public highway, free to the 
United States from tolls or other charges. Work was to begin within 
five years, and the canal was to be completed within tw-enty years from 



600 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

the date of the Act. At this same date Congress further granted to 
Ohio 500,000 acres of land to pay the debts of and to complete the 
canals — those commenced to be completed within seven years. The 
Ohio Legislature did not act for the extension of the Miami Canal un- 
til February, 1830, when the Commissioners w'ere authorized to ex- 
amine into the practicability of such canal. Their report was ren- 
dered favorably in January, 1831, and work was begun at Dayton in 
1832. The 2nd March, 1833, Congress extended the tinn' for its com- 
pletion another five years. 

Owing in part to the difficulties attending the Toledo War I ante 
page 572 ) against the claims of Michigan to her territory and the strife 
between Toledo and the villages of Perrysburg and Maumee for the 
ending of the Canal at the Lake level, contracts were not let on the 
northern end until May, 1837. The citizens of Perrysburg and Mau- 
mee desired the Canal to end there, at the foot of the rapids. Toledo 
made urgent claim to the terminus ; and residt- nts of Manhattan near 
the Maumee Bay desired that to be the place where connection with 
the river was made. Meantime the claim of Ohio to the Harris Line 
as the northern boundary of the State was sustained by Congress. The 
22nd August, 1836, the Canal Commissioners met at Perrysburg, and 
there the rival parties gathered the next day in great numbers and 
asserted their different claims with such warmth that each place was 
granted canal connection with the Mauinee. This decision was con- 
firmed by Governor Lucas at his visit to the several places the 11th 
November, 1836. 

Representative Jennings of Indiana reported a bill 23rd January, 
1823, from the Committee on Public Lands favorable to a canal, but it 
was not until May 26, 1824, that Congress authorized the State of 
Indiana to survey and mark through the Public Lands of the United 
States the route of a canal by which to connect the navigation of the 
rivers Wabash and the Miami of Lake Erie (Maumee); and ninety feet 
of land on each side of said canal was to be reserved from sale on the 
part of the United States, and the use thereof forever be vested in the 
State aforesaid for a canal, and for no other purpose whatever. The 
Act further provided that if not surveyed and map furnished within 
three years, and the canal not completed within twelve years, or if 
said land shall cease to be used and occupied for the purpose of con- 
structing and keeping in repair a canal suitable for navigation, the grant 
shall be void. The right of way being also granted by the Miami 
Aborigines by treaty in 1826 (see treaty ante) a Board of Canal Com- 
missioners was appointed in the winter of 1826-27, composed of David 
Burr of Jackson County, Indiana, Robert John of Franklin, and Samuel 
Hanna of Fort Wavne who became one of the most active and t- fficient 



JUNCTION OF THE OHIO AND INDIANA CANALS. 601 

nuiiibcTS.* Mr. llaiina made a journcv to New York b_v way o( tin- 
Maumtt' and Dttroii, Lake l'>ic and thi' Nfw York and Erie Canal, for 
till' ijurposc of i)urcliasin}.; a surveying; instrumi-nt; and fn- returned in 
<iuick time for such modes of travel. Tlie Indiana Let^islature also 
ajipropriated !*;.")()() to enable these Commissioners to determine the 
liracticability of an Erie and Wabash Canal. 

March 'Jnd, \X'27, Congress granted each alternate Section of land, 
and in i|uaiitil\ eiiual to one-half of five Sections in width on each side 
of said Canal to the State of Indiana to aid in constructinfi the Canal. 
This was the year previous to the grant to Ohio; and it is believed to 
be the first largi' grant tor the iiromotion of a public work, also the first 
grant of alternate Sections. + 

The magnitude of the work kept constantly unfoldin;; and increas- 
ing to its promulgators. It soon became evident to the engineer that a 
short canal to connect the head of the Maumee with Little River, as 
first contemplated, would not sufifice; that for an efficient canal with 
stable deptti of watei, it was neci'ssary to e.xtend an independent canal 
to and well down the Wabash, also northeastward to the Miami and 
Erie Canal near Defiance, not relying upon tlu' Maunue Hi\er at all 
above Defiance. The place of connection with the Miami and ICrie 
Canal being determined at a point named Junction, in Paulding Countv, 
Ohio, May 24, 1828, Congress authorized Indiana to sell and relinquish 
her land grants northeast of her State Line to Ohio. The east end of 
the Wabash Canal now becoming a joint work of the two States, W. 
Talmage was appointed Commissioner for Ohio and Jeremiah Sullivan 
for Indiana: but it was not until February 1, 1834, that Ohio — with her 
own different canal projects on hand, and the Michigan dispute comjili- 
cating the northirn terminus of the Miami and Erie Canal— fully 
decided on the conditions for giving the Wabash and Erie Canal, as a 
competitor, a connection with Lake Erie.+ 

Indiana was indemnified by other lands for those of the former 
grants disposed of by the United States in individual grants to Aborig- 
ines by treaties before their survey or determination. The Indiana 
Legislature organized a Board of Canal Fund Commissioners 31st 



* See Life and Character o; Samuel Hanna by G. W. Wood. Also Brice's History of Fort 
Wayne. 

1 Peter Huel Porter of Western New York advocated Congressional aid for this and other similar 
improvements. He introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives providing for a committee 
to examine into the expediency of appropriating a part of the Public Lands, or the proceeds thereof, to 
the purpose of opening and constructing such roads and canals as may be most conducive to the general 
interest of the Vnion.— Annals of Congress l.st)9, 1810, page 1401. See, also, report for 1808 of Albert 
Gallatin Secretary of the United States Treasury; and Donaldson's Public Domain, pages 2.57, 258. 

+ See House Journal of the i:uh Session, No. V^ [»age 14; Session Laws of 1829, 1830; Laws of Ohio 
1810, liHl. 



602 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



January, 1H;-!2, and after examination they reported the State Canal 
Fund as $-JlS,fir)l .00. * 

Jesse L. Williams of Fort Wayne was apyiointed Chief Engineer, 
and ground was formally broken February 22, 1832; and in the 
spring of 1884 the Feeder of the Wabash Canal was completed, ex- 
tending from Fort Wayne to the Feeder Dam across the River St. 
Joseph, a distance of about six miles. This Feeder was necessary to 
carry the boats over the summit a little southwest of Fort Wayne at an 

altitude of one hundred 
and ninety-seven feet 
above the mouth of the 
Maumee River and, also, 
to feed eastward to the Six 
Mile Reservoir in Pauld- 
ing County, Ohio. The 
4tli luly, 1834 'the entire 
p o 1 ) u 1 a t i o n ' of Fort 
Wayne went to this Dam 
on a hastily built boat for 
the purpose, and there a 
grand celebration of the 

C^ ^^^^^^i5i^BsB3l ^^^' ^^^ Canal was held. 

»i "^'- "V ' V - 1 • ~ " i^MM During the next year the 

Canal was completed to 
Huntington and the Fort 
Wayne people celebrated 
the event by a grand ex- 
cursion to that place. In 
1837 this Canal was com- 
pleted to Logansport; and four years later to Lafayette. The division 
between Fort Wa\'ne and the Ohio State Line was given to the con- 
tractors in the summer of 1837. 

On account of the sparse settlements in northwestern Ohio, and 
the scarcity of money, the Legislature of Ohio did not urge the com- 
pletion of the northern part of the Miami and Erie (3anal as did Indiana 
that of the Wabash. Becoming impatient the Legislature of Indiana 
enacted, 22nd January, 1840, a joint resolution "that it shall be the 
dutj' of the Chief Engineer to proceed immediately to the seat of gov- 
ernment of the State of Ohio, and in a respectful manner to urge upon 




The (former) Wabash Canal Feeder Dam Across the 
River St. Joseph six miles above Fort Wayne. This is the 
Highest Dam in the Maumee River Basin, the water here 
shown in lower stage falling fifteen feet upon the Apron. 
Looking north of east Uth July, 1902. The former Feeder 
Canal, begiiming just above this view, is now used by the Fort 
Wayne Electric Light and Power Company for water power. 



* This Canal Fund was to be gained from various sources, viz : From sale of the lands donated by 
the United States; from donations, grants, or other sums set apart for this purpose; from loans procured 
under authority of the State and predicated on the amount likely to be obtained from the sale of Canaj 
Lands ; and from Canal Tolls, and Rents received for the use of all privileges created by the construction. 
See Session Laws of Indiana, 1831, 1832, Chapter I, Sections 2 and i; Chapter CVIII, page 113. 



DELAYS IN NORTHWEST PART OF OHIO CANALS. 605 

the consicifnitimi ol tli< nu thIm is ul llu- Lrtiishitun- o( thai Stat<- tlu' 
necessity ol spicily com|>l<tii)n ul tin W.ihash and luic Canal Iroiii llu- 
Indiana Statt' line to thr Maunu'c Hay, in com]>liance with the- com- 
l)acts hoiftoton- niadi' Intwinn thf two Stati's in n-lation tlurcto." This 
joint ri.solutii>n, with a Ullii of tin Indiana Chief ICnjjinoL-r settinfj 
forth thf ut>;cnt iiasons lor tlu- early ronii)l(.tion of this Canal, were 
duly transniittid to thi- Ohio Legislature Jaiuiarv Hist, 1H4(). 

Contracts (or the making; ol this Canal had been awarded li\- ttu' 
Ohio authorities as follows : from the mouth of the Maumet' Hiver at 
Manhattan to tln' Grand Rapids, at the Villay;e of Maurmi- in the spring 
of IMST: and at Dtfianci- li.'ith October, IHHT, lioni the(iiand Rapids to 
the Indiana State Line. The contractors ^fathered about two thousand 
laborers and bei;an tluir payment in Michij^an 'Wild Cat' bills that 
thc\ hatl liorrowed. Then came the financial panic of J^Jiy. in Mav, 
\>^'.>f^, tile contractors had troulde with tlu laborers on account ol non- 
])aymint of them for live months. llu- dillicultv was comiiromised, 
howi-vi-r, in nian\- cases b\- orders on stores and dur-bills; and lull 
payment ol thesi- oblijiations in ^ood mone\ was made in June. These 
contractors from the comnienct-ment labored under difliculties to an 
extent that no otiier work in the State lias been subjected, reads tlu- 
Annual Report of the Board of Public Works December 80th, 1H39. The 
hifili price of jirovisions which were necessarily brought from lon^ dis- 
tances ; the conse(|uent hi^h i)rice of labor, and sevi-re sickness whicii 
drove the men out of the valley during the summers, were the reasons 
assigned. The rejiort of January \'2, 1H41, states tliat the iirosi^ect of 
olitainint; money for comiiletini; tlu' work was so doubtlul that con- 
tractors were advised of the fact at the close of 1889, and were recom- 
mended to use their own discretion and consult their own convenience 
in iirosecutin.i; tlu- jobs : conse<|uentl\' not much work was performed 
durinsi the first tlin,-c- months of \>^\0. After the 1st Aiiril, however, 
work (jro^ressed better than in l.s'U) on account of then.' beinj; less 
sickness. P'rom Defiance to the State Line-, the want ol projier material 
(stone) rendered it necessary to build the locks of wood. The locks 
north of the summit to the Wabash and ICrie Canal were also built of 
wood. South ol the Summit Levi.1 and below Detianci- tlie locks were 
all built ol cut stone. In June, 1H4'2, the Canal was opt-ned tor traffic 
from Toledo to the Grand Rapids. The Annual Report of the Board of 
Public Works Januar\- 2, 1^18, reads that tlu whole of this work is now 
so far completid as to admit the water when the proper season for usini;' 
the same shall arrive, and nothing but unforeseen accidents will from 
this time lorward iireveiil, at all proiKi seasons of the year, an uniiUi-r- 
rupted navi.tjation. For the last fifteen months there iias not bet-n paid 
one dollar in money t,i th • ontractors on this Canal, and the amount 



604 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



now due is equal to $500,000. Almost the whole resources and credit 
of that portion of the State in the vicinity of this work have been used 
up and invested in the conslrnction of the same.' Indiana was in the 
same condition, but not to such det;ree as Ohio. Various promises to 




INTERIOR VIEW OF EMPTY CANAL LOCK NO. 2. DEFIANCE. OHIO 

The Levers of Lock No. 1. and the Mauniee River, show under the First Street Bridge. Looking north 

19th November. 1902. 

pay, both public and private, were in general circulation with depreci- 
ated values ; and many had to be renewed from wear before their 
redemption occurred.* Some of these were finally replaced by the 
semblance of bank notes issued from certificates of the Chief Engineer 
and in smaller denominations for convenience of circulation. 

The Canals were opened to traffic from Toledo through Fort Wayne 
May 8, 1843. The first boat to pass to Lafayette was the Albert S. 
White, Captain Cyrus Belden, of Toledo. She was greeted along the 
way with great joy, the larger towns giving the Captain and crew 
public receptions. The first packet or lighter boat fitted for passengers, 
soon followed under Captain William Dale. 



* A white-paper scrip issued by the State and based on the Canal Lands east of Lafayette became 
generally and jocularly known as White Dog ; and colored scrip issued on the Canal Lands west of 
Lafayette were called Blue Dog; while fractional currency issued on this foundation was known as 
Blue Pup. 



COMPLETION OF MIAMI AND ERIE CANAL. 



605 



l'"orl W'ayiU' advertised a jjrand Canal-oiicnint; Cili-hration (or the 
till luly, lH4i5 ; and representatives were [(resent from Toledo, Lafay- 
< iti . Detroit, Cleveland, and interveninj^ places. General Lewis Cass 
delivered the ])rincipal address to this the largest civil meeting held at 
Fort Wayne up to that date. 

There was delay in the construction of the Miami and Erie Canal 
throuuh the dinse forest south of Junction, Paulding Countv, Ohio, 
ten and a hall miles west of south of Defiance, and the ])oint where the 
Wabash afid l'>ie Canal connerti.d with thi- Miami and lirie : and the 
first boat from Cincinnati did not arrive at Toli'do until June 27, IH45. 
This \ear the United States Government made first use of this Canal in 
the transportation of soldiers from Tok-do and ports southward to 
Cincinnati on their way to the Mexican War. The soldiers from 
Detroit, southern Michis.;an, and northwestirn Ohio, were taken this 
way, the commissioned officers being carried on packets and the non- 
commissioned officers and privates on freight boats. Until the year 
1856 these Canals were recognized as part of the great national militar\- 
highway between New York City and New Orleans.'' 

These Canals now came into full use as the cheapest, easiest and 
safest mode of communication and transportation devised up to this 
date. They soon developed into great thoroughfares which exceeded 
the fondest hopes of their promulgators, not only for freight t of all 
kinds to and from the rapidly developing country for many miles on 
each side of their lines, but for passengers — business men eastward 
bound to purchase goods, and immigrants of all classes from farmers 
to clear homes in the wilderness to men and women learned in the 
schools of the East for teachers and the professions. New faces, new 
activities, and new developments of all kinds were seen in every direc- 
tion. Many of the laborers w^ho were attracted in thousands from the 
older States by the good wages paid during the making of the Canals, 
remained along the lines or bought lands on which thev settled with 



V 



'■'' See Executive Document 1st Session 28th Congress, vol. iv. No. 134. 

t The value of the produce transported to Toledo by the Canal duriny the season of 1846 exceeded 
$3.lX)0.000; and the value of the cargoes sent from Toledo during this season was estimated at $5.i)0<).000. 
The relative receipts of grain at Toledo for three years before the completion of the Canal, and two 
years afterward, are shown as follows: 



Year 


Wheat, Bushels 


Flour, Barrels 


Corn. Bushels 


IMO 
1841 
1812 
1816 
1851 


8o,«X1 

13T,h9S 

116,730 

.SlO.flti'i 

1,6:)9.744 


51 .(XXI 
45.T81 
37.38(1 
164.689 
342.677 


r.iVglai.i 

2.775.149 



Andrews' Report on Colonial and Lake Trade, paye 56 et sequentia. 



606 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



their families to add to the general thrift. Children and g'randchildren 
of many of these people are yet among the prosperous citizens of 
every important town along the lines and in the country adjacent. 

The flow of water from boats passing through the locks afforded 
power at lower levels to numerous sawing, flouring, and other mills 




SIX CANAL BOATS AND LARGE RAFT OF LOGS IN THE MAUMEE RU'ER. DEFIANCE, OHIO 

Awaiting lockage southward, the boat in the right foreground entering the first lock. Looking northeast 
under Clinton Street Bridge in August, 19tX>. 

which were necessary factors to the subsistence of the increasing popu- 
lation, the clearing of the forest, and to the revenues of the States 
from water rentals and general taxes. 

Packet boats became quite numerous, some of which came from 
the New York and Erie Canal. The better class of them were well 
fitted for the convenience of passengers. The sleeping berths for the 
first class passengers were ranged on each side of the upper cabin 
generally in two rows one above the other but occasionally in three 
rows, and some were made to shut up or swing out of way by day. 
Hammocks and cots were provided for the overplus passengers, and 
many would sleep on the deck. The dining room was below, generally 
midboat but sometimes forward, and the food was generally good. 
These boats carried express freight, and some of them carried 
the United States Mail. They were drawn by two to six horses 
according to the size of the boat and the load ; and they were gener- 



PASSENGER AND FREIGHT BOATS AND THEIR SPEEDS. 607 

all\ l<r])t on a trot bv the drivir who rode the saddle (left rear; horse, 
attainitifi a i)ace of from six to eif,'ht miles an hour. Relays of horses 
were sometimes carried in a narrow stable in the central jiart of the 
packet as on frei^fht boats ; but generally the packet relays were 
stationed at convenient ])orts. Tiicse boats were considered a rapid 
and comfortable mode of travelinjj. The journey from Toledo to 
Lafayette, about 1^42 miles, w^as advertised to be made in fifty-six hours.* 
June 28, 1847, the jjacket Empire Captain Wi^uin, left Dayton and 
arrived at Toledo the morninf^ of th(; ;jUth, the distance beinf^ 180 
miles. .\monK the i>assenKers were Governor William Hebb, ex- 
Governor Thomas Corwin, Robert C. Schenck, John G. Lowe, 11. G. 
IMiillips, j. Wilson Williams, lidmund Smith, Edward W. Davis, and 
A. II. Dunkvy, who exjjressed in a card i)ublished in the Toledo Blade 
jjreat ai)preciation of the comforts and accommodations furnished to 
them on the boat. The rate of fare was generally three cents a mile 
on the packets, and two and a half cents on the freight boats which 
also accommodated many iiassengers. For the longer distances meals 
and lodgings were included in these rates. Thirty-five to forty i)as- 
sengers were considered a good load, but double these numbers would 
not be turned away. There was competition lietween all the boats for 
speed ; and in the meeting and passing of boats of all kinds, the rules 
for position of horses, towlines, and of precedence of jjackets over 
freighters, must needs be closely observed or a strife of words, and 
sometimes of blows, resulted. The greatest stress occurred at the 
wharves, and at the locks particularly, where the slightest unnecessary 
detention was (juickly resented. The writer has been many . times 
called by messenger from a lock in Defiance, to meet a boat as it 
approached another lock, to examine and prescribe for a sick member 
of the crew while the boat was being raised, or lowered, in the lock : 
and he always received courteous treatment from the boatmen — he 
being always alert not to unnecessarily detain the boat. 

The time required between Toledo and Cincinnati was reduced to 
four days and five nights. This was considered good time. It in- 
cluded the numerous stops for passengers and freight, the latter often 
requiring considerable time to load and unload, and the time passed at 
the numerous locks which averaged one about every hour and ten 
minutes, with frequent delays on account of the precedence of other 
boats. The average speeds on the navigable waters were then esti- 
mated as follows : On the lake six miles an hour ; on the canals four 
miles ; on river or other slackwater, six ; on the- Ohio River, upstream 
five miles and downstream seven miles an hour. Time consumed in 
lockage one minute per foot depth of water. 



*Fort Wayne Times and People's Press October 31. 1847 



608 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The largest boat on the Canals for a long time was the Harry of 
the West which was brought through Lake Erie from the New York 
and Erie Canal in 1844 by Caiitain Edwin Avery. The first steam 
canal boat, the Niagara, was built in 1845 at a cost of about $10,000 
for Samuel Doyle, but could not successfully compete with those of 
horse power. Another steamer, the Scarecrow, was more successful. 
She made her first run from Toledo in November, 1859, with a load of 
lumber for Franklin. She had a small portable engine with fly-wheel 
carrying a belt to a pulley on the propeller wheel shaft. Steam was 
used for propelling a few other boats, but objections were raised to 
their use on account of the commotion of the water to the detriment of 
the canal banks, and to other boats. May 25th, 1862, the Canal Pro- 
peller Union, Captain William Sabin, arrived at Toledo from Lafayette 
containing a cargo of 1750 bushels of wheat, and having in tow a boat 
containing 2050 bushels of grain, 20 barrels pork, and two casks of 
hams, the total being 115 tons weight. The distance of 204 miles was 
run in 5 days 3^ hours. 

It was not unusual at this time for the boats to accumulate in 
Toledo to the number of fifty to sixty, unloading and reloading at the 
wharves and grain elevators, or awaiting their turn. Corn was at first 
carried for eight cents per bushel medium distance, and a little more 
was charged for wheat. These prices were profitable to the boatmen ; 
but later prices varied according to the quantity of freight and the 
competition, and but few owners of boats made constant large or even 
good profits. The Miami and Erie Canal and that part of the Wabash 
and Erie from Junction to Fort Wayne, were in better favor with boat- 
men than that along the Wabash River on account of the larger size of 
the former and the want of a uniformly good depth of water along the 
Wabash. 

The completion of the Canals marked the beginning of the active 
era of clearing the forest and in developing the great agricultural wealth 
of the Maumee River Basin. Logs, shiptimber (see ante page 541) 
lumber cut by power from canal-water, and firewood, were taken to 
market on the Canal by rafts as well as in boats. Between the years 
1861-64 Graft, Bennett and Company I or Evans, Rogers and Company?) 
of Pittsburg, established on the north bank of the W'abash and Erie 
Canal in Crane Township, Paulding County, Ohio, one mile and a half 
south of the present Cecil, a Catalan Bloomery and Forge for the 
reduction of iron ore by the direct process. Cobb, Bradley and Com- 
pany of Cleveland also established a like furnace in 1862-63, eight 
miles further west and adjoining the Village of Antwerp on the east. 
These furnaces were near the center of the comparatively unbroken 
forest. Land was very cheap, and the timber was yet looked upon as 



IRON FURNACES BY THE WABASH AND ERIE CANAL. 609 

a dclrimcnl ti) l>r ui'ttin rid of as easily as possible by the settlers. 
Six acres of land wen- donated by George M'Cormick to the first named 
company whicli iiroctidcd to construct thert-on from twenty-three to 
thirty beehive-shaped charcDal kilns of lirirl<, i)lastered withoiit, each 

n 



.-■^^M 





-<-i*»>-- 




THE CHARCOAL lU'RNKRS AND IRON FURNACE 

By the Wabasli and Erie Canal near the present Cecil. PaiildinK County. Ohio. From photograph sketched 
in Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio. Copyright 1888 by Henry Howe. 

fifteen feet in diameter and the same in height. Kach of these kilns 
was capable of furnishing forty-five to fifty bushels of charcoal from 
everv cord of wood after four days burning. A furnace of seven fires 
and a forjie were built close to the Canal. The charcoal kilns at 
Antwerp were not so numerous nor the furnace so large. These 
industries were instrumintal in clearing many farms and in distributing 
much money for wood and labor. The Cecil furnace employed as many 
as 250 choppers and sawyers at one time. As many as 120 cords of 
long wood were used per day in making 4o tons of iron.* The great 
trip-hammer of this furnace gave out a sound that reverberated through 
the forest for man\- miles. The iron ore was brought from Lake 
Superior mines by lake vessels to Toledo and there given to the canal- 
boats. The reduced iron was taken by boats part to Cleveland by 
way of Toledo, and part to Pittsburg by way of Cincinnati and the 
Ohio River. 

The .'\ntwer]) furnace declined in the earl\ iSSO's with the .Antwerp 
section of the Wabash and Erie Canal. The company owning, or 



* Some estimates give the requirement of three tons of iron ore and two and a half to three tons 
of charcoal to produce one ton of bar iron. The wood for trip-hammer power is included in this estimate. 



610 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

operatin;^, the furnace near Cecil favored the buildinjj of the Cincinnati, 
Van Wert and Michigan Railroad, now called the Cincinnati Northirn, 
which passed bv the furnace, as an additional helj) for the sup])ly of wood 
which was becoming scarce in the vicinity of the furnace. After the 
destruction of the Six Mile Reservoir (see the following few pages) 
just above in 1888, and their being necessitated thereby to the use of 
the railroad only for all shipments, they dismantled the volant and 
abandoned the region. 

The locks connecting the Miami and Erie Canal with the Ohio 
River at Cincinnati for the distance of .62 of a mile were abandoned by 
Act. of the Legislature 24th March, 1863. The two locks connecting 
with the mouth of the Maumee River at Manhattan were abandoned by 
Act of 26th March, 1864 : and this Manhattan extension in Toledo with 
the aqueduct over Sw-an Creek amounting to 8.7.T miles was abandoned 
by Act 31st January, 1<^71. On or about the 26th March, 1864, the 
locks to the Maumee River at the Village of Maumee were also aban- 
doned ; thus, since this date the only canal connection with the lower 
Maumee River has been through Swan Creek at Toledo. 

The Legislature of Indiana abandoned the Wabash and Erie Canal 
southwest of Fort Wayne previous to the year 1870. A dam was made 
across the canal prism in the City of Fort Wayne and boats continued 
to run from this city to and through the Miami and Erie Canal for six 
or eight years, when the State of Indiana wholly abandoned the Canal. 
The dam across the River St. Joseph and the Feeder Canal from it were 
sold to the Fort Wayne Power Company which now uses the water for 
electric lighting and other power. The State of Ohio built a dam 
across the canal prism near the Indiana line and continued the use of 
the Canal with water supplied by the Six-Mile Reservoir (see map ante 
page 450) of 2000 or more acres situated just east of Antwerp. This 
Reservoir received its name from it occupying the valley of, and receiv- 
ing its supplv from. Six Mile Creek which has its source in Indiana and 
debouches into the Auglaise River six miles from its mouth at Defiance, 
hence the name of the creek. The dam, dikes and bulkhead of this 
Reservoir, like all the wood locks above Junction, were neglected and 
the waters remained low. The farmers around the Reservoir united 
their influence with those who desired the land under the water, and an 
effort was made to induce the Legislature to enact its abandonment. 
The friends of the canals rallied, and the bill was defeated. Conspiracy 
and malicious destruction of State property followed. About two 
hundred men, residents of the vicinity of the Reservoir and their friends, 
assembled in the night of April 25th, 1888, captured the guards who 
had been kejit on duty since a malicious attempt to drain the Reservoir 
a few weeks before, and with dynamite destroyed the two nearest locks 



THE CANALS ANTAGONIZED AND DEFENDED. 611 

;m(l Ih. hulkliriul, tlun cut tin, diki.-s, tluis coinijk-ti-ly disabling the 
iriiiainiiii; i)aH ol lli>- Wabash and Eric Canal to the lock within a miiu 
ol tin- Miami and I'Lric- Canal at Junction. Governor Foraker at onct 
issu(.d a proclamation orderin;; all disorderly iiersons to disperse ; and 
ordered General Axline to at onci proceed to the scene of destruction 
with several ei)mi)anies ol the Ohio National Guard to protect the State 
IMoix-rty. Promjit resi)()nse was made' and the amati'ur soldiers, a 
Toll do cunipaiix amonu tile number, were soon on Kuard. Of course 
neithiT i minx nor disorderly jierson could be found and, after a few 
days of Ku^ir'l servic r, the soldiers were ordered to tht-ir homes. Hy 
Legislative Acts ot llith April, 1888, and ;kd March, iHiU, the Ohio 
Section of the Wabash and Erie Canal from the State Line to the first 
lock about one mile above Junction, seventeen miles in extent, was 
declared abandoned, tojjether with the Six Mile Reservoir. This, with 
different. side cuts, made a total of 3tl.l2 miles abandoned, leaving, as 
exists at jiresent, 262.82 miles of Miami and Erie Canal in operation. 

With the increase and competition of railroads, the business of the 
canals declined, first in grain and other of the more valuable freight. 
Opposition to the canals increased, it being led by their comi)etitors or 
those who desired their right of way for individual or company uses. 
These factors were so strong in lUtil as to induce the Legislature to 
lease the canals for seventeen years to private companies. During 
this period their business still further declined, and as little attention 
was given to rejiairs as possible to avoid. When returned to the State 
in 1H7S their 'condition was deplorable' and they have since been 
re|>airid, niaintaiiietl and operated, at an annual expense to the State 
ol trom $r),000 to $4(1,000. Yet parts of the Canal system has continued 
to pav very' good tolls notwithstanding their poor management and 
condition.* 

The enemies of the canals have been for fiftj' years, and yet are, 
active in their opposition ; but there have been, and yet are, friends to 
these internal waterways who have thus far defeated the many attempts 
to abandon the main lines of the Miami and Erie and the Ohio Canal 
systems. The friends have done more. They have secured two sur- 
veys of these lines, and of the suggested Sandusk\--Scioto route, bj' 
United States Engineers for their prospective enlargement to barge 



* The Collector reported the business done by the Miami and Erie Canal at the Port of Defiance 
diirini; the summer ot IH99, as follows: Received, S<13 barrels Lime and Cement; 104.S barrels Salt; 
7tX) bushels Coke; 101.201 pounds Dauuaue and Furniture; 3,020 pounds Crockery; 72.5,931 pounds Iron; 
971,428 pounds Merchandise: 3,796 empty Barrels; 6,491 Hoop Poles: 733,948 Lath: 9,947 Railway Ties: 
47,31X1 Shiniiles; ,"),423.(XX1 feet Lumber: 4,031 perches Stone: 7,240 cords Boh Timber: 9,328 cords Fire- 
wooif. Shipped, .5:12,418 pounds Merchandise; 248,933 bushels Buildine Sand; 791.000 Brick: 3,328 
Hoop Poles; 4,llX)Lath: 70,IXK) Staves and He'adinc; 8,546,748 feet Lumber; 697,423 feet Timber ; ,5,127 
cords Firewood: I.''03 b.-rrels Ale --d Beer: 209 bushels Potatoes: 1.6:^1 bushels Corn: 921 bushels 
Flaxseed; 48,tHXI bushels Oats; I.IKIO bushels Rye ; 39,(KX) bushels Wheat; 873,947 pounds Iron. 



6/2 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

canals.* In this connection more details of the Miami and Erie Canal 
through this Basin will be here given with a few items of the prospec- 
tive enlargement in comparison : 

From the lower miter-sill of the outlet lock at Manhattanvillc, 
mouth of the Maumee River, to the head of the Toledo side-cut into 
Swan Creek a distance of five miles, there was an elevation of fifteen 
feet which was overcome by two locks near the river. This Manhattan 
extension was declared abandoned by the State by Acts of 26th March, 
1864, and 31st January, 1871, as before mentioned. The course of this 
abandoned canal is now occupied in its northern part by the Wheeling 
and Lake Erie Railway to Cherry Street, Toledo, thence the course 
turns nearly south, crossing Oak Street at Allen, crossing Adams be- 
tween Ontario and Michigan, Madison at Ontario, Jefferson a little 
nearer Ontario than Erie, Monroe nearer Erie, Washington at Erie, 
thence turning westward to cross Lafayette at Ontario, thence south- 
ward crossing Nebraska Avenue just west of Thirteenth Street, and 
Swan Creek just east of Wyandot Street. 

Since the abandonment of the Manhattan extension, the connec- 
tion with the lower Maumee has been through the Toledo side-cut 
which drops fifteen feet into Swan Creek by two locks. From the head 
of the Toledo side-cut, one mile from its entrance into Swan Creek, the 
Canal ascends forty-eight feet, to the Village of Maumee a distance of 
eight and five-sixths miles, by six locks to No. 9 of the present list. 
Here there was formerlj' a side cut to the Maumee River with fall of 
sixty-three feet by six locks. This side-cut was abandoned about forty 
years ago. The size of these locks is ninety feet in length and fifteen 
feet in width. The dimensions of the Canal are various. Between 
Toledo and Junction, ten and one half miles southwest of Defiance and 
sixty-nine miles in all, the prism is sixty feet wide at the water's surface, 
forty-six feet wide at the bottom, and six feet deep, being the largest 
on account of the greatest traffic. The Section from Junction to Dayton 
is 50 X 36 X 5 feet in size, and that from Dayton to Cincinnati 40 x 26 
X 4 feet which last named dimension is the same as that of the Ohio 
Canal. All sections embrace expansions at the ports and necessary 
intermediate points for turning the boats when desired. 

The surveys for the prospective enlargement provide for the 
Canal's northern beginning eight and seven-tenths miles above the 
mouth of the Maumee River, at the debouching of Delaware Creek, bv 
twin locks two hundred feet long by twenty-six feet wide, and for 
water in the Canal ten feet deep. 



* See U. S. Senate Executive Document No. .55. 46th Congress. 3rd Session. 25th February, 1881. 
Also House of Representatives Document No. 378, 54th Congress 1st Session. 4th March, 1896. These 
printed reports of surveys for enlargement, have been consulted for many of the details of this Chapter; 
and they contain much more of interesting and valuable information. 



PROFILE OF THE MIAMI AND ERIE CANAL. 



615 



The present Canal from the head of the former Maumee Village 
side-cut, at Lock No. 9, to the head of the Grand Kapids is fifteen and 
a half miks without lock. ,\t Grand Rapids is the first Maumee River 
State Dam, or rather two IJams ()()1 and 1700 feet in length, with 




MIAMI AMI l;l<Il-: CA.NAl. AM' ulllU STATE UAM 
Across Maumee River, four and a half miles east of Detiance. Looking southwest 12th April. 19C)1. 

island intirvening, and five and a half feet in height. Here is a Guard 
Lock, No. K), to protect the Canal against high water, and above this 
Guard Lock boats run in the river slackwater nearly one mile. Leaving 
the Maumee, the Canal ascends twenty-three feet bv three locks to No. 
13, to the Defiance Level. At the northeast part of this level there is a 
Guard Lock, No. 14, it being the last of this series of stone locks; and 
here is the second and last dam across the Maumee River for Canal use. 
It is 763 feet long and was rebuilt in lUOl to the height of ten and a 
half feet. Entering the Maumee through the Guard Lock the boats 
continue up the slackwater four and a half miles to the City of Defiance 
where the horses cross the Maumee on the State Bridge rebuilt of iron 
about 1881. Here the Canal leaves the right bank of the river in a 
southerly course and ascends fifty-seven feet in four and one-half 
miles by seven locks, to No. 21. Six of these locks are within the 
City of Defiance, four near the river, the fifth being one mile and the 
sixth one and three-fourths mile distant. In the days of lesser require- 
ments these locks afforded abundant power for the mills built by their 
side. These are the first of the wood locks which prevail southward 
across the Basin on account of the difficulty of transporting stone at 
the time of their building, and the abundance and cheapness of lumber 
close at hand. From Junction to the Indiana State Line, a distance of 
eighteen and a half miles, the former Wabash and Erie Canal ascended 
twenty-eight and a half feet by three locks, to an altitude above the 
mouth of the Maumee of 176^2 feet ; and by tv.o other locks beyond 



614 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

Fort Wayne boats were carried over the Summit at an altitude of 197 
feet. Tfie iirofile of the Miami and Erie Canal from Junction to the 
tvventv-three miles Summit Live! south liom New Bremen is given in 
the Ohio Geological Survey, \'i>lume onv paj^e 1)72, as embracing thirty- 




ENTRANCE OF MIAMI AND ERIE CANAL INTO THE MAl'MEE RIVER AT DEFIANCE, OHIO 

The State Canal Bridge on the right; St. John Roman Catholic Church beyond; City Hall near 
center; Court House on left with spire of St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church between its tower 
and chimneys. Looking south Ilth April, 1901. 

two locks which raise the Canal from a level of 147.25 feet at Junction, 
above the mouth of the Maumee, to 386.50 at New Bremen. The 
number of locks and altitudes from Junction between the more imiiort- 
ant towns are, to Delphos ten locks 63.75 feet rise: Spencerville eight 
locks 63 feet: to St. Marys two locks 17.25 feet ; and to New Bremen 
the Summit Level twelve locks 95.25 feet or to a total of 386.50 feet 
above Lake Erie. ' 

The Summit Level is fully supplied with water from the 
Loramie Reservoir produced by a dam across Loramie Creek near 
Minster. This Reservoir is seven miles long, narrow in its ujjper part 
and about two and a half miles wide at its lower part. It covers 
about 1800 acres. The Lewistown Reservoir supplies the Canal south- 
ward. The principal supply of water, however, for the Miami and 



* There is variance between different surveys. An Auglaise County Surveyor has recorded the 
altitudes higher than those given by the Canal surveyors; and the records of the railways, and of the 
Ohio State Geological Survey, vary several feet between the others. 



GRAND RESERVOIR FOR MIAMI AND ERIE CANAL. 615 



]\vif Canal from St. M;u\s to tin Maiimti.- Hivir at Difianct' is derived 
liDm the (iraiul Reservoir produced bv a dam about four miles lonK, 
and from Wn to twenty-five feet higfi, south from Celina. Mercer 
County, across the Valley of lYia Heaver Creek, a tributary of the 




VILLAGE OF NEW HREMEN. OHIO 

Showinc the North End of the Twenty-three Mile Summit LeveJ of the Miami and Erie Canal on the 
Summit of the Salamonie Moraine — see Map an(e page 28. Lookinc north .10th April, 1902. First Lock 
northward in tlie foretirouiid, toward the Wabash Moraine. 

Wabash River. This Reservoir is about nine miles lon^ and from two 
to four miles wide, the upper or east end having a retaining wall about 
two miles long. The Canal Feeder Outlet is at the south line of the 
City of St. Marys. Thus by the Loramie Reservoir much water that 
formerly passed southward into the Miami River of the Mississippi 
River Basin is diverted northward through the Maumee River Basin to 
the Basin of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence ; and yet far more 
water is diverted this way from the Wabash by the Grand Reservoir. 

Samuel Fdrrer Canal Commissioner employed an engineer named 
Mitchell in 1830 to run the first survey for this Grand Reservoir. In 
1837 there was another survey by Messrs. Barney and Forrer, encom- 
passing about 1H,000 acres. Settlers had located in the upper Beaver 
Creek Basin, among them being Joseph and Thomas Coate, and families 
named Large, Mellinger, and Hugh Miller, on the south side; and 
families Bradlev, Crockett, Sundav, Judge Linzee, Hollingsworth, 
Nichols, Gibson, Hull, Kampf, Pratt, and Reverend .\sa Stearns, on 



616 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



the north side. The Legislature had unanimously passed an Act, 
introduced by Justin Hamilton ot Mercer County, providing that no 
water should be accumulated in the Reservoir before the owners of 
farms were paid for tin ir land, nor before the land was cleared of trees. 




THE VILL.AGE OF CELIN.^. OHIO. AND THE WEST END OF THE GRAND RESERVOIR 
Looking west of south from Tower of the Town Hal! 29tli April. 19C»2. 

There was also an appropriation of money from which to pay for the 
land and the work ; but it was either not sufficient for this purpose or 
was misapplied. Work was begun in 1837 and the west wall or dam 
was completed in 1843. When the lowest gap was closed the water 
rose and submerged thirty-four acres of wheat belonging to Mr. Sunday, 
and slowly covered all of his farm but one acre ; also the whole of 
Thomas Coates' farm ; sixty acres belonging to Judge Holt of Dayton; 
nineteen acres of Judge Linzee's land ; nearly forty acres of Abraham 
Pratt's, and nearly all of Mr. Mellinger's land. The contractors com- 
plied with the requirements only in part regarding the clearing of the 
land. ,Many of the trees were left untouched, and others were only 
girdled. The accumulation of water was slow, the evaporation was 
great, and the great sufferings of the people from malaria were 
attributed by them to the water ; also farms were being flooded that 
had not been paid for. Disaffection spread among the neighbors in 
and around the Reservoir limits, and led to their gathering and cutting 
the dam. Many of the generally law-abiding citizens aided in this 
work. The Grand Jury of Mercer County declined to indict any one 
charged with this misdemeanor. Arrests were made, but no convictions 



OPPOSITION TO CANALS. THEIR COST AND EARNINGS. 617 

could bf obtaiiKcl !)>■ tin- State-. The proper officers of the State then 
paid lor all the lands to lir sulmurjjed, restricted the Resesvoir by an 
east wall, and repaired the dam at an e.\i>ense of several thousand 
dollars. In Aujjust, IIKU, some malicious i)ersons, who had been 
irritated bv the hif;ii waters ot the previous sjjrin^ and the threatenint; 
wavis of the Reservoir, or seeking reven>ie on some pirsons who would 
be injured by flood, atti'mpted to destroy the outer bulkhead near St. 
Marvs bv dynamite. I'ortunately this crime was not productive of 
much harm ; and the State authorities acted promptly in repairing the 
damage and in placing guards for the protection of the walls. 

This Mercer County, or Grand, Reservoir lias been called the 
largest of artificial lakes. It covers about twenty-seven squari' miles, 
or seventeen thousand acres. It is rt'sorted to every year by fishermen 
horn long distances, its stock of fish having been generally variid and 
abundant. The beauty of the Reservoir is yet much marred liy tile 
trunks of trees protruding above the water, charred and distorted by 
their having been hretl to light tlie lishernun at night, or by others who 
desired to destroy them during low stages of water in dry seasons. 
Petroleum abounds under as well as around it, and many productive 
wells have been drilled from anchond tiatboats — see ante i)age 17. 

The length of the Canal-navigation year has generally been supjiosed 
to be about 275 days : liut some years it is longer. During the winter 
of 1899-1900 boating was doni- in ivery month, but not continuously. 

The original cost of the Canals of Ohio was SIT), 91)7,052. 159 — that \/ 

of the Miami and Erie being $8,002,()HO.HO and the Ohio (eastern lines) 
$7,904,971.89 — and their estimated present values are near the same 
amounts. A Columbus correspondent of the Toledo Blade 15th Feb- 
ruary, 190'J, under the heading Canals have been a Great Burden, gives 
the expenditures and receipts of the Canals of Ohio each year from 1827 
to 1900, inclusive. The total receipts are $16,671,229.81 and total 
expenses $11,447,551.06. The excess of receipts over expenditures 
came i)rior to the decline of the canals from railroad comintition. W. 
P. Craighill, Brigadier General and Chief of Engineers, in his report 
27th February, 1896, of the last United States Survey of these Canals 
with view to their enlargement, states that under existing conditions 
the Canals do not return in tolls the cost of maintenance and arc a 
burden to the State, and will continue to be a burden to any owner 
unless increased materially in carrying and earning cajiacity. Of the 
three routes surveved, he says the great advantages of the western route 
[Miami and Erie] are its superior water supply, its important terminal 
points [Toledo and Cincinnati] and the magnitude of its local traffic. 
Its principal drawbacks are its length, lockage, and original cost.* 



House of Representatives 54th Congress, Isl Session. Document No. 27M. page 67, 



618 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

A Miami and Erie Canal Transportation Company composed 
largely of Cleveland men, secured of the Ohio Legislature in 1901 the 
right to construct and operate an electric railway along the towpath of 
this Canal for towing boats. A short section of this line was put into 
operation at Hamilton, Ohio, 4th April, 1902, to aid in further con- 
struction. Six boats in line were laden with material and were 
satisfactorily drawn five miles to the other end of the completed section. 
If completed the entire length of the Canal this new motive power 
(which is now suspicioned by the friends of the Canal as the beginning 
of the usurpation of the entire canal-way by railway interests) should 
greatly increase the carrying capacity, not alone from the towing of 
boats in fleets, but also in lessening the running time on the levels. 
Heretofore the time required for a freight boat from the mouth of the 
Detroit River to Cincinnati has been 80.90 hours. Propulsion of boats 
bv gasoline engines, and by steam power, has also been under renewed 
discussion. Anotht'r evidence of renewed interest and life in this 
important waterway, is the building in 1903 of a steel aqueduct over the 
River St. Mary, and aqueducts over smaller streams northward. 

Following the introduction of steam, and later power to pleasure 
boats, there have been seen on this Canal such boats from New York 
Citv and intermediate points, on their runs to and from the Mississippi 
and its various tributaries. This transit has lessened somewhat since 
the abandonment of the connection with the Ohio River at Cincinnati. 
But hunting and fishing parties bound for the Grand Reservoir, and 
pleasure parties occasionally of both men and women yet make excur- 
sions by boats along the Canal. 

Speculation was rife with many of the early settlers in the Maumee 
region ; and frequenth' manv promoters abounded for a time who did 
not desire to remain. Speculators in town lots, and in land, predomin- 
ated, particularly during the survey and making of the Canals, and in 
this as in general, but few of the speculators won. Between the foot of 
the lowest rapids and the mouth of the Maumee River, a distance of 
about fifteen miles, fifteen village plats were made : Perrysburg of 1816 
and Maumee of 1817 remain, the last including Miami of 1810. Port 
Lawrence of 1817 and Vistula of 1832 united in 1833 as the nucleus of 
Toledo which, later, absorbed Manhattan of 1834-37 at the mouth of 
the river on the left bank, with Presqu'ile opposite, Oregon of 1834-37 
and Lucas City above. Austerlitz of 1834-37 six miles above the 
mouth of the Maumee, Marengo of 1834-37 nine miles, Orleans of the 
North of 1815 under Fort Meigs near the foot of the Rapids, with 
Havre de Grace, Ottokee, Yondota, and Florence, intervening — all 
have disappeared from the map, and the average residents or owners of 
their sites know not their stories, nor even their names. So with Otsego 



SPECULATIVE CANAL TOWNS. FIRST RAILROADS. 6/9 

aliovo Hoclic di- liout, and otlu r ( ;irl\ |i()|>ul;ii sittlcmi iits alony tin- 
canals and rivers, including; I ndiiHiKlincc llucc-aiid-a-hall miles rast 
of Defiance, Newlnirj; ol !>*;>;"> at the henti ol the Maiuiiee in IJelaware- 
Tovvnshii>, Ditiaiue Coiintv, and Xtw Harrison of 1h;JH jn Indiana near 
the Ohio l^ine where it was tliou^ht the \\'al)asli and ICrie Canal would 
he locked into the Mauniee. Other towns, in plat and in realit\', that 
have disappeared, have hien mentioned in tither places. Hninershiirji, 
on the Tiftin River two miles from its mouth and two niih-s overland 
from Defiance, had a be^jinnin^ in the early iM^O's. It was platted in 
1h;J4, and a village soon sjiruny^ into vi^;orous existence. Hopes were 
I'ntertained ol its heiny a port on the Canal : and su]iplies and exports 
were moved by canal boats. There were also hopes of a railroad (see 
Railways). One addition after another was made to this town, and its 
business for a tew years rivaihil that of Di'fiance. Beside the flouring 
and sawiiiL; mill there were several leather tanneries, a pottery, and 
boatbuildiuL;. I'.ut decline began in J'^44 : and now there are verv few 
residents in the village. Also along the Miami and i^rie Canal in 
Paulding Count\ and southward, the former Canalport, St. .Andrews, 
Newburg, Miuat, Timbirville, with others are but memories that are 
fast fading into oblivion. 

The First Railroads. 

The subject of railroads was overshadowed for some vears bv that 
of canals. The argument ran that every new country possessed the 
means for making canals — the earth, stoni', wood, water, and horse 
propelling power — whereas the iron and steam machinery for the less 
efficient railroad must needs be imported at great expense. The experi- 
ence of England for some years was that the earning cajjacitv of the 
canal far exceeded that of the railroad. 

The first railroad built and operated west of the Alleghenv Moun- 
tains w-as on the line of the present Michigan Southern line between 
Toledo and Adrian. The Miami and Erie Canal had been projected 
along the Maumce River, and this railroad line was chosen as far from 
it as possible and across the country. It began business at Toledo over 
five years before the canal but it continued for many years a small begin- 
ning of the present marvelous system of railway transportation. It 
was projected in the winter of lH32-3;-i by Doctor Samuel O. Comstock 
of Toledo. It was incorporated with the name Erie and Kalamazoo 
Railroad by Act of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan, 
jiassed 2'2nd April, 1835, with perpetual succession "to build a railroad 
from Port LawTence [now Toledo] through Adrian to some point on 
the Kalamazoo River : to transport, take and carry propertv and per- 
sons upon the same, by the power and force of steam, animals, or of 



620 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

any mechanical or other power, or any combination of them." An 
amendment to this Act, passed 26th March, 1835, provided that when 
"the road shall have paid the cost of building the same, and expenses 
of keeping the same in repair, and seven per cent on all moneys 
expended as aforesaid, the said road shall become the property of the 
Territory, or State, and shall become a free road except sufficient toll to 
keep the same in repair." A subsequent Act terminated the road 
at Adrian. 

Man\' members of the Legislative Council viewed the question as 
' a mere fanciful object out of which could come no harm [to Michigan 
Territory] and it would greatly please the Comstocks of Toledo.' 
Stephen B. Comstock and Benjamin F. Stickney were among the 
charter members ; and the company held a view regarding the success 
of the road different from that of the council. Upon receipt of the 
charter they at once completed their plans for building. The selection 
of persons to locate the road and superintend its construction fortu- 
nately resulted in the choice of Edward Bissell of Toledo and George 
Crane of Adrian, men of good judgment and energy. The construction 
plan embraced only ties, and oak rails four inches square. The work 
was pressed rapidly forward and, on account of the level country and 
the light ground work, the road was completed to Adrian in the sum- 
mer of 1836 : but the wear on the green oak rails in transporting 
material for construction soon demonstrated the necessity for an iron 
covering, whereupon strap iron rails five-eighths of an inch thick and 
two-and-a-half inches wide were procured and nailed to the oak. It 
was also decided to purchase a steam locomotive. The road was 
opened for business in the fall of 1836 with horses as motive power, 
and the following rates of fare for a "Seat in the Pleasure Car upon 
the Railroad : Toledo to Whiteford 4 shillings [fifty cents] ; White- 
ford to Blissfield 4s: Blissfield to Palmyra 2s; Palmyra to Adrian 2s; 
Through ticket from Toledo to Adrian [thirty-three miles, continuous] 
12s; 50 lbs. liaggage free to each seat." Through freight, on a light 
barrel bulk equal to 200 lbs. was 4 shillings per hundred. 

The terminus of this railroad at Toledo was in the former Village 
of Vistula at the foot of the present Cedar Street, the road passing 
through the former Port Lawrence about the present Perry and Water 
Streets and extending along the river over a trestle. The run to 
Adrian generally required the full day's time at first if no mishaps 
occurred; but accidents and exciting incidents were of frequent 
occurrence. 

February 15, 1837, a dividend of five per centum was declared on 
the stock discounted and held by the bank. April 7, 1837, the fare was 
advanced to $2.25 from Toledo to Adrian in the Pleasure Car, and it 



FIRST RAILROAD WEST OF ALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS. 621 

was further "resolved that former rates for the Pleasure Car be charged 
[for passengers riding] on the Lumber Cars." 

The first locomotive brought west of Schenectady, New York, 
being the one ordered in iMIJb, was received at Toledo in June, 1837, 
its route being from Philadelphia to New York City by water, thence 




THE 1-lRST I.OCOMOTIVK AND THE SECOND 'PLEASL'RE CAR 

Of a Pretty thoub;h rather Singular and Eanciful Model' of the Erie and Kalania/.oo Railroad running 
from Toledo in July. IH;17. From an old print. 

up the Hudson River to Troy, thence by New York and Erie 
Canal to Buffalo, and thence b\- a lake boat. This locomotive was 
numl^er 80 of the noted Baldwin Locomotive Works. It was ver\' 
small and light in comparison with the average locomotive of the 
present, and it was without protection for the engineer. In July, 1837, 
the accommodation of this railroad was increased by a new 'Pleasure 
Car of a pretty, though rather singular and fanciful model' as shown 
in the accompanying t-ngraving. This was the second passenger car 
used by this road. It was divided into four compartments, three to 
accommodate eight passengers each on two facing seats, and the fourth 
was a small space in the lowest central part lietween the wheels, for 
baggage. By this equipment passengers were transY)orted at a speed 
of less than ten miles an hour when no accidents were experienced, and 
this permitted one round journey a day, from Toledo to .\drian. But 
accidents often occurred, entailing long delays. The soil supporting 
the ties was slippery and unstable after even light rains, while the 
knowledge and the means were not at hand for stable ballasting. With 
the spring of the rails came a breaking or loosening of the nails and a 



622 THE MAVMEE RIVER BASIN. 

curling of the ends of the strap-iron rails which during the greatest 
speed occasionally curled so high and with such force as to pierce the 
floor of the car and endanger the passengers. The exciting experiences 
of such dangers related by several passengers caused fear and hesita- 
tion among would-be travelers on the line. 

In October, 1887, this railroad company was awarded the contract 
for carrying the United States Mails, and little bv little it grew in better 
favor with the public. E.\penses increased, however, and unpaid bills 
accumulated. The largest single item in the list of delinquent taxes in 
Toledo for the \'ear 1841 was §203.12 assessed on the depot and 
machine shop of the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad, which property was 
valued at $3451. The company's troubles increased and in June, 1842, 
its propert3' was levied upon by the sheriff. In May, 1849, the road was 
leased in perpetuity to the Michigan Southern Railroad Compan}-; and in 
1869 it became part of the great Lake Shore and Michigan Southern sys- 
tem through consolidation with the Northern Indiana: Cleveland and 
Toledo organized in 1850 and completed December 20, 1852; Cleveland, 
Painesville and Ashtabula; and the Buffalo and Erie Railroads. 

In 1836 there was a bill presented to the Legislature for incorpor- 
ating a railroad from Brunersburg to Hicksville, but nothing came of it. 
The Toledo, Wabash and Western Railway was broached July 11, 
1847; but the plan did not assume definite and active form until 1852. 
It was completed from Toledo to Fort Wayne in July, 1855. To facil- 
iate its construction, rails and a locomotive were transported by Miami 
and Erie Canal from Toledo to Defiance. This road became a strong 
competitor to the canals, and it has been the strongest factor in the 
decline of the Wabash and Erie Canal. For many years it has been 
operated under the name of the Wabash Railway. The Dayton and 
Michigan Railroad, built in 1859, and its connection with the Cincinnati 
and Dayton road, has been the great competitor of the Miami and 
Erie Canal. 

The first railroad to enter Fort Wayne was the Ohio and Indiana 
which was located in 1852 and completed in 1854. Its first rails and 
locomotive were received by the Wabash and Erie Canal b}' way of 
Toledo. The arrival of this locomotive excited great interest and it 
was soon visited by nearly the entire populace. The Fort Wayne and 
Chicago Railroad was located in 1854 and was completed from Fort 
Wayne in 1857. This road was consolidated in 1856 with the Ohio and 
Indiana, and the Ohio and Pennsylvania roads to form the Pittsburg, 
Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad which is now the prominent line of 
the great Pennsylvania Railroad system. 

The Chicago line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Comi^any 
was built through this Basin in 1873-74. The double tracking of this 



RAILWAYS STEAM AND ELECTRIC. LIBRARIES. 623 



niilway, which is a part of the principal line of this company, was com- 
pleted in 1905. 

This Basin, from its large business interests, its central position, 
and its level landscape, is an ideal region for the building and operating 
ot railroads ; and those of both steam and electric power have accordingly 

increased to a large number, ex- 
tending in every direction. Each 
of the largest cities is a railway 
center, with the chief center at 
Toledo which has become one of 
the principal railway centers, of 
both steam and electric lines, in 
the United States — and yet 
greater business is soon to be 
realized from the completion in 
1903 of two beltlines. The Toledo 
Belt Railway, intermural, and 
The Toledo Railway and Term- 
inal Company which is mostly 
without the present city limits 
thus affording rare opportunities 
for manufactories along its line — 
see adjoining map. The last 
nanu'd line was opened for inspection and dedicated September 
It), 1903, by an excursion given around its course to nearly three 
hundred reiiresentative business men of Toledo. 




TOLEDO'S DOUBLE BELT RAILWAYS 



Libraries, Public axu Private. 

Libraries have been increasing to a considerable degree during the 
past few years, both in their number and in the number of their books. 
The Public Libraries represent a change from the Public School and the 
Sunday School libraries which were formed from the recommendation 
of the Ohio State Convention of the friends of education held in Col- 
umbus in January, 1H36. This recommendation was based upon the 
plan of the District School Libraries of New York and New England 
which, though small, were comj^osed of books, like .\bbott's histories, 
that were instructive on useful subjects : and the wholesome influence 
of which was carried throughout the Nation. 

The changes are, in some respects, not for the better, largely from 
the increased number of books of fiction that have been published and 
the hasty, indifferently-considered selection. The funds for the sup- 
port of these Public Libraries have come from individual gifts, from 
public entertainments, or from public tax, and in bulk, often making the 



624 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

purchase of several hundred volumes possible at a time ; and the 
commitee, already fully occupied each memlier with his own affairs, or 
too often the librarian alone, has taken the latest fiction in bulk without 
regard to its character or probable influence. Thus the books of these 
libraries have exerted a powerful influence on many ^lersons of all ages 
to thwart the efforts and the desires of the considerative taxpayer or 
philanthropist l^y making the libraries very much of an evil instead 
of a Vilessing. Pernicious habits of reading have lieen directly en- 
couraged liy giving unbridled opportunity for reading as a time eutha- 
nasia, or mental and time dissipation ; for reading that inflames the 
imagination and passions : for the formation of the haliit that always 
leads to the choice of books that take the readers into an unnatural 
state of mind, impracticable in the everyday relations of the reader's 
life : fictions that lead to day-dreaming, to deteriorations of mind and 
even to disorders of the nervous system and of the bodily health : and 
to repugnance for liooks on practical and useful knowledge. The 
desires and intentions of philanthropists are best met liy those libraries 
which are a part of well adjusted and carefully supervised educational 
systems. 

The Public Library of the City of Toledo. The first effort to es- 
talilish a Public Library in Toledo came from the organization 1st 
December, 1h;3!~«, of the Young Men's Association of the City of Toledo 
incorporated under the .\ct of the General Assembly of 13th March, 
1K3H. The constitution of this Association is an interesting document 
and contains the names of sixtv-six sul>scribers. To establish upon a 
liberal and public basis a Lyceum and Public Lilirarv in the City of 
Toledo are two of the objects named in the constitution. This Associa- 
tion survived a number of years (Hiram Walbridge lieing secretary in 
1H45) and it was then succeeded by the Young Men's Christian 
Association. 

In the year 1864 a few- citizens of Toledo decided to form a sub- 
scription library. The 18th October a meeting was held at the office 
of Doctor Chesbro when it was reported that !?2.^()() had been subscribed, 
and it was resolved to proceed with the organization. At the adjourned 
meeting, three davs later, the committees reported and the constitution 
was adopted. October ^Tth, a charter of the Toledo Library Associa- 
tion having meantime been obtained, John Sinclair, E. Jackson, 
Charles A. King, D. E. Gardiner, W. A. C. Converse, Morrison R. 
Waite, and William Krauss, were elected Trustees and W. H. Fish 
Clerk, to serve until Mav, 1865. The work was carried forward with 
spirit, and soon a reading room was opened with eight hundred books 
and with newspapers and magazines. A course of lectures and further 
subscriptions netted an additional thousand dollars. Overtures were 



THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES. 



625 



now nuuli- to aiUl the books luld by the Vouni; Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation which had been orKanized since 1838; and in October, IWif), 
this collection of ei^ht hundred iiooks was added. The library in- 
creased in popularity. Durinji the year IHtto there were 15,000 circu- 
lations. A course of lectures this winter netted nine hundred dollars, 
and another course the next year thirteen hundred dollars. In May, 
18t)7, the Association had four thousand books and five hundred mem- 
bers, thirty-three of whom were life members. Its officers were : 
John Sinclair President, Ivobert A. W'ason \'ice President, Charles F. 




TDl.EUt) I'LHLIC LIBKAKV BIILIMNG 
Lookilli: 'Southward 

Adams Secretary and Elijah H. Norton Treasurer. Trustees: Charles 
A. Kinsi, Neh. Waterman, W. A. C. Converse, Calvin Barker, 
W. H. H. Smith, Stephen H. Camp, Henry Hall, and Albert E. 
Macomber. This Association continued in successful operation until 
1873 when it became evident to the few more considerative and 
unselfish members that a library sustained by the subscriptions of a 
few could not be of such direct and general benefit to the general 
public as was desirable ; and that a free library sustained by general 
taxation was as necessary as free schools. Action from these opinions 
resulted in giving Toledo the honor of being one of the first cities in 
the west to provide a Free Public Library. The Legislature was peti- 
tioned for this purpose. An Enabling .\ct was passed 18th April, 1873, 



626 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

and it was formally adopted by the Common Council of Toledo 24th 
June, 1873. The nine Trustees, to serve without compensation, 
were then named, four bv the Board of Education and four by the 
Common Council with the Mayor ex officio. They were chosen chieflij' 
from the officers of the Toledo Library Association, which now turned 
over to the new organization its property including 4878 books. There 
also came to the new organization 1320 books from the Public Schools, 
the law directing that all books there not needed for reference be thus 
transferred. These 6198 volumes were opened to the pulilic in the 
second story of the King Block at the northwest corner of Summit and 
Madison Streets as soon as practicable as a Free Public Library; and 
here they remained, being added to each year, until the completion of 
the present building when the books were removed and the library 
there opened to the public 23rd June, 1890. 

This library building is nominally fire proof. Its walls are of 
brick faced with sandstone on its fronts northward on Madison Street 
and westward on Ontario. Its cost was about $75,000. Its architec- 
ture is composite and pleasing exteriorily, but rather disappointing in 
its interior arrangement, light, and capacity which is possibly about 
sixtv to seventy thousand volumes. The number of volumes cata- 
logued was reported April 1, 1903, as 50,552, and the volumes possessed 
January 1, 1905, were reported as 56,576. louring the year 1904 there 
were added 6833 volumes ; and the number of tattered volumes of 
fiction discarded was large. The net increase of borrowers' cards was 
4746 during 1904. 

This library is popular. It is open day and evening during 
business days, and Sunday afternoons. During the year ending 1st 
April, 1902, there were 231,303 withdrawals of books for home reading; 
52,955 of these being fiction for children and 79,683 of fiction by adults. 
During this year there were 45,174 consultations of reference books in 
the reading room. 

The five substations, that were in operation from the autumn of 
1899, were abandoned during the year ending 1st April, 1903; but 
many books are distributed to residents of different parts of the City 
by teachers of their schools. 

The open-shelf system was established 12th December, 1899: also 
a juvenile room, and a newspaper room, which have become popular. 
The books of fiction drawn by the children have been as high as ninety 
per cent of their entire reading. Later reports lessen this ratio. 

The general management of the library has been conservative. 
The receipts for 1902 were, from City Tax $20,928.37; Mott bequest 
$1000; M' Bride $12. The expenditures were, for bonds and interest 
$4,977.50; repairs $79.54; furniture $15,35; salaries $8,706.49; books 



THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES. 627 

purchased $867.48; binding books $11. 7U; newspapers and magazines 
$407..")!: hit 1 and light $1,393.45. Amount to the credit ol th. library 
Fund Jst April, 1903, $9,r)fJ4.->0. 

Mrs. Frances D. Jermain, who had been an employee of this 
library for twi'nty-five years, several years as librarian, t<rniinated her 
connection with it at the close of the year 1903. Her work was efli- 
cientl\' and pleasantly done. She is succeeded as librarian by Willis 
F. Sewall. 

An architect was calli'd in December, 1904, to consider the prac- 
ticability of increasing the book storing capacity within the present 
walls of thr building, and the desirability of extending the building to 
double the present capacity. There Ik amjjle space for extending the 
building on the Citv's land adjoining, the lot being 106 feet in width 
and exti luliug from Madison to Jefferson Street. 

The Way Public Library. Perrvsburg, Ohio, is the result of a 
bequest by the late W'illard V. Way, Esq., who was born in Springfield, 
Otsego County, New York, 3rd .\ugust, 1>^07, and reniovid to tVrrys- 
burg in 1S34. He was a lawyer, a man of sterling character and useful 
in a good degree to his fellows during his lifetime. He died at Perrys- 
burg '2')tU August, 1875. His bequest was $15,000 to In- ixrmanently 
invested and the interest, $600 I'tr year, alone used for tlu- purchase of 
books ; also the sum of near $12,000 for a lot and library building. 
Gifts by citizens purchased an adjoining lot, and $1100 from the \'illage 
l)urchasi'd the heating furnace, shelves, etc., and graded the yard. The 
building was completed and occupied in 1890. It is of Kilbuck brown 
stone 50 X tiO feet ground size, mainly one story high with basement. 
The two outer main entrances lead through a vestibule under a tower 
of Louisville sandstone, facing t\vo streets. The plan includes a cata- 
loguing nook 11x13 feet, a hall 7x 16 leading to the stack room which 
is 19x30 feet, with paneled ceiling and mouldings. To the left of the 
main entrance is the room for reference books 14x15 feet in size, and 
to the right is the general reading room 16 x 22 feet, furnished with 
heavy chairs and tables of oak. 

The building and invested money are held in trust by a Board of 
seven Managers, three chosen by the Village Council, two by the Board 
of Education whose President and the Mayor are ex otTicio members. 

The books number about 7000, and the circulations number from 
10,000 to 12,000. The hours are from 1 to 5 and from 6:30 to 8:30 
P. M. excepting Sundays ai^d public holidays. The rooms are lighted 
by electricity donated by the electric company. A children's depart- 
ment has recently been added. The expenses for the care of the build- 
ing and library, amounting to between $300 and $400 per year, are paid 
by a special \'illage Tax. Mrs. Ann E. Frederick is librarian. 



628 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The Defiance Public Library was organized in June, 1895, with 
about 850 hooks that were donated by the surviving members of the 
Defiance Library Association which was formed the 1st April, 1873. 
This Association started with a membership fee of five dollars and two 
dollars annual dues, and gathered about forty members. The expenses 
were kept at a minimum by the librarian keeping the books in his 
office without charge. 

The Public Library has been maintained liy City Tax, three-tenths 
of one mill being levied tor this purpose. It contains something over 
five thousand volumes many of which are fiction, and a few hundred 
are in the German language. The circulation cards numbered 2647 in 
June, 1904; and the book circulations numbered upwards of 20,000 
during the year, the average daily withdrawals being 65 and the maxi- 
mum weekly 601, with short hours. The books were first kept in one 
room at 508 Court Street, but in July, 1901, they were moved to three 
rooms over a drygoods store at 314 Clinton Street. 

Andrew Carnegie expressed readiness November 25, 1903, to give 
$17,500 for a library building at Defiance if the City would provide the 
site and not less than $1750 annually for the library's maintenance. 
The general tax levy for this sum was unanimously voted by the City 
Council; and January 5, 1904, upon the unanimous vote of the Library 
Trustees and by a vote of five to two by the City Council, Fort De- 
fiance Park was chosen, and granted, as the site for the building. The 
west end of this centrally and beautifully situated Park was chosen as 
/ 1/ / the building site, it being well removed from the earth works of Fort 

Defiance. Ground was broken August 9, 1904, and the cornerstone 
was set October 9th by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons 
of Ohio before a large concourse of people. Addresses were made by 
Henry B. Harris President of the Board of Library Trustees, by Mrs. 
Laura S. Sneath President of the Federated Women's Clubs of Ohio, 
and by Charles Dick United States Senator. The building is two and 
a half stories high, in principal part, faced on all sides to the eaves 
with the Mansfield red-variegated sandstone, 60 x 66 feet in size, the 
sides and ends with central-extended lines and the corners buttressed 
to good effect. The roof, with skylight and large tile glazed in red, 
green and chocolate colors, was laid in December, 1904, and January, 
1905. The contract for the building did not provide for its completion 
on account of insufficient funds. The sum of $1000 subscribed by 
citizens residing in the vicinity, for making permanent walks and other- 
wise beautifying the Park, was added to the building fund and yet it 
was not sufficient to finish and furnish the building according to later 
desires. Upon presenting the facts to the benefactor he generously 
added in February, 1905, $4500 to his former contribution. The 



THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES. 629 

hiiililinjr was occupiici in tlic sunimt-r of IHOii. The library was then 
largely enhanced 1)\ gilt cif the hook and museum collections of Charles 
K. Slocum — see discription on following i)ages, and engiavings on 
pages ^X, 7ii, 175, 279, oli"), etc Miss Jewel P'ouke is librarian. 

The Fort Wayne Public Library was established in 1893. Largely 
through efforts of The Women's Club League the City Council and the 
Board of School Trustees were induced this year to establish the library 
as jiart of the Public School system ; and tlu' title to i)roperty apper- 
taining to it, and the library control, were vested in the Trustees of the 
Public Schools under Act of the Indiana Legislature in IHHl. The 
entire support is derived Ironi Cit\- Tax, which levy cannot exceed one- 
third of one mill. The money thus collected in 19015 amounted to 
about SHO(H). 

The books now number about 12,000 volujnes. They \vere housed 
in a private ri'sidt'nce previous to the completion of the new library 
building in the winter of 1903-04. This building was constructed bv 
the fund (at lirsl of $7'), 000 and later of $ir),0(K)) donated to the City 
of Fort Wayne for this purjiose by Andrew Carnegie on his usual terms 
in such cases. It is situated in a quiet, pleasant place on the south- 
west corner of West W ayne and Websttr Streets, two squares west of 
Calhoun Street the principal thoroughfare. The walls of the north, 
east and west sides are faced with Bedford Limestone in smooth finish. 
The building is of general firei)roof or slow-burning construction, and 
in accordance with well-considered plan. The capacitv is about 
80,000 volumes. Miss Margaret M. Colerick is the efficient librarian. 

The Public Library at Bryan, Ohio, is the outgrowth of the Bryan 
Library Association which was formed in 1882 by a few book-loving 
women. By social and literary entertainments, and subscriptions, a 
few books were oi)ened to the iniblic in |uly, 18H3, the families using 
the books paying one dollar a year therefor. During later years the 
Williams County Commissioners have granted the use of a basement 
room in the Court House for storing the books, and there books could 
be drawn at certain hours in the week. The books now number about 
3200 volumes. 

Earls in 190;> Andrew Carnegie tendered to the Village of Bryan a 
donation of ten thousand dollars for the erection of a free i>ublic librarj- 
building on his usual conditions that a site be obtained by the village 
and at least ten per cent of the sum donated be raised each j-ear for 
the library's supv)ort. The gift was accepted, a Village Tax of one 
mill was levied, a building site facing High Street southward near the 
east side of the Pul)lic Square was bought, and the building was com- 
pleted for occupancy late in the fall of 1904. The books belonging to 
the Library Association were formally transferred December 20, 1904, 



650 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

to the care of the Trustees of the Public Library previously chosen, 
and they were shelved in the new building. Alice M. Walt has been 
the efficient librarian. 

The John Sanford Brumback Library of Van Wert County, situate 
in the City of Van Wert, was formally dedicated 1st January, lUOl. 
The buildint; is of stone 60 x 70 feet in extreme- f^round plan, cruciform, 
a story and a half high, with liasement ; with gothic roofs and two 
castellated towers two stories in height situated in the angles front of 
the transept, the one to the right of the approaching visitor being 
round in form and the one to the left square. It has arched ceilings, 
tile floors, marble mantel and wainscoting, polished oak woodwork and 
furniture. The naturally flat surface of its site in the small Cit\- Park 
was elevated by 10,000 wagon loads of earth hauled from a distance. 

The Ladies Library Association of 1H90 was the origin of the suc- 
cessful public library movement in \'an Wert. By small membership 
fees, yearly assessments, and entertainments, the ladies accumulated a 
few books, and in 1896 the Common Council came to their assistance 
with a lew of three-tenths ot a mill tax which produced $575 a year. 
With the increased expenditure for rent and care, but little of this fund 
was left with which to purchase books, and it was feared that the effort 
would fail like a similar effort some years before. At this time the will 
of Mr. Brumback was made public, in which he provided for a good 
building for the City or, if his heirs thought best, for the County. This 
suggestion of the Count}' prevailed. An Act of the Legislature enabled 
the County Commissioners to levy a tax for the purchase of books and 
the maintenance of the library. This tax at present is one-half mill. 
The Ladies Association turned over their 1600 books to the new 
organization which now possesses a better rounded collection of 9000 
volumes, with space for forty thousand : and the prospect for the future 
usefulness of this Counts Library, the first in Ohio, is encouraging. 
Fifteen local points of distribution have been established in well-chosen 
parts of the County, and are in successful oiaeration. The Library 
Board consists of seven members, three chosen by the County Commis- 
sioners, two by the Brumback heirs, and two by the Ladies Librar}' 
Association. Miss Ella Louise Smith is librarian. 

The Findlay Public Library Findlay, Ohio, was organized a few 
years ago, and now has about 3500 miscellaneous books. It is housed 
in the basement of the Hancock County Court House, is freely patron- 
ized, and is moderately supported by City Tax. 

The Lima Public Library was opened in September, 1901, in three 
rooms in the Black Block, Main Street in the City of Lima, Ohio. The 
books then on the shelves were principally six hundred volumes, 
belonging to the public, which had been kept in the rooms of the Young 



THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES. 651 

Men's Christian Association. MonfV was raised to supjjort tlu- new 
enterprise by subscription and by selling life memberships (or one 
dollar each. The number of tiooks increased during the first three 
vt'ars to ;!.")(.)(.) volumes 'one-third being hction, one-third juvenile, and 
one-third classified.' 

The Tliird .\nnual Report, for the year ending September 21, lildl, 
shows ;52iX) membership cards, 092 having been issued the last year and 
IHl cancelled. The largest issue of books in one day was ;!2() on March 
12, I'.idl, and the smallest issues were Jui\- 2t)th and August 25th of "il 
voluiius each dav. The largest circulation in one month was 4121 
books in Marrii, 11I(I4, and the smallest was 2T)W in August. The 
average daily issue was 124, an increase of nine over 1902-03. The 
whole number of issues during the year were 38,132 of which 33,063 
were fiction. At first the library was open eight hours a day and even- 
ing e.xcepting Sundavs and during thi' summer when it was clos<:d 
evenings other than Mondays and Saturdays. It was also closed two 
hours at midda\- and two hours (or evening meal. Latterly the hours 
have been from 9:t>0 to 5:00 bv day and 7:00 to S:()0 evenings, Sundays 
e.xcepted. 

This library is sustained mostly by City Tax, only a few member- 
shi]) tickets being sold to country or distant residents. The receipts 
(or the year ending October 11, 1904, were !S2,7(i5.3(3 and the expendi- 
tures were, for salaries $997.00, for rents and maintenance $309.45, 
books and supplies $500.73. 

In the (all o( 1901 .-Vndrew Carnegie ottered to donate the City of 
Lima $30,000 with which to erect a library building on his usual condi- 
tions of a free unencumbered site and the raising annually of ten per 
cent of the amount donated for the upkeep of the library. No move- 
ment being made by the city authorities, or the business men, to secure 
a building lot, the members of the Women's Federated Clubs 
took action. They were offered the net proceeds that might accrue 
from their editing and circulating of one day's issue of the Republican- 
Gazette newspaper; and their Library Edition of November 25, 1902, 
netted them $1000 as the beginning of a Library-site Fund. In April, 
1904, these ladies gave a Twilight Recital, and in June they held a 
Lawn Fete at MacBeth Park for the benefit of this fund, both enter- 
tainments netting them $1274 which sum was placed on interest with 
the other. October 17th a lot one hundred feet square was purchased 
for $6500. It is situate at the corner of Market and MacDonald Streets, 
four squares west- of the business center at Main Street, and is con- 
sidered most desirable. Other public entertainments were given by 
the ladies for this fund in the winter of 1904-05. Medora Freeman is 
the enterprising librarian. 



652 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

The Paulding Library Association was organized in Paulding, Ohio, 
late in the year 1903, by the Women's Federated Literary Societies, 
some contributing books and others money, and a library of about two 
hundred and fifty volumes was opened to the members February 16, 
1904. The membership payment has been named at two dollars, and 
the dues at one dollar a year. A report the first part of December 
shows eighty members, and three hundred and eighty volumes on the 
shelves. The officers are Mrs. Andrew Durphy President, Mrs. 
Charles Baughman Secretary, and Miss Catherine Travis Librarian. 

Ottawa, Putnam Count\', Ohio, has no public library. At the 
death there of Charles Clippenger in 1904, it became known from his 
will that he bequeathed to this village fifteen hundred dollars for 
library use, to be paid after the death of two heirs who are to receive 
the income from this sum during their lifetime. 

Other towns have recently become beneficiaries of Andrew 
Carnegie for library buildings in the following amounts : Wauseon, 
Fulton County, $7500: Celina, Mercer County, $10,000: Columbus 
Grove, Putnam Countv, $10,000. 

The Public School Libraries. The Public Schools having the 
largest number of books are as follows: In the part of Indiana within 
the limits of this Basin, Ashley 500 volumes; Auburn 1200; Butler 
300; Decatur 1900; Fort Wayne 3000; Garrett 500; Waterloo 400. 
In Michigan: Addison 300 ; Adrian 16,500 : Hudson 1500; Hillsdale 
1100. In Ohio : Antwerp 600 : Bluffton400: Celina 400 ; Columbus 
Grove 500 ; Criderville 400 : Defiance 2000 : Delphos 800 : Delta 600 ; 
Deshler200; Findlay 700: Hicksville 500 ; Latty 400; Lima 700; 
Maumee 500; Napoleon 300; New Bremen 600; North Baltimore 300; 
North Lima 300 ; Ottawa 500; Pandora 250 ; Paulding 300 ; St. Mary's 
2000 ; Toledo 700 reference books, others were turned into the Public 
Library; Van Wert 400 ; Wapakoneta 170t) ; Wauseon 300 : Weston 
300. These books have generally been chosen with the erroneous, 
and pernicious, notion that fiction is necessary to form the habit 
of reading. 

Other Educational Institution Libraries are noted at page 595 ante. 

The Young Men's Christian Associations possess a small number of 
books, also other societies, but reports from them are not at hand. 

The Private Library of Colonel Robert S. Robertson, Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, comprises over three thousand volumes. History predomi- 
nates, and next rank belles-lettres, art, and science. There is here one 
of the best collection of books relating to Mormonism possessed in the 
middle west. A number of first editions, a few fine bindings, and 
several rare old works are on his shelves. These books are free to all 
literary inclined persons who desire to consult them and, with a few 



THE PRIVATE LIBRARIES OF CITIZENS. 653 

reservations, books art- loaiud. This colltction ol hooks and its 
owner have been authority to many citizens, and of inestimable value 
to the community in tluir far-nacliint; inHuence for K'>'><1- '" tht' 
same rooms with the books are kej)! many of the Colonel and Mrs. 
Robertson's collections of pnhistorir and historic relics, minerals, 
fossils, paintings, enfjravings, and other works of art, many of which 
were collected during their travels in America and Europe — all pre- 
senting evidence of cultun- and good discernment. 

The Library of the late Allen H. Hamilton is the largest private 
collection ol books in I'Drt \\'a\ m . It contains probably somtthmg 
over eight thousand volumes, and is yet retained by Mrs. Hamilton. 
It is strong in folk-lore, jjoetry, and rare old works. 

The other of the larger private' libraries in Fort Wayne have been 
reported as follows: The colliction possessed by Reverend and 
Bishop Alerding numbering about five thousand volumes : Reverend 
Samuel Wagenhals four thousand; Margaret Hamilton three thousand 
five hundred : and John II. Jacobs about one thousand vojunus in 
which latter collection English History and Literature of the eighteenth 
century are best represented, and geniral historv, biography, and 
political economy, are next in rank. 

Charles E. Slocum's Private Library at Defiance, Ohio, shows the 
accumulations of about thirty-tivi' \iars, after giving many books to 
his friends. It contains some poor and some indifferent books which 
have been of use as warnings to their possessor to be more circumspect 
in other purchases. 

This library, now numbering over five thousand titles and yet 
increasing, is permitted to hv rejjorted only as an encouragement to 
book-loving peoi)le by illustrating what can be accomplished with 
moderate means and persistent efforts: its ow-ner believing that it is 
better to own the obtainable books necessary for mental expansion than 
to be dependent on the neighbors or a public library. This collection 
contains something relating to every subject — books, general and 
special, on the different phases of anthropology, language, history, 
science, literature, philosophy, art, jiolitics, religions and education. 
Books on science, history and literature i)redominate. But little space 
has been given to modern fiction on account of its demoralizing influ- 
ence on mind, and on the time at command for reading. 

Books relating in varying degree to the 'Territor}' Northwest of 
the Ohio River' are well represented, including the Jesuit Relations 
Burrows Brothers edition in seventv-three volumes, the Paris and 
London Documents, and most of the other authorities referred to in the 
footnotes of this volume. Thcrt' are also the Narrative and Critical 
History of America eight volumes, Parkman's writings twelve volumes, 



634 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



and special histories of Canada, the Pacific Slope, Alaska, Labrador, 
the United States of Mexico, and of the countries of Central and South 
America. 

In addition to several special works treating different phases, the 
History of the United States of America is represented by the works of 
Bancroft seven volumes, Bartlett three, Bryant and Gay four, Ellis six, 




I.IHRAKV OF CHARLES EI.IHU SLOCUM. DEFIANCK. OHIO 
Looking east 1st November. 1899, 

Shaler two, Lossing eleven. Battles and Leaders of the Civil War four, 
Hildreth six, Wilson five, the American Nation twenty-eight volumes 
edited by Albert H. Hart, Harper's Encyclopaedia of United States 
Historj' ten volumes, National Cyclopaedia of American Biography at 
present twelve volumes. National Portrait Gallery four, the Writings of 
George Washington edited by Jared Sparks twelve volumes, Writings of 
John Adams second President ten, of Alexander Hamilton seven, of 
James Madison four, and of other public men ; also special histories of 
the wars, of States, sections, cities, and citizens : also writings of 
Greeh', Grant, Sherman, William T. and John, Fiske, Blaine, Bryce, 
Roosevelt, Earle, etc., etc. There are also many books relating to the 
Aborigines and their archaeology, illustrated with sketches in the field 



THE PRIVATE LIBRARIES OF CITIZENS. 



655 



and sonn- with colonel portraits from the United States Bureau at 
Washington. There are over fifty volumes on the fauna and flora of 
the United States including fifteen or more volumes on cryi)togamic 
botany with many colored plates. Other countries ari' similarlx' re|)re- 
sented, also in the I'Viiich and Girman languages. 

The medical and surgical sciences are well portr;iyed l>y several 




LIBRARY OF CHARLHS ELIHU SLOCL'M, DKFIANCK. OHIO 
Lookinc west 1st November. IHiW. 



special and recent treatises on each suliject. Special treatises on the 
different phases of biology and psychology are also in this department, 
as w-ell as in that of the educational; and over fiftv volumes of the pub- 
lications of the American Medical .'Association, and thirtv volumes of 
the Ohio State Medical Society. 

Long time membership in other societies has added manv volumes 
of their publications, among which are those of the .\merican Micro- 
scopical Society twenty-five volumes, of the New PIngland Historic 
Genealogical Society twenty-five, of the .\merican Academy of Political 
and Social Science twenty-three, American Association for the Advance- 
ment of Science twenty. National Geographic Society eleven volumes, 
the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Societv fifteen, etc. A 



636 THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 

number of other books, including periodicals, relating to special science 
— anthropology, ethnology, archa;ology, sociology, psychology, zoology, 
botany, history and literature, have been regularly received. 

In addition to the usual standard and some rare histories of 
England, Ireland and Scotland, there are here Rapin de Thoyras and 
Tindal's great work in five thick folio volumes edition of 1743 to 1747 
with many page portraits and other illustrations from copper plates by 
George Virtue, Bosc, Gravelot, etc.; Knight's History eight volumes; 
Knight's Old England two large folio volumes with profuse illustrations 
of ancient buildings, monuments, domestic customs, costumes, etc.; 
Spencer's Complete English Traveler of the eighteenth century, illus- 
trated folio, and many special smaller works of ancient, medieval, and 
modern times. 

Every other country is represented in its history, general and 
natural, many with well illustrated works, such as the General History 
of China four volumes from the French of P. du Halde edition of 1736, 
the ancient classic poetry, and later works; DuRuy's Rome in eight 
volumes profusely illustrated, and others; also Grote's Greece in twelve 
volumes and several other richly illustrated works each relating to 
Greece, Egypt, Syria, the islands of the seas, to the ancient home of 
Man in the far East and to the recent research excavations there; 
Tissot's Life of Christ and of the Old Testament six volumes imperial 
quarto size illustrated in colors ; the different works of DuChaillu, 
Stanley, and of many other explorers and travelers including the latest 
efforts and oliservations in the more distant and obscure parts of the 
world, as in Alaska, Central America, Patagonia, Siberia, Australia, 
and in the Arctic, Antarctic, and other glacier regions. There are also 
several large well illustrated works on art, general and special, with 
several large volumes of bound photographs of paintings, sculptures, 
and architecture, ancient and modern, that have been gathered during 
the owner's travels in America and Europe. 

The department of reference books is particularly well stocked, 
including the recent large publications. 

Being widely removed from large libraries from which to draw, it 
has been incumbent upon the owner of this library to purchase the 
books he needed: and being in full sympathy with the methods of 
modern science he has endeavored to gather literature illustrative of the 
results of such methods. Little attention has been given to vagary or 
hobby in the selection of books. There are a few handsome bindings, 
but generally a good cloth binding has been preferred to any other kind 
on account of its better withstanding atmospheric changes and wear. 

This private library has been freely open to the public, and many 
persons have consulted it, its owner being pleased to offer his aid in 



THE PRIVATE LIBRARIES OF CITIZENS. 637 

any liiK- of study dLsind. The books have been arranged in (our 
rooms under Masonic Hall in the business part of Defiance; and these 
rooms have been freely open as the meetinjj place of the Fort Defiance 
Science Club and of other ort^anizations, as well as to individuals who 
desired to confer refjardinjj (|uestions of public utility and on matters 
literary, scientific or musical. 

This collection of books was divided in the year liJOS, some 
volumes goinjf to friends, others to Defiance College, others to the 
Charles Elihu Slocum Library of the Ohio Wesleyan University at 
Delaware, others to the Orrington Lunt Library of the Northwestern 
University, Evanston, Illinois, and yet more to the Defiance Public 
Library. The last named institution is also the beneficiary of the 
Charles E. Slocum collection of prehistoric and historic relics, including 
those of Geology, of minerals, fossils, shells, marine algae, archaeology, 
and other museum objects, all of which are arranged and displayed in 
the new library building for the benefit of all persons who conform 
to wholesome rules for their study. 

The Library of George H. Ketcham, Toledo, Ohio, is among the 
largest private collections of books in librarv form in the Basin, it 
comprising about nine thousand volumes. It is general in character, 
well supplied with special works of reference, and histories of all 
countries. There is a large number of limited editions, but no special 
attention has been given to bindings. This library is open only to the 
owner, to his family, and to his friends. 

William H. Tucker of Toledo possesses a library of about four 
thousand volumes, largely of the standard works of fiction, history, 
particularly English, and French, art, science, literature and biography. 
Special works for reference are also well represented. This library' 
contains a number of first and rare editions of small volumes for con- 
venient use and handsomely bound in tree calf or Russia leather. Good 
bindings are seen throughout. Considerable attention has been given 
to collecting letters and autographs of prominent persons — George 
Washington, LaFayette, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Jared 
Sparks, and George Bancroft, being among the more prominent ones 
represented by a letter: and Robert Morris, Ulysses S. Grant, Benja- 
min F. Butler, and Charles Francis Adams, among those represented 
by autograph. A number of engravings and bronzes, embellish the 
room containing these books. The owner has generoush' invited the 
public to free enjoyment of his treasures, and he experiences pleasure 
in aiding literary efforts. 

George B. Orwig's library in Toledo numbers about two thousand 
volumes well exhibiting the standard works of American and English 
authors. He has no place for current fiction. History and science 



658 



THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN. 



are well represented. He has given the subject of religion much atten- 
tion, and has sought books descriptive of the religion of all peoples. 
Books on travel have also received due attention, and the historical 
and picturesque parts of the earth may be enjoyed in description and 
illustration at his own fireside. He has preferred half morocco bind- 
ings, believing them more substantial and durable; and in all things 
he has sought the practical. This library is accessible to all friends 
of its owner. 

Robinson Locke of Toledo has a library of about four tliousand 
volumes of general literature, mostly in special limited editions. This 
is the rarest collection of books reported to the writer. Special atten- 
tion has been given to gathering books on early printing, of illuminated 
manuscripts, fine art works, and extra illustrated and extended books. 
It is probably the best collection of books on the drama in the west; 
and possibly the best private collection in this country regarding the 
later actors. Being a man of cultured taste and means, and having 
resided abroad several years, Mr. Locke has been enabled to gather a 
collection of great credit to himself and to his city. 

The other private libraries in Toledo that have been reported to the 
writer as containing over one thousand volumes each of general char- 
acter, are possessed by John W. Dowd, Harry E. King, Noah H. 
Swayne, Rathburn Fuller, George E. Pomeroy, Charles M. Spitzer, 
and Thomas W. Tracj'. 




INDEX. 



Au asterisk (*) after page number indicates an engraved illustration of the subject. 



Alioriginps, as flrit described 64-74. In gen- 
eral and in particular 'tl8-l42; the 
flercest savages known 65, 69 ; complex- 
ion, liair. lieard. clothing 66. 121 : 
shelters from storm and cold 67. .'i(i8, 
398, 409. 421 ; were cannibals 69. 97. 99. 
100, 108. 160, 175, 266, 277, .331, 334. 
421-2, 425, 433; dog the only domesti- 
cated animal 71, 421; religion and medi- 
cine vague, various superstitious sor- 
cery 72, 73* 74* 257* 367-8, 393, 427, 
437-8 ; food, fire 67. 422 ; tilthiness 68. 
533 : bred to savagery and war. weapons 
60» 55* 68, 125* 420; use ot captives 
69 (See Captives for names) ; scalps of 
enemies, use of 70, 93, 133. 108, 329, 
331, 384; dances 71, 434, 438 (calumet) 
91 (scalp) 134*; ornaments 58* 70; en- 
tertainment of expensive 71-2, 91-3, 
103-4, 140-1, 149, 422; industries 70; 
feasts 71, 433 ; fecundity and mortality 
72 ; mode of burial 72, 282, 436 ; blood 
freely mixed with I-'rench SO, 423 ; wam- 
pum 86, 90-92, 99, 107. 117. passim ; 
waver between l-'ronch and Ilritish trade s:'.. 
85, 87, 89. 96 ; council with I''rench In Mon- 
treal (1701) 87; nearly all favor Krench 
(1721) 89; send warriors to Montreal 
90, 102 ; all Join Nicholas' conspiracy 
against French 90 ; war parties sent by 
French against Ilritish 92, 102 ; war 
parties sent by British against French 
93 ; smallpox desired among by French 
99, by British 111; were very intemperate 
71, 103-4, 422 passim ; their sanguinary 
and intemperate training by French and 
British and their measure of fealty 83, 
85, 92. 9X, 102, 103.- 149, 363; Pontiac 
conspires against British 105-113, cap- 
tures British posts 108-9 ; free flow ot 
rum among suggested as surer death to 
than war 113 ; persecute Capt. Morris by 
Maumee (1764) 115-118; curious as to 
cause Revolutionary War 124 ; British 
plan to govern them 124 ; 130-150 ; 
defrauded by British traders 125-6 ; 
federated by French and British against 
Americans 127-150, 162-76, 178-83, 240, 
25^, 262, 280 ; would not live in peace 
with Americans from British influence 
130, 133, 140, 149-50, 157-60. 163, 171, 
173, 181, 183, 185, 208, 217, 237, 254, 
261 ; Americans not faultless toward 168 ; 
battle against British and Americans 
102. 110, 112, 128, 145, 148, Harmar 
(1790) 163-7, St Clair (1791) 171-3, 



Aborigines — Continued. 

Wayne (1794) 193-4; maraudings 130- 
48, 154, 157, 160 ; murder American 
peace messengers 178 : christian converts 
massacred by Americans 140; condition at 
close Revolutionary War 149 (In 1794) 
219 (In 1795-6) 230-41, 252 (1808) 398 
(in 1814-15) 364, 428; Tecumseh con- 
spires against Americans 256-68 ; U. S. 
elTorts to civilize them 367, 419, 422-3 
(trading posts) 259, 263 (agents, black- 
smiths, mills and Interpreters) 373, 375. 
377. 379-81, 393-5 (taught agriculture and 
domestic arts 386. 393, 395, 400, 403, 408. 
414-15 (domestic animals to) 259, 395. 
40:i, 113 (trading agencies) 259, 264; U. 
S. pays their debts 395, 416-17, 
guards health of 416 (see Treaties); 
great gatherings of 90. 99, 106. 114, 127. 
132. 141, 147. 178. 180, 233, 241, 319, 
337. 364, 423 ; land boundary taught 
them by French against British 103, 126, 
by British against Americans 151 ; U. S. 
forbids individual purchases of land from 
151; claims to land not valid 152. 442; 
U. a. policy of narrowing their range 
152-4. 158. 369, 410; were the aggressors 
in strife 160; number of (1782) 146, 
(1789) 158, (1816) 366. (1792) 383. 
(1657, 1718) 427, (1822) 425-6, 429. 
433-4, 438. 440-1 ; U. S. expenditures for 
365, 380, 410 (see also Treaties) ; low 
In scale of advancement and language, 
fiction regarding, misnaming of 419-20 ; 
christian missionaries among 65, 382-409 ; 
names 370-1. 375; dispersion of volun- 
tary 380 ; resemble gypsies 441 ; pipes 
58* 73" 117, 121, 125* pipe of peace 
(calumet) 91, 107 note. 121. 123« 225; 
scouts of for Americans 301-2; linguistic 
stocks, Algonkin 424, Iroquois 439; final 
departure for the west 442. 

Cherokees 440, prompted by Gen. 
Wayne 233 ; In conspiracy of Tecum- 
seh 266. 

Chippewas in conspiracy of Nicholas 
91 ; punished by French 92 ; sent In war 
parties against British 93 ; at capture of 
Pickawillany 99 ; cannibals 100, 422 ; at 
general council for federation (1792) 
179 ; sketch and chiefs of 425, 440. 

Creeks at councils by Maumee (1792) 
179 ; In conspiracy of Tecumseh 266. 

Delawarcs at Lancaster treaty (174S) 
94; capture of 113; In Ohio 117. 121, 
123 ; bad character of 118 ; sold scalps ot 



INDEX. 



ABORIGINES — Concluded. 

Americans to British 133; christian band 
of incited against Americans 134 ; taken 
to Detroit by British and massacred by 
Americans 146 ; continue sale of American 
scalps to British 185 : surrender captives 
to Fort Defiance 224, 235; at Greenville 
treaty (1795) 225-239; return from 
Indiana to Auglaise River 305; (in 1813) 
341 ; Captain Pipe's village 375 ; sketch 
and chiefs of 425. 

Cat Nation, Erics and Neutrals 
sketch of 439. 

Five Nations (Six Nations from 1714) 
patrolled this Basin 53 ; at war with Mi- 
amis at dawn of history 64, 464-5, 
menaced by French and .Miamis (1697) 86 :' 
in conspiracy of Nicholas 91 ; French 
send war party of against British 92 ; 
at Lancaster Treaty (1744) 94; expul- 
sion of from New York favored 152 ; at 
Ft. btanwix Treaty (1784) and relin- 
quish claims to this Basin 152 ; sketch 
of tribes of 439-40; Col. Proctor peace 
commissioner to 169 ; at Philadelphia 
Treaty (1792) 178-9; tribes or 'nations' 
of 440 ; origin of name 'Seneca' 440 ; 
wavering and dreaded 113; (in 1813) 
341; treaty with (1817) 369; chiefs 370; 
other names for Senecas 371 ; number re- 
moved 439. 

Hurons, see Wyandots. 
Kickapoos. see Shawnees 436. 
Illinois tribes, sketch of 425. 
Mcnomonis. savagery and cannibalism 
of 327, 329, 331; sketch of 433. 

kiamis at war with Five Nations at 
dawn of history 64, 86, 464-5 ; French and 
British traders among (1680, 1702) 86- 
87 ; waver between French and British 87, 
93 ; in conspiracy of Nicholas, dance the 
calumet, burn part of Ft. Miami, and ask 
French to return to head of Maumee 91 ; 
at Lancaster Treaty (1748) for sale of 
this Basin 94 ; continue to waver be- 
tween French and British 96; in con- 
spiracy of Pontiac 107 ; persecute Capt. 
Morris at head of Maumee 116-17 ; maraud 
Kentucky 133 ; peace commissioners to 
159 ; cannibalism of 160 ; chiefs 222-3, 
225, 232, 390, 431-2' ; join conspiracy 
of Tecumseh 282 ; expedition against hos- 
tiles (r812) 304; religious missionaries 
among 386, 407 ; U. S. builds houses for 
chiefs and supplies cattle, wagons and 
supplies for tribe 413 ; later treaties with 
417-18, 429, 431 ; sketch of tribe and 
chiefs 426-33 ; superstitions 427 ; very in- 
temperate 428-30 ; called Twighwighs and 
Twigtwies 427. 

Ottawas in raid on Pickawillany 99, 
in conspiracy of Pontiac 104-6 ; by Mau- 
mee River 113, 122, 434, 470 ; were can- 
nibals 277 ; chiefs 105, 232, 371, 396, 
416 ; religious missionaries among 396- 



ALLEN COUNTY. 
400 ; U. S. pays debts of 415 ; number 
(in 1822) 434; sketch of tribe 433-4. 

Piaitkeshaws at Pickawillany (1749) 
95 ; a baud of Miamis 427. 

Putlawotamis join conspiracy of Nich- 
olas 91 ; regain favor of French 92 ; de- 
ceittulness in conspiracy of Pontiac 109 ; 
chiefs of 232, 260, 263, 266, 280-2, 390, 
392, 434-5* ; were cannibals 277 note ; 
ungratefully burn village of Ft. Wayne 
282 ; religious missionaries among 386-7, 
389, 407-9 ; visit President 392 ; sketch of 
tribe 434. 

Shawnees at Lancaster Treaty (1748) 
for sale of Ohio 94 ; bad character of 
117-18; Dunmore's expedition against 
129, Bowman's 139, Clark's 148 ; maraud 
Kentucky 132 ; sell American scalps to 
British 185 ; at Treaty of Greenville 
(1795) 231. 235; game of ball (1796) 
244 ; were intemperate 244, 438 ; religious 
missionaries among 392-6 ; names 370-1 ; 
were kept from aiding British in War 
of 1812 by Quakers 393; death sen- 
tence for witchcraft stopped by Quakers 
393-4 ; chiefs 231, 370-1, 394, 436-7. 564 ; 
sketch of tribe 436 ; Kickapoos offshoot 
from 436 ; number and removal of west 
of Mississippi 438-9.. 

Twighlwighs, Twixtwees, etc., see Mi- 
amis 427. 

Wyandots conspire with Nicholas 
against French 90 ; return to Sandusky 
92 ; in conspiracy of Pontiac 109 ; bad 
character of 118; chiefs 90. 231, 370; 
385 ; few friendly to Americans in War of 
1812, 341, 345-6, 365 ; scouts for Amer- 
icans 345-6 ; names 370 ; intemperate 
385 ; religious missionaries among 3S5, 
400 ; sketch of the tribe 441 ; Charles 
Uickens mentions 441 ; number in 1822, 
441 ; the last of the Aborigines to leave 
Ohio 442. 
Adams, Benoni 579, James 518, Phineas 

536, Charles F. 625. 
Adams County, Indiana 4, 5. 
Agents, superintendents and peace messeng- 
ers to the Aborigines 104, 111, 121, 124, 
126-7, 129-30, 134, 149, 159-60, 178-9, 
208, 213, 252, 254, 259, 262-4, 267, 279, 
365, 367, 373, 380-2, 388-9, 394, 401. 
406-7, 410, 416, 438, 441, 565, 567. 
.\griculture and domestic arts, efforts to 
teach to Aborigines 385-6, 391-3, 395, 
399-400, 403, 408, 414-15. 
Aldrich, Alpheus A. timberman 542. 
Aldridge, Abraham (1834) 560. 
Alexander, Rev. John, Methodist 560. 
Allen, Col. John 274, 292, 309, Capt. Sam- 
uel 570. 
Allen, Seneca 516, 518-19, 584. 
Allen County, Ohio 4, 519, 559* 
Allen County, Indiana 4, 550. 



INDEX. 



ALTITl'I)ES. 

Altitudes 16, 28, 41, 487. 492, 496; of 
cnnnl.s B99, 602, 612-14. 

Anderson. Jolin 397, 415. 512. James 560. 

Andrews. Oeoisc W. (1848) 564. 

Animals, domestic given AborlKlnes 259. 
395. 403, 413: dog the only one before 
held by them 71, 421. 

Animals, extinct wild 1. 61. 388. 

Armies, three British ngnlnst Pontlnc's con- 
spiracy (1763) 112. 114. 

Armstrong. Oliver 517. Lee 55-1. 

Army of the Northwest, under Gen. Ilarmar 
(1787-91) 91. 155-67; Gen. St. Clnir 
(1791-2) 169-74; Gen. Wayne (1792-6) 
177-241; Gen. Wilkinson 241; Gen. Hull 
(1812) 269-72; Gen. Harrison (1812-14) 
273-82. 288-358; Gen. Winchester (1812) 
282-90; Gens. Gano and MArthur 358-62; 
divisions of 290-1 ; continual need of re- 
cruits for 316. 318; Aborigines In 345. 
352-3. see also under Scouts ; advance of 
Into Canada 352-6. 

Army life. Incidents in 274. 294. 296-306. 
336. 340, 351-2. 

Arowin. Luke captured at Ft. Miami 99. 

Artillery in Hamilton's expedition and at 
Ft. Sackville 138; with marauders 141; 
with Gen. Harmar (1790) 161. 165; with 
Gen. St. Clair (1791) 175. 185; at Ft. 
Deflance 201. 224-5, of British 287-8; at 
Ft. Wayne 205, 277-8, 477 ; at British Ft. 
Miami 214, 239 : at Greenville Treaty 225 ; 
surrendered by Hull to British 272 ; at Ft. 
Dearborn 278; poor (1812) 304; want of 
306; at Ft. Meigs 321-3. British spiked 
325, sent from 352. 363 ; at Ft. Stephen- 
son 344-5 ; of squadrons ou Lake Krie 
350-1 ; captured at Battle of Thames 357 ; 
at Ft. Winchester 534. 

Aughenbaugh. Peter 556-7. 564. 

AuRlalse County. Ohio 1, 563. 

Avellne. Francis A. (1824) 550. 

Baker, Rev. S. 519, Charles 560. 

Baldwin, John T. 521, 570-1, Marquis 569, 
Eli 570, Tlbbals 570-1. 

Banks, Richard, Thomas and William 527. 

Baptist missions among Aborigines 406-9, 
412; received land for 409. 

Barbie, Gen. 209. Col. Joshua 284, 289-90. 

Barker, Calvin (Toledo 1867) 625. 

Barlow. Hiram P. ( 1823) 520. 

Barnett. Joseph (1833) 564. 

Bartlett. Hiram (1832) 572. 

Base Lines In land sur\eys 590. 

Bashore. John (1834) 560. 

Battle. Sham at Deflance 1813. 352. 

Battles with Aborigines, at Parent Creek 
110. Bushy Run 112. Great Kanawha 128. 
Old PIqua \V.i. Ohio River 145. Miami 
River 148. Head of Maumee 163-7. Wab- 
ash 171-3. Fallen Timber 193-4. 195' 
196* 208-13, Tippecanoe 265, MIsslsslnewa 
304, Raisin River 309-12, 357, Thames 



BOWMA.V. ("ol John 
River 330-7, Maguaga 372. 

Baughman, Rev. John A. (1825) 519, 569, 
Mrs. Charles 632. 

Baw Ueese, Pottawotarai chief 436. 

Beach, Schuyler .N'. (1849) 587. 

Bean Creek, see TIffln under Rivers. 

Bean. Edward (1837) 537. 

Beatty. Alexander (1834) 560. 

Beaugrand, J. B. (1806) 512. 

Becker. Jacob (1837) 530. 

Bellalre. F'eter (1820) 526. Gad 527. 

Heliinger. Philip (1837) 637. 

Bennett. Amos S. (1848) 564. 

Berdan. John (1837) 578. 

Berryman. Thomas and William 561. 

Bertholt. Peter (1832) 672. 

Binkley. F. H. (1834) 560. 

Billings. Levi (1837) 533. 

Bird. Capt. Henry commanded marauding 
savages 139. 141-2. 

Bison, American, extinct 1812, 1, 4» 

BIsscil, Edward (1832) 572. 

Black Hoof, Sliawnce chief 392, 394, 436. 

Black, Dr. Samuel (1834) 560. 

Black Swamp 2, 303, 443. 

Blair. John (1825) 530. 

Blalock. George (1810) 512. 517. 

Blossom. Ansel (1824) 655-6. 

Blue Jacket, Shawnee chief 176. 213. 231, 
235 ; a British officer 238, 243 ; daughter 
Nancy Stewart 372 ; In 1792, 383 ; son 
George 396 ; description of with lodge and 
family at Defiance (1792) 437. 

Boats, military 289 note, 317, 325, 471, 475, 
493, 515 ; canoes 444* 445* pirogues 446* 
467 passim; commercial 478-9, 510; 
lower Maumee and Lake 479-81, 482* 
483* 

Bondie, Antolne reports plans of British and 
savages 280. 

Boon, Daniel a prisoner 132. 

Boonsboro marauded (1778) 132. 

Booth. Capt. Samuel (1872) 542. 

Bo.stwick. William H. (1820) 521. 

Boundary between Aborigines and settlers, 
French-British 120, 181 ; United States- 
Aborigine treaty 153, 158, 227, see also 
Treaties; American-British 149. 

Bouquet, Col. Henry requested to send small- 
pox among Pontiac's hostile Aborigines 
111; sketch of 112; Battle of Bushy Run 
112; army for Ohio 118; new mode of 
dealing with the savages 119; captives 
surrendered to 119-20; campaign com- 
pared with Col. Bradstreet's 120, 

Bourie, Louis (1815) 546. 

Bourke, Thomas captured at Ft. Miami 99. 

Bourne, Alexander U. S. Agent 517. 

Bowen. William (1837) 554, 561. 

Bowers, Samuel 529, Abraham 560. 

Bowling Green, eapitol Wood Co. 520. 

Bowman, Col. John disperses Shawnccs In 
Ohio (1779) 139. 



INDEX. 



BOYER. 

Boyer, Lieut, diary of Gen. Wayne's cam- 
paign to Maumee River (1794) 189-206. 

Bradley, Samuel R. (1837) 578. 

Bradstreet, Col. John led army against Pon- 
tiac's savages and was deceived by them 
114 ; bad effect of 118 ; opinion of Dcla- 
ware.s and Shawnees 118 : campaign com- 
pared with Col. Bouquet's 118-20. 

Braucher. Allen 530 note, Christopher 537, 
Isaac E. 537, 554. 

Brechbill, Henry (1835) 537. 

nrenton. Samuel (1847) 593. 

Brewer, James A. (1837) 554. 

Brickell. John captive with Aborigines 174, 
193, 219, 224. 

Bridenbaugh, Frederick 528, 530 note, Peter 
528. 

Bridge, first across lower Maumee 522; fund 
tor 585 ; at Defiance 587 : across Tiffin 
587. 

Brlggs, George (1837) 536. 

British, compete with French for trade with 
Aborigines along Maumee Sl-93, treaties 
with (1748) 94 (1761) 104 (1763) 114 
(1765) 120; Claim America 82; French 
outdo them with Aborigines 85 ; under- 
price French 89 ; promote conspiracy of 
Nicholas against French 90 ; suffer from 
war parties of savages sent by the French 
92, and send war parties against French 
93 ; warned by French to keep away from 
Ohio 95 ; French capture four Pennsyl- 
vania traders at Ft. Miami 99 ; shut out of 
Ohio 100 : defeats of by French and Abor- 
igines 101 ; conquer French 103 ; diffi- 
culty with Aborigines from scant supplies 
104; Pontiac conspires against 105-112; 
suggest that Col. Bouquet send smallpox 
among Pontiac's savages 111 ; three armies 
formed against Pontiac's savages 112-14 ; 
bid for favor of Senecas 113 ; first 
entrance of soldiers into Illinois country 
123 ; broadly plan for control of Abor- 
igines 124 ; traders defraud Aborigines 
125-6; sell them metal tomahawks 125* 
religious missionaries suggested for Abor- 
igines 126; revival of French influence 
against 126 ; fear confederation of sav- 
ages against them by French but they 
federate them against Americans 127, 162- 
76, 178-8.'! ; appoint Henry Hamilton to 
incite savages against Americans 130, 
and ally them to themselves 130-48 ; en- 
courage savages at Detroit 131-42 ; buy 
American scalps 133 ; bids for American 
disloyalty 142 ; conduct toward Aborigines 
begot later troubles 150 ; arrogant med- 
dlesomeness with Aborigines cause of 
American trouble with 149, 151 ; refuse to 
turn over forts in American territory ac- 
cording to treaty 151, 152. 154, 156; 
again meddle with Aborigines 153, 154 ; 
again strengthen Fort Lernoult instead 
of turning it over to the United States 



CANADA. 
156 ; oppose peace between United States 
and Aborigines 179-81 ; build Ft. Miami 
and Ft. Turtle Island by lower Maumee 
(1794) 184, 474; assist Aborigines against 
United States 185-7, 192, 213-21 ; Shaw- 
nees present American scalps to 185 ; 
surrender forts in United States territory 
239 ; general bad conduct of 240 ; long- 
continued desire for country west of AUe- 
ghenies 221, 240 ; continue aggressions 
249, 254 ; conspire with Tecumseh 256- 
68 ; supply savages lavishly 2G3 ; plan 
for and promise savages indulgences 280 ; 
retreat from Defiance before Gen. Win- 
chester 287-8 ; massacre of Gen. Winches- 
ter's men 311, of Col. Dudley and men 
328 ; siege of Ft. Meigs 320-33 ; untruth- 
ful reports of 333 ; could but would not 
control savages 330, 353 ; maltreat United 
States surgeon 345 ; run before Americans 
355 ; captured at Battle of Thames 356 ; 
appeals to by Gen. Harrison for less 
savagery 358 note ; infamy of 362-3 ; kept 
their influence of American Aborigines as 
late as 1832, 423. 

British-French, wars from 1613-1747, 81- 
93 ; each claims America 81. 82 ; the 
Aborigines and their catch of furs the 
cause of their constant quarrels 83-103 ; 
difference in conduct 85 ; impossible to live 
as neighbors in peace 88 ; purchase each 
other's scalps 93 ; last British-French war 
in America (1754-1760) 94-103. 

Brown, Morris 518, Thomas 554. Absalom 
559. Capt. Hiram 571. James Irvine 572. 

Brownell. William C. (1837) 554. 

Brumback, John Santord, gives library 
building to Van Wert 630. 

Brush, Capt. Henry, bravery of 1812, 273, 
372. 

Bryan, capitol Williams County 536, 538, 

Bryan. John A. (1840) 536, 539. 

Buck. Enoch (1824) 529. 

Bucklin. Charles, Pauline and David 553. 

Buckongehelas, Delaware chief 176. 231. 
234, 426, 437. 

Buffalo, see Bison Americanus 1. 4* 

Burney. Thomas (1752) 100. 

Burrows, Arthur (1824) 529. 

Hurwell, Ephraim (1836) 539. 

Butler, John (1815) 553. 

Calumet, Aborigine pipe of peace dance 91 ; 
described 107 note; 123* 

Camps, sites of Gen. Wayne's 189-206, 191* 
plan of daily 197* sites of Geri. Winches- 
ter's 191* No. 1, 288, No. 2, 290-1* H 
295. J 296, No. 3, 296* 297* great suf- 
ferings with deaths at 295-298, 305 ; huts 
built 302. 

Camp No. Three, settlers at site 524. 

Camp, fe'tephen H. Toledo 1867, 625. 

Canada, American military expedition thru 
355, 360-1. 



INDEX. 



CANALS. 

Cunuls, Miami and Eric and Wabanb and 
Erie 596-619 ; right of way rcHorvcd 
thru Aborigine grants 412 ; termi- 
ni 600-1 ; junction 601, 613 ; feeders, St. 
Joseph River 491, 602« Six Mile Reser- 
voir 450* 602, 610, Loramlc Reservoir 
614, Grand Reservoir 615-16* Maumee 
River Dams 458* 613* ; congressional aid 
599-GOl : contracts tor malting 602-3 ; 
financial stress 602-4 ; wood loclfs 603-4* 
completed 602-5 ; summit levels 599, 602, 
614 ; varying dimensions 608, 612 ; Im- 
portance of 605. 609, 617 ; a national 
military highway 605 ; boats awaiting 
lockage at Defiance 606* passenger and 
freight boat speeds 606-7 : aid In clearing 
forest OOS-9; iron furnaces built by 608-9* 
steam power on 608 : electric power 618 ; 
partial abandonment of 610-11 ; enemies 
of 610-11, 616 : leased for seventeen years 
and depreciated 611 ; business at Defiance 
606* (1899) 611 note; two surveys for 
enlargement with size comparison and 
profile 611-14 ; cost and receipts 617 : 
speculative towns along 618 ; views along 
194* 450* 452* 453-4* 458* 538* 604* 
606* 613* 614* 615* 

Cannibalism of the Aborigines 70, 160, 277 
note, 331, 422. 

Canoes, easily and quickly made of bark 
445* 

Captives by Aborigines, adopted or tortured 
and eaten 69, 70, see also under Cannibal- 
ism ; cruel treatment of 109, 142: sur- 
rendered to Col. Bouquet 119 and some re- 
turn to the savages 120 ; surrendered to 
Col. Croghan 122 ; surrendered to Port 
Defiance 224, 235, to Gen. Wayne 235 : 
taken at siege of Fort Meigs 329, 333. 
Names of the few known : 
Armstrong, Robert mar. a Wyandot 372. 
Ball, Henry with Shawneos 1792, 523. 
M'Cullough, William mar. Wyandot 372. 
M'Pherson, James received land 373. 
Meadows, Polly at Defiance 1792, 523. 
Moore, William at Defiance 1792, 523. 
Slocum, Frances with Delawares and 
Miamis sixty-nine years 235, 418 note. 
Spencer, Oliver M. at Defiance 1792, 523. 
Spicer, William mar. a Seneca 372. 
Vanmeter. John with Wyandots 372. 
Whitaker, Elizabeth with Wyandots 371. 

376. 
Williams, Sarah with Wyandots 372. 

Carlin. James 512, 517, 552, 584. 

Carnegie, Andrew gives library building to 
several towns 628-9, 631-2. 

Carr, Solomon (1825) 555. 

Carter, William 512. 517. John 515, Samuel 
517, Erastus 537. 

Case, Isaac P. 514, E. C. 536. 

Cass, Gen. Lewis on British encouragement 
of savages against Americans 133, 142 



<50L0NIB&'. 
notes ; appointed Governor of Michigan 
Territory and Superintendent of Abor- 
igines 357 : incident in treaty at lower 
Maumee (18171 376 note; took active 
part in Obio-.VIIchlgan boundary dispute 
567-8, 576: see also War of 1812 and 
Treaties with Aborigines. 

Catholic, Roman, missions among the Abor- 
igines 65 : grant of United States land to 
374. 

Celina, Mercer County, platted 1834, 556. 

Coioron, Capt. sent with soldiers thru Ohio 
to tho Maumee to warn the British away 
95-6, 99 ; offers inducements for French 
farmer settlers 102 ; 471. 

Chaffee, William (1834) 560. 

Chambers, William (1837) 554. 

Champlaln, Samuel de explorer 1615-18. 
map of 75* 

Chappel, Joshua (1817) 516. 

Charloe. Peter. Ottawa chief 503, 558. 

Charloe Village (1841) 503* 558. 

Chartier, Francis (1822) 521, .584. 

Chautauqua, .Maumee Valley 450* 

Cbesbrough, Aionzo 542, Doctor 624. 

Chiilicotho 132, 139, 143, 216 ; near Head 
of Maumee 163, 165. 

CMiurches, first at Orleans (1819) 518, 
Perrysburg 519, Defiance 531* 532, 534* 

Clark. Col. George Rogers plans and executos 
his remarkable expedition for capture of 
the niinois country (1778) 135: cap- 
tures Col. Hamilton with his command 
and supplies 138-9; expeditions thru Ohio 
against savages 143, 148 : plans to cap- 
ture Detroit 144 ; against Wabash tribes 
154 ; unwisely organizes against Spanish 
155. 

Clark, Mrs. Phllothe Case 514, Dr. Jacob 
572. 

Clay, Erie 35-6 ; lacustrine 36 ; composition 
36. See also under Glacial Till. 

Clay. Gen. Green with twelve hundred Ken- 
tuckians arrives at Defiance 321. at Grand 
Rapids 325. at Fort Meigs 332 ; in com- 
mand of Fort Meigs 335* orders Col. 
Jolmson from Defiance 337-8 ; advances 
toward Canada 352. 

Clemmer, Robert ( 1835) 557. 

Clinton. Gov. George writes of British re- 
wards for scalps 93 ; replies to Gov. 
Jonqulere 98. 

Clippenger. Charles bequest for library 632. 

riosson. Josiah (1825) 561. 

Clutter. Amos (1834) 560. 

Cochran. William (1825) 561. 

Coflinbury, Andrew, poet 498 note ; 536. 

Colby, Doctor Jonas (1836) 536. 

Cole. Amos Henry Co. 1837, 554. 

Colenuin. Major 1823, 569. 

Colleges and special schools 595. 

Collins. Sanford L. (1831) 571. 

Colonies, American depletion of HI ; cost 



INDEX. 



COLONIES — Concluded. 

to for protection against French and sav- 
ages 124. 

Colton. Dr. Walter (1816) 520. 

Combs, Leslie messenger (1812) 305. 321; 
Capt. at Dudley's defeat 325-31 : Gen. at 
Fort Meigs reunion (1870) 523. 

Communication and transportation, early 
difficulties of 269, 299, 303-4, 306-7, 443, 
526. 

Comstock, Daniel O. 571, Stephen B. 571, 
578, Calvin 578. 

Conant, Harry 51S, Dr. Horatio (1816) 417, 
521, 564, 569. 

Connolly, Dr. John endeavors to turn 
Americans to the British 130, 156. 

Conspiracy, of Chief Nicholas against 
French in favor of British 90 : of Pon- 
tiac against British 105 : of Tecumseh 
against Americans .in favor of British 
256. 

Converse, W. A. C. Toledo 1864, 624-5. 

Cook, Daniel (1837) 557. 

Cooley, Rev. John W. (1834) 531. 

Cooper, Christopher (1837) 537. 

Coquillard, Alexis (1821) 547. 

Corniferous limestone, fossiliferous 6, posi- 
tion 8, water and iron of 14, composition 
IG, glacial groovings of 27, boulder 35* 

Cornplanter, Seneca chief friendly to United 
States (1792) 178. 

Cory, Elnathan 552, David J. S. 553-4. 

Counties, first division into 519. 

Coureurs de Bois or rangers of the forest, 
became libertines 80, government could 
not control and treated with them 81, en- 
couraged 85, in 1747, 92. 

Court at Detroit (1796) for Wayne County, 
incidents of journey to from Cincinnati 
242 : more courts needed 247 : Wood 
County court first in Basin 521 ; associate 
judges common pleas discontinued 558 
note. 

Court Houses at Defiance 534» 537» 538* 
540* Napoleon 554* Lima 559* Toledo 
576' 

Cowan, Miles (1834) 560. 

Co.x, Benjamin Findlay 1815. 552. 

Craig, .lames 527, Isaac 532, Susanna 537, 
Andrew 561. 

Crane, Oliver 527, .loseph 556, Valentine 
560, Harmon 572. 

Crawfis, John, Crawfis College 595. 

Crawford, George W. 1836, 536. 

Crawford, Col. William (1782) 147. 

Croghan, George sent by Gov. Hamilton to 
pacify Ohio Aborigines (1748) 96; sent 
by Sir William Johnson to hostiles of 
Ohio and southwest (1765) 121; received 
British captives 122 ; journal of 122-3. 

Croghan. Capt. George bravery and suc- 
cess of at Ft. Stephenson (1813) 344-6. 

Crozier, James (1833) 561. 

Cunningham, Col. James, T. E, and Dr. 
William 560. 



DELAWARE ABORIGINES. 
Curtis, Lieut. Daniel letter describing siege 

of Ft. Wayne (1813) 275-9. 
Curtis. Jarius (1843) 518, Horatio N. 

1S22, 527, 530, 558. 
Cushman, Benjamin (1824) 550. 
Cushoois, Lambert (1824) 550. 
Custom Houses, United States 582. 

Daggett. William (1836) 580. 

Dalzell, Capt. battles with Poutiac's con- 
spirators (1763) 110. 

Dances of Aborigines, feast 71. calumet 91. 
scalp 134* 438 passim. 

Daniels, James 559-60, Munson H. 572. 578, 
Willard J. 572. 

Dany, William (1837) 537. 

Doaust, Seraphin timberman 542. 

Darling, Henry (1833) 521. 

Davidson, Jonathan (1837) 536. 

Davison, Hamilton Receiver Ohio Land Office 
at Definnc? 539-40 (1834) 560. 

Davis. Walter 528. Jacob 537. Anthony and 
W. T. 550. J. Baron 572. 578. 

Defiance, deep water-wells 15 ; Moraine 27, 
28* 30» 40-1. 44. 454-5» Moraine Glen 
45* Glacial Bay 28* 30* 45 ; map of and 
vicinity 191* Fort built by Gen. Wayne 
192, 199* 200* its naming 207, report of 
217-18 : captives with Aborigines surren- 
dered at 224, 235 ; Fort in 1796, 236 : 
murders by savages at (1811) 267; 
scouts sent to 274 ; Gen. Winchester at 
(1812) 191* 288-91* 295-6* 297* Ft. 
Winchester built at 290-3* great suffering 
and deaths of soldiers from want of food 
and clothing 296-305 ; huts built by sol- 
diers 302; military road to (1812) 28* 
191* 284 ; British force with cannon pass 
for Ft. Wayne and retreat before Win- 
chester 287-8 ; Gen. Harrison restores 
order among troops at 289 ; sham battle 
between .soldiers (1813) 352; Chief Blue 
Jacket's cabin and family (1792) 437; 
site of in 1792. 523 ; soldiers first Amer- 
ican settlers at 524-9 ; Village in 1820, 
platted 1822, 526, in 1826, 533-4, incor- 
porated 1836, 536, in 1846, 538* in 1866, 
543* ; capitol Williams County 528-36 ; 
court houses 534* 537* Ohio and U. S. 
Land Oflices 539-40 : Fort Park and Cen- . 
tennial Blockhouses 525* 527, 540* Fort 
earthworks preserved 536 ; first churches 
at 531-2* 534* Shawnee Glen 532* 333* 
Aborigines at 477 (in 1826) 533-4: the 
timber center 540* 541* 542-4 ; large trees 
191* 544* ; first postoffice 580 ; 'Forf 
dropped from name (1824) 580-2: busi- 
ness on Miami and Erie Canal at 605-6* 
607 (1899) 611; libraries 628, 632, 633. 
634* 635* See also Fort Winchester. 

Defiance County organized (1845) 536. 

Delaware Aborigines, bad character of 
(1764) 118: Moravian band influenced in 
favor British 134 and taken to Detroit 



INDEX. 



vli 



liKLAWARE ABORIGINES — Concluded. 
iiO; some maHuacred by AmcrlcaiiH 
1 l(i-7 ; chiefs visit President and Krlends 
(1807) 392. 
Delong, David 529, 55."!. William 55.;. 
Dennis, Philip teaches aKricnlturo to Abor- 
igines (1804) near Ft. Wayne 387-92. 
Denny. Adj. Kbenozers' diary Gen. Har- 
mar's expedition (1790) 161-7, of Gen. 
St. Clalrs expedition and defeat (1791) 
171-3. 
DePcyater, MaJ. Aront Schuyler reports 
mode of British encouraKcnient to savages 
against Americans 133; conimandanl of 
this Basin 140 ; sends out savage war 
parties 141-8. 
Derum, Kllzabeth (1837) 537. 
Detroit, Ft. Pontchartrain built at (1701) 
87; Ft. Detroit described In 1765. 123; 
commandant of governed this Basin 129; 
Ft. Lernoult built to replace Ft. Detroit 
(1778) 140; headquarters of British dur- 
ing Revolutionary War 143 ; desire of 
Americans to capture 143-6 : forces at 
1782, 146; described in 1792. 382; Brit- 
ish retain notwithstanding treaty closing 
Revolutionary War 151, 154, 156, also 
Fts. Miami and Turtle Island built by 
lower Mauniee (1794) 184, 474; Ft. 
Lernoult strengthened after Battle Fallen 
Timber 215; surrendered to II. S. by .lay 
Treaty (1796) 239; scarcity food at 240; 
Gen. Wayne at 241 ; Wayne County pro- 
claimed with Detroit as capitol 241-2; 
represented in legislature at Cincinnati 
and Chilllcothe until 1802. 247-50 ; sur- 
rendered to British by Hull early in War 
of 1812, 272; desire of Americans to re- 
take 273-4. 284-5, 298. 302 ; retaken by 
U. S. Army of the N. W. 1813, 354; name 
of Ft. Lernoult changed to Ft. Shelby In 
honor of Governor of Kentucky 357. 
Dick, Thomas 512. 517, Charles, senator 

628. 
Dickinson, Rodolphus (1830) 536. 
Dils. Joel shiptimbernian 542. 
Dlltz, Peter Allen County. O. 1817. 559. 
Discipline, first civil and criminal 521, 550; 

imprisonment for debt 538. 
Dodds. .John F. Van Wert (1837) 557. 
Dongon. Gov. Thomas writes to M. de 
Denonville of Aborigines and boundaries 
83-4. 
Douglas, Ephraim V. S. Com. to Aborigines 
at close Revolutionary War, did not for- 
see dangers 149. 
Dowd, .John W. private library Toledo 638. 
Dragoo. William (1802) 396. 512. 
Drainage channels, preglacial 16-18; 
changed by glaciers 25 ; altitude of 29 ; 
of Glacial I..ake Maumee 37* ; present 
system 443. 
Dreese, &'. M. (1848) 564. 
Dresher. Simon (1848) 564. 
Driver, John 525, Thomas 580. 



FISHER, Isaac 

DubulsBon, Ensign was sent by French 
with soldiers to hold Ft. Miami at Head of 
Maumee against conspiracy of Nicholas 
(1747) 91. 

Dudley, Col. William at Defiance with sol- 
diers 32] ; approaches Ft. Molga 325 ; do- 
feat and massacre of 326-33. 

Duncan. Isaiah 555, Samuel 556. 

Dunmore, Earl of Gov. of Virginia expedi- 
tion against Ohio Aborigines (1774) 128. 

Durbin, James (1850) 555. 

Durphy, Mrs. Andrew, Paulding 1904, 632. 

Baton. Nathan (1839) 558. 

Eddy, Samuel Toledo 1837, 578. 

Edgerton, Alfred P. 539, f80, 587. 

Edwards, David (1837) 553. 

Elliott, Matthew deserts Americans for Brit- 
ish (1778) 133-4; buys William May 
from Aborigine captors 178; entert;iins 
American peace commissioners to keep 
them from accomplishing treaty with 
Aborigines 180 ; 186, 213-14. 239, 273 ; 
at Defiance (1812) with Invading army 
287 ; at siege of Ft. Meigs and Dudley 
massacre 328 ; described 329. 

Elliott. John (1848) 564. 

Emlen. Samuel. Eralen Institute 594. 

English, see Britl.sh. 

Eskar. in Indiana 43, 44; Highland In Ohio 
44-6» 

Evans, .lohn 527-9, 533. 557. Forman 527, 
533. 536, Pierce 527-30, 534, 554-5, 
Montgomery 524, 527, Rinaldo 527, Amos 
536. J. N. 554. 

Ewing. Samuel 516-17. 521. Samuel H. 517, 
519. Charles W. 528, George W. and Wil- 
liam G. 547. 

Explorers. Champlaln 75* LaSalle 78* Cour- 
eurs de Bois 79. 

Fallen Timber. Battle of (1794) 193-4; site 
of (1902) 195* 196» 

Fassett. Dr. Toledo 1832, 572. 

Fasting and pra.ver. day of in wilderness 
(1812) 351-2. 

Favour. William Loudon f 18321 571. 

Fellows, J. W. Toledo 1834, 572. 

Ferries, early 522. 52S-9. 579, 585, 587. 

Fiction-reading, extent and demoralizing ef- 
fects of 624, 626, 632. 

Flndlay. Gen. James 247, 269. 284. 288. 
552* 

Findlay City 9* water .supply 14 ; 551* plat- 
ted (1821) 552-3; 'Fort' dropped from 
name (1824) 581 ; library 630. 

Finley, Rev. .Tames B. (1834) 560. 

Firearms, fllnt-lock musket (fusee) 137* 
rifled (1764) 118; double barrel 144. 
172; pistol 175* ; 261. 263, 267, 274. 

Fish and Fowl of the rivers 447-8, 466. 

Fish, W H. Toledo 1SR4. 624. 

Fisher, Isaac near Defiance 1837, 537. 



viii 



INDEX. 



FIVE MEDALS. 

Five Medals, PottawotamI chief 282, 386-7. 
389. 390. 

Flagg. Junius Toledo 1837, 578. 

Fleltz, Domlnicus (1848) 564. 

Fletcher, Gov. Benjamin reports on quarrely 
with French (1696) 85. 86. 

Food, scarcity of and kinds eaten 140. 240, 
291, 297, 302-3, 358, 364, 513. 

Forbes, John G. Toledo 1827. 570. 

Forest, most valuable 1, 540-5, 608-9. 

Forsyth, Robert A. 417, 518, 566. 

Ports, prehistoric circular 61, 62» 63« 439- 
40: British in American territory not sur- 
rendered according to treaty 151-2, 154, 
surrendered in 1796, 239; utility' of 
among Aborigines 167, 266 : for refuge 
ou frontiers 1J9 ; blockhouses of 200* 
204* 270* 293* 338* 525* : in Maumee 
River Basin (1796) 236 (1801-3) 251; 
supplies at in 1813, 337 ; garrisoning of 
357; widespread 359; dismantled 1814- 
15, 363; Fort Adams (1794) 189* 190» 
in 1796, 236; Amanda (1812) 28* 289; 
Auglaise (1794) 216, 218, 227, 236 ; Ball 
(1812) 291; Barbie (St. Marys 18121 
284, 288; Brown (1813) 28* 502* 
Bryan 142, 148; Cahokia 135; Chartres 
(1717) 106, 108, 111-112, 123; Dearborn 
272, 276; Decatur (1813) 493; Defiance 
(1794) 28* 191* 192. 199* 200» 201, 
207, 217-18, 224, 235-6, 267. 475, 524-5» 
see also Ft. Winchester; Deposit (1794) 
28* 193, 194* 238; Deposit (1813) 28* 
308-9* 312; Detroit (for names of dif- 
ferent forts at this place see under De- 
troit) 1701. 87. 107-12 (1765) 123, 130 
(1778) 140 (1813) 357, 512 : Feree (1812) 
28* 291; Findlay (1812) 28* 270* 337, 
353, 552: Finney (1786) 154; Green- 
ville (1793) 182: Hamilton (1791) 171; 
Harmar (1788) 158-9; Harrison (1812) 
280, 407 : Harrodsburg 131 ; Henry 
(1776) 131; Industry (1804) 253. 308. 
476; Jefferson (1791) 171; Jennings 
(1812) 28* 284* 337; Kaskaskia 135-6, 
138; Laurens (1778) 1.3G, 143; LeBoeuf 
(French 1753) 109; Logan 132; Loramic 
(1794. 1812) 28* 216, 218, 236; 
M'Arthur (1812) 28* 269; M'Intosh 
(1778) 136, 148; Mackinaw 109, 272. 
360-1: Maiden (British) 239. 354; Mar- 
tin 142: Massac 135, 342; Meigs (1813) 
314-17, 320-33, 334* 338* 339* 340-3, 
353. 359. 363. 515. 523; Miami (French 
1686) 28* 86, 91, 95-97* 98, 103, 
106-9, 116, 120, 122, 126, 471-2; Miami 
(British 1794) 28* 184, 193, 198* 211- 
12. 214, 236, 239, 272, 512; Miami 
(1812) 272, 515; Necessity (1812) 28* 
269; Ouiotenon (French) 109; Piqua 
(1794) 28* 216, 218, 388; Pitt 112, 121. 
136, 146, 154. 159: Portage (1813) 312, 
342, 359 ; Presque Isle 109 ; Recovery 
(1793) 182, 184-5, 215; Ruddell 141; 



FRIENDS, Society of 
Sackville 138; St. tJlair (1791) 179, 182: 
St. Joseph 108, 472 note; St. Marys (1794 
see also Barbie) 28* 227 ; Sandusky 
(1755) 108 (1795) 221; Seneca (1813) 
28* 341; Shane Crossing (1813) 493*; 
Shelby (see under Detroit) 357; Stephen- 
son (1812) 28* 291, 344-6, 353-4; 
Steuben (1789) 159, 170; Turtle Island 
(British 1794) 474; Venango (French 
1753) 109; Washington (1789) 159, 161, 
170-1; Wayne (1794) 28* 203. 204* 
205-6, 217, 254, 259-60, 274-82, 294, 
380-1, 388-90, 546, 549* ; William Henry 
(1757) 102; Winchester (1812 see also" 
Deflance) 28* 191* 290-3* 294-8, 302-3, 
305, 307, 313, 337-8, 351, 359, 363, 524, 
534, 
Fort Jennings Village 284* 561. 
Fort Wayne Village and City, deep water- 
wells 15; burned (1812) 275; short sword 
of Aborigines found at 279* annuities 
paid at 377, 411 ; in 1804, 389, In 1820. 
407-8, in 1823, 548-50 ; incorporated 
1825, 551 ; first U. S. postofHce 580, 582 ; 
views of in 1902, 449* 548* 549* 
libraries 629, 632-3. 
Fortiner, Joseph captured at Ft. Miami 99. 
Fourth of July celebrations of soldiers in 

the forest (1795) 225 (1813) 340-1. 
Frakes, Nathan (1822) 552. 
Frantz. Joseph (1837) 536. 
Frederick. Samuel (1837) 553. 
Freedy, J. C. (1837) 537. 
Freeman. — peace messenger murdered by 

Aborigines 178. 
Freeman, Norman L. 521, 584. 
French the first explorers and cartographers 
75-80 ; war with British 81-103 ; coureurs 
de bois 80, 81, mix their blood freely 
with that of Aborigines 80 ; claim Amer- 
ica 82 : oppose British advances 83 ; ad- 
vantages over British 85 ; build and 
strengthen posts along Maumee (1680- 
86) 86-7; charge British with teaching 
Aborigines to use poison 86 ; underprlced 
by Ih-itish 89 : British promote conspiracy 
of Nicholas against 90 ; send savage war 
parties against British 92, 102 ; warn 
British to keep away from Ohio 95 : cap- 
ture four Pennsylvania traders at Ft. 
Miami 99 ; shut British out of Ohio 100 : 
defeat the British 101 ; encourage French 
colonists 102 ; overthrown by British 103 ; 
taught Aborigines to claim Ohio 103 ; 
promote conspiracy of Pontiac against 
British 105, 120 ; bad character of many, 
at Ft. Miami (1765) 120. 122. at De- 
troit 123; 138, 153, 169, 245-6, 249, 
422-3 ; scheme to separate the West from 
the United States 183. 244-6 ; individuals 
favor United States 212, 217, 221. 223, 
280, 310, 515: timbermen 541* 542. 
Friends. Society of (Quakers) influence al- 
ways for peace 114, 392 : missions to the 



INDEX. 



FUIKNDS, Society of — Concliidod. 

Ahorlglnos 382-96; to Dutrolt (179t-2) 
382-4; (1795) 384-5; to Wyniidota 
(1799) 385; (1803-4) 386; to Mlnmls 
and Pottawotamis (1804) 386-92; to 
Shnwnees (1815-43) 392-6; tauglit aurl- 
eiiKiirc and peaceful arts 386. 392-3, 396; 
first manual training school in Ohio 393 ; 
tnught against superstition and stopped 
death penalty for alleged witchcraft 
394-5. 

I'^ronismau, Jacob (1837) 554. 

Fulton County Ohio, organized 578. 

Kulton. .iohn A. U. S'. Surveyor 567. 

Fulton Line .^09* 567-8, 573, 577. 

Fur trade, importance of and general in- 
clination to 81 ; British and French quar- 
rel about 84-6, 89 ; governments restrict 
87 ; British overbid French for 88 ; in 
1809, 260. In 1792, 176. 384; 550. 

Fusee, Fu.sll see undtir Firearms. 

Gage. .lames Lee at neflance 1826, 533. 

Galissonniere, Gov. de la writes to Ft. 
Miami (1748) 92; sends Capt. de Celoron 
to warn British away 95. 

Gano, Gen. .Iohn S. reports (1814) 358. 

Gardiner. D. E. Toledo 1864. 624. 

Gas. natural, discovery of high pressure in 
Trenton limestone 7, 9; origin of 10; 
composition 11-14. 

Gavitt. Rev. EInathan C^orrington. Metho- 
dist 403 passim ; 570. 

Geddes. James canal surveyor 599. 

Geology 6-46 : chart of strata 7. 

Gibbs, Almon (1816) 518-19. 564. 580. 

GIfford. Richard (1810) 512-17. 

Gilbert. Edmund (1825) 556. 

Gilson. Reuben H. 540. George 553. 

Girty family 134-5 ; George 134-5. James 
135. 275. 473-5. Simon 133. 13.^. 435. 
Thomas remained loyal to U. S. 135. 473. 

Girtytown, from James Girty (St. Marys) 
206. 227. 275. 473, 492; by Maumee 475. 

Glacial Till (or drift) 16, 33, 35; com- 
position 30 ; arrangement and thickness 
36. 

Glacier.s, evidences of extinct 18* 19* 27 ; 
epochs of 19; groupings 20; till of 16. 

30, 33, 35 ; movements and load 25, 26. 
28* 30* 34* ; boulders brought by 18* 
19* 34* 35* 38 ; cause of 21, 29 ; date 
and duration of 21, 29 ; extent, thickness 
and phenomena of 23-46 ; the Muir in 
Alaslta 25* ; moraines of 26-46 ; directions 
of groo\ ings by 27 ; lalces caused by 29. 
40* 41* 42* 43* time-measurers since 

31. 32; benefits of 33. 

Gladwin. Maj. Henry commands Detroit dur 
ing Pontiac's siege 104-13, 115. 

Glover, Elias surveyor 1805, 517. 

(Joddard. Lewis (1832) 570-1. 

Godfrey. Alexander D. and Richard adopted 
by Pottawotamis 373. 

Godefroy, Jacques with Pontiac's warriors 



HAMTRAMCK, Col. 
at capture Ft. Miami 109 ; taken prisoner 
by British and released to accompany 
Capt. Morris 114, 

Gonard. Sawyer (1837) 537. 

Goodo, Patrick G. (1833) 661. 563. 

Gordon, Samuel and William (Deflance 
1822) 527, Joseph 580. 

Goss, ,Iohn (1837) 553. 

Governmental organizations, subject to 
military commandant at IJetrolt 129 ; the 
Quebec Act 129 ; Botetourt County Vir- 
ginia 136; Illinois County 130; suggested 
divisions 153* Ordinance of 1787, 157* 
Washington County 158 ; Hamilton County 
159, extended 177* St. Clair County 159; 
Knox County 161 ; Wayne County 242* 
divided in townships 246 ; first territorial 
Li'gislature 247 ; Ohio and Indiana terri- 
tories 248; counties In Ohio (1802) 252* 
Ohio State 251 ; Illinois Territory 256 ; 
counties 519. 

Granger. Aaron (1820) 521. 

Graper. Henry (1837) 537. 

Green. Mrs. Hester (1810) 514. 

Greenwood. Richard (1832) 572. 

Greer. Joseph (18291 556. 

Grillln. Benjamin (1837) 557. 

Griffith. Wiliiam 518. 537. Hiram 537. 

Groves. Jeptha (1837) B37. 

Guire. Leo Toledo 1823, 569. 

Gulick. Groves Hully (1837) 537. 

Gunn, Charles 516, 518, 525, 529, 534. 553. 
Christopher and Elijah 516, Richard 521. 
553, Carver 553, Horace 579. 

Gypsies, Aborigines compared with 441. 

Hackney. William (1829) 553. 

Hall. Henry Toledo 1867, 625. 

Hambloton. John P. Findlay 1829. 553. 

Hambiin. Don Alonzo (1829) 553. 

Hamilton. Alien Fort Wayne 1823, 550, 
633. Margaret 833. 

Hamilton. Gov. James of Pennsylvania 
sends George Croghan to pacify Ohio 
Aborigines 96 ; writes to Gov. George 
Clinton 98. 

Hamilton, Henry sent to Detroit as Lieut. 
Gov. and fe'upt. Aborigine affairs 130; 
sends war parties of Aborigines against 
American settlers 132-38 ; buys American 
scalps 133 ; encourages and receives 
American deserters 134; indicted at Mon- 
treal for tyranny to British subjects 136 ; 
allies Aborigines to British 137 ; marches 
up Maumee for Vlncennes 137. 471-2; 
captures Ft. Sackville. and surrenders to 
Col. Clark 138 : supplies also captured by 
Clark who sends Hamilton to Virginia 
139. 

Hammond. Mordecai (1828) 553. 

Hamtramck. Col. .Iohn Francis effects treat- 
ies with .Aborigines 177 ; at Battle of 
Fallen Timber 209 ; names and commands 
Ft. Wayne 206 ; described 221 ; letters to 



INDEX. 



HAMTRAMCK. Col. — Concluded. 

Gen. Wayne 222-4, 236 ; letters to Gen. 
Wilkinson 237-9 ; takes possession of 
British Forts Miami and Detroit 239; 
died at Detroit (1803) 205. 

Hancock County, Ohio 519, 551, 553. 

Hanna, Samuel 550, 580, 600. 

Hanson, Samuel (1824) 555. 

Hardin, Col. John expedition against hostile 
Aborigines 159 ; with Gen. Harniar's ex- 
pedition to head of Maumee 162-5 ; defeat 
of 166 ; killed at the Maumee by Abor- 
igines as a peace messenger 178. 

Harmar, Gen. Josiah takes Vincennes from 
Gen Clark's garrison 155 ; expedition thru 
Ohio 160 ; expedition to head of Maumee 
161-7; defeated by hostile Aborigines 
164-6 ; resigns commission 167 ; 170. 

Harris, 561 ; William U. S. Surveyor 

567 ; Henry B. Defiance 625. 

Harris Line 309" 567, 573. 577. 

Harrison, Gen. William Henry, on Gen. 
Wayne's staff at Battle Fallen Timber 210 ; 
chosen secretary N. W. Ter. (1798) 246; 
first representative from N. W. Ter. to 
U. S. Congress 247 ; appointed first Gover- 
nor Indiana Ter. and Supt. Aborigine 
affairs 248 ; effects treaties with Abor- 
igines 252-3 ; reports conspiracy of 
Tecumseh 258-67 : in treaty with Abor- 
igines at Ft. Wayne 259 ; receives visit 
from Tecumseh and his hostile band 262 ; 
sends peace messengers to the 'Prophet' 
264 : commands in Battle of Tippecanoe 
265 ; commissioned General by Kentucky 
and United States 273 ; marches thru 
Ohio to relief of besieged Ft. Wayne 
274-5 ; Incident in army life 274 ; yields 
command to Gen. Winchester 283 ; de- 
scribes path from Ft. Wayne to Detroit 
2S4 ; appointed commander Army -of the 
Northwest 285 ; restores order at Defiance 
289; plans Ft. Winchester 290; difficulties 
of situation 298. 302-3. 306-7, 313, 317- 
18 ; orders to right wing 299 ; orders to 
left wing 313 ; builds Ft. Meigs 314 ; por- 
trait 314* ; smcce^sful defense of Ft. 
Meigs against British siege guns 320-33 ; 
address to garrison at beginning siege of 
Ft. Meigs 322 ; successful strategy 332 
note ; activity of 353 ; advance into Canada 
and captures British army at Battle of 
Thames 356 ; appeals to British for less 
savagery, goes to Niagara, resigns com- 
mission 358 ; presidential political meet- 
ing site Ft. Meigs (1840) 522. 

liars, R. Ft. Wayne 1824, 550. 

Harvey, Isaac and Henry mission workers 
among Shawnees 393-6. 

Haskins. CoUlster (1820) 521, 587. 

Hathaway, Otis (1832) 571. 

Hawley, David W. 1817, 517. 

Haymaker, William D. 1849, 588. 

Hays, John U. S. Agent at Ft. Wayne 380. 

Heald, Capt Nathan commands Ft. Wayne 



HULL., David 
205 : reports hostilities from Ft. Dear- 
born 266 ; evacuates Ft. Dearborn 276. 

Heath, Joseph (1837) 554. 

Heathcote, Col. Caleb writes ot French in- 
citements of Aborigines 88. 

Heatley, Moses (1824) 527. 

Hedges. John P. (1814) 546, 555, 592, Wil- 
liam B. 555-6. 

Helfenstein, Judge William 562. 

Henderson, W. L. (1831) 560. 

Henry County, in Auglaise Township 553, 
555, organized 554. 

Henry. Dr. William (1834) 560. 

Herrick, J. S. (1827) 518. 

Hibbard. A. G. Toledo 1837. 578. 

llickok, Ambrose 512, 517, Chloe 517. 

Hicks, Henry W. and Samuel 539. 

Hicksville platted 539, P. O. 580. 

lliggins. Judge David 521, 535, 555. 

Hilton, Joshua 527, 534. Jesse 529, Horace 
534, John 536, Brice 588. 

Hively, John, ,Tacob, Joseph, Michael and 
Thomas 537. 

Holbrook. George W. (1848) 563. 

Hollister, John 417. 516. 518, 521, 525, 
566, William 516, George and Frank 525, 
Benjamin Frank 558. 

Holman, Joseph 547. 550. 

Holmes, Elizabeth (1825) 570. 

Holmes, Ensign receives surrender Ft. 
Miami from French (1760) 103; com- 
mands Ft. Miami (1763) 106; reports 
conspiracy of Pontiac 107 ; murdered by 
Miamis 108, 114. 

Home, early in the wilderness 513* ; a 
beginner's in the stove era 558* ; a first 
in Putnam County 561* 

Holt, Judge George B. 556, 560. 

Hopkins, W. H. (1849) 587. 

Hornish, John (1836) 537. 

Horton, Hannah and Sophronia 570. 

Howard, Robert A. (1850) 579. 

Hoyt, Stephen (1810) 512. 

Hubbard, Eli (1823) 569-70. 

Hubbell, Daniel (1820) 519-20. 

Hudson, James 536, John 558. 

Huestes, A. C. Pres. Ft. Wayne Coll. 593. 

Huff, Abraham (1828) 552-3. 

Hughes, Henry. Dennison and Samuel 527. 
Isaiah 530, Edward 537, Richard 554. 

Hull, William appointed Gov. Michigan Ter- 
ritory 253 ; superintendent Aborigine 
affairs and treats with them 254-6 ; re- 
ports conspiracy of Tecumseh with British 
258-68 : given command Ohio troops 269, 
and Army of the Northwest 271 ; his 
military road 28* 269-71, ford of Maumee 
271 : his thoughtlessness, loss of commis- 
sion, muster rolls and baggage 271 ; 
orders Ft. Dearborn evacuated 272 ; sur- 
renders Detroit to British without battle 
272. 

Hull, David 512, 516, 518-19. 527, Levi 
515, Isaac 527, 529-30. 



INDEX. 



HUNT, MaJ. Thomas 

Hunt, MaJ. Thomas, commandH Ft Defiance 

(179S-G) 201, Ft. Wayne (1796-9) 205; 

passes up Maumee with 1st Regt. U. S. 

Int. (1S03) 475. 
Hunt, Gun. John Elliott. 205, 417, 620, 546, 

niU, 570, George 546. 
Hunter, Cyrus (1824) 529. 
Ilusted, 1!. (1885) 554. 
Ilulcbtns, Thomas land surveys 589. 

Ice Age. evidences, time, duration and epoch 
of 18-27. See also under Glaciers. 

Ii-e gorge in Maumee River 4t>0* 

Illinois Country, captured by George K. 
Clark 135; Illinois County organized 13il ; 
St. Clair County 159; Illinois Territory 
organized 25U ; conimunicatioii with 47U. 

liuniigrants, Fren(.-h inducements to 102; 
bad cliaracter of some British 128; large 
numbers in 1779-80, 140; sufTer during 
winter 140, 143; nimiber In 17.S0, 154, 
in 1788, 157, 23U. See also under Set- 
I iers. 

Iniplements of the stone age 47, 48. 50* 5.^)* 
58* 73* ; metal Introduced by Europeans 
125, 444. See also under Agriculture. 

Indiana, Territory organized 245 ; State 
540; Kno.\ (^^ounty JGl, 540; Itandoljib 
County 546 ; Allen County organized 4, 
550. 

Indians, misnomer. See under Aborigines 
and tribal names. 

luteniperance of Aborigines begotten by 
l*'rencb and British sale of intoxicants 80. 
9G. 10.-!, 104, 113, 110. 125, 130, 137, 
140-1, 149, 244. 257. 311; impossible 
later for U. S. to keep intoxicants from 
them 3G7. 369. 371 note, 383, 385, 388, 
396-8, 405, 407-9, 422 ; U. S. received an 
evil heritage 423. 426. 428-30, 432, 435. 
438. 441. 

Interpreters of Aborigine languages, impos- 
sible to get accurate 406. 419-20 ; Names 
of the few known : Simon Girty 135, ISO, 
Crainte, LaSalle, Christopher Miller, M. 
Morans, William Wells (233, 391), Abra- 
ham Williams. Cabot Wilson. Isaac Zane 

233 ; Knaggs 375 ; Francis Ducho- 

quet 395 ; William Dragoo 396. 
Ironside. George good opinion of Gen. Wayne 

219 note; at Defiance 1792. 523. 
Iroquois Aborigines described 439. 
Irvine. Gen. William reports on Detroit 140. 
Irving. I'ierre M. 572. Elizabeth F. 593. 
Islands. Blodgett 59» 505 ; Roche de Bout 
194* 461-2» Mission or Station and Whit- 
ney 399* 461; Preston 453« Girty 456-7* 
Dodd 459; Graw and Marston 461; Hoi- 
lister 462 ; Ewiug. Garden. War Club. 
Hop. Sandbar. Willow. Corn. Muskrat 
334* 462 ; Grassy. Delaware, Clark, 
Horseshoe. Corbut 462. Kelley 18* 

Jackson, William 554, John 560, James 570, 
E. 624. 



LANCE, Samuel 

Jacobs, Samuel (1826) 559, John H. library 
Ft. Wayne 633. 

James, Jacob and M 637. 

Jennings, Col. William (1812) 284. 

Jerome, J. H. (1827) 518. 

Jesuits description of Aborigines early In 
17th century 64 ; early map of 77* ; 
abolished (1764) 381. 

Johnson, Sir Williatn writes of scalps pre- 
sented and no money to pay for them 03 ; 
sent to appea-so Poutlac's cousplrators 
104. 113. 120; plans for British control 
of Aborigines 124 ; suggests religious 
missionaries 126; death (1774) 129. 

Johnson. Col. Richard Mentor commands 
cavalry 288; activity of 337-8. .'(51-3* ; at 
Battle of the Thames 356. 

.lobnson. John (1821) 584. 

.lohnston, John U. S. Agent to the Abor- 
igines at I'H. Wayne 260. 389-90. 394, at 
Piqua 267. :i80. 406. mentioned by Dick- 
ens 441. 

Johnston, Jeremiah (1820) 521. 

Jolley. David and James (1825) 528. 530. 
Elisha 560. 

Jones. Darius 537. Edmund S. 553. 

.lonquiere. Gov. writes to Gov. Clinton of 
boundaries and British trespasses 97-8. 

Kalida. (Irst capitol Putnam Co. 502. 

Ivaines in Indiana 43. 

Keeler. Maj. I. 1821, 568-9, Coleman I. and 
Mary 570. 

Kelly. William (1819) 518. 

Kent, Rev. John P. (1819) 518. 

Kentucky suffers attacks from Maumee 
Aborigines 130-48 ; supplies soldiers 
freely for all the wars 135 passim. 

Kepler. Samuel 527. 529, 537. 

Kercheval. Benjamin 380, Perry B. 546. 

Ketchani. George H. library Toledo 637. 

Kettle Holes, glacial theory of 39. 

Kickapoos. offshoot from Shawnees 436. 

Kies. Abigail teacher Ft. Wayne Coll. 593. 

King. Jesse 554. Charles A. 624-5. 

Knaggs. interpreter 375. James 412. 

Kniss. Jacob (1836) 528, 536. 

Knowles. John (1819) 518. 

Knox County organized 161. 546. 

Krauss. William. Toledo 1864, 624. 

La Balme, Col. Augustin M. killed near Ft. 
Miami (1780) 144. 

Lafontaine, Francis, Miami chief land to 
379 ; II. S. builds house for 413 ; 432. 

Lake-s, beaches of extinct 28* 30* 35, 38* 
3»* 44* 46* ; Maumee Glacial 28* 29. 
35. Whittlesey and Warren 31. drainage 
channels of 29. 37* ; yet existing : Brie 
deepening in later years 16. battle on 346- 
.''il, commerce of 480-1. 482* 483* in 
Indiana and Michigan 38. Clear 40* 
Hamilton 41* Big Bear Chain 42* iMae 
43* ; process of obliteration 39. 

Lance, Samuel (1825) 529. 



INDEX. 



LANDS. 

Lands, desire for (1766) 125 (1785) 153; 
boundary for Aborigines 103 (1765) 126 
(1785) 153 (1789) 158 (1793) 181 (1795) 
227, 250* (1805)253(1807) 255 (180S) 
256 (1809) 259, see also under Treaties; 
French 136 ; individual purchases forbidden 
151 ; unlawful settlements on and first pro- 
visions for surveying in Ohio 153 ; claims 
of Aborigines not valid 152. 442 ; claims of 
States ceded to U. S. New York (1781) 
145, Virginia (1784) 152, -Massachusetts 
(1785) 153, Connecticut (1786) 155 
(1817) 253; land companies, Ohio and 
Symmes 94, 96, 154, American 536, 538, 
Hicks 538; land offices (1800) 248. 
Wooster (1817) 517, Piqua (1819) 591, 
Ft. Wayne (1822) 547, Monroe (1823) 
591, Wapakoneta. Lima. Defiance (1848) 
591 ; Lauds to churches ; Roman Catholic 
374, to Methodist 402, Baptist 409 ; wis- 
dom of narrowing Aborigine claims to 
410, amount claimed by them ( 1S24) 
410-11 ; era of speculation in 538-42 ; 
United States Survey of 546 ; Land and 
Civil Townships and Sections 589-90* 
variance of 591 ; sectional surveys with 
Base and Principal Meridian lines 589- 
91 ; grants of to canals 600. 

Landis, Jasper 537, David 580. 

Lane, Judge Ebenezer 521, 535, 553. 

Langlade, Charles captures Pickawiliany 
(1752) 99. 

Lantz, George 525. 528, 530, 533. 

La Salle, Sieur de along Maumee River 
(1U69-70) 77. 464; portrait 78» 

Latitude and longitude, of Basin 1, Ft. 
Miami and Ft. Wayne 96, 97' Defiance 
191* lower Maumee 309* 467. 

Learning, Halsey W. 512. Thomas 512, 516, 
Ephraim H. 516, 521, Ephraim L. 584. 

Leavell, Benjamin proprietor of Defiance 
(1822) 526-7, 528-30, 533. 

Le Gris, Miami village chief 223-5, 232. 

Le Gros, Miami chief. U. S. builds house 
for 413-14, 432. 

Leonard, Henry (1835) 555. 

Lernoult, Capt. Richard B. builds and com- 
mands Fort Lernoult (1778) 140. 

Lewis, John (1822) 521, 536, James and 
Thomas (1837) 537. 

Libraries ; College 595. Public : Toledo 
624-5* 626, Way 627. Defiance 628. Fort 
Wayne 629, Bryan 629, Van Wert 630, 
Findlay 630, Lima 630-1, Celina, Colum- 
bus Grove, Ottawa, Paulding. Wauseon 
632. Public School 632. Private : Fort 
Wayne 632-3, Defiance 633-634* 635* 
636-7, Toledo 637-8. 

Librarians : Mrs. Frances D. Jermain, Willis 
F. Sewall. Mrs. Ann E. Frederick 627, 
Margaret M. Colerick, Jewel Fouke 629, 
Ella Louise Smith. Alice M. Walt 630, 
Medora Freeman 631, Catherine Travis 
632. 



MALDEN, Fort 
Lima (1831) 560 (1846) 559* (1902) 560; 

Public Library 630. 
Linzee, Robert (1834) 556. 
Lippincott. Morgan 559, Henry 561. 
Little Turtle, Miami war chief 165, 176. 

226. 232, 237, 265-6. 282, 265-6, 386-7, 

389-92. 431-2* 437. 
Locke, Robinson private library Toledo 

1905. 638. 
Logan. Capt. John Shawnee scout 274. 

death and burial of 301-2. 437 ; land to 

children 372. 
Lombard. Peter (1819) 526. 
Long, Maj. Stephen H. 548. John 553. 
Longueuil, M. de against British traders 

90-1 ; wishes smallpox spread among 

Aborigines 99 ; wins back Miamis by 

spectacular display and presents 100. 
Longworth, Rev. Enoch G. 559, 
Lord. Frederick (1819) 555. 
Louisiana Purchase quiets many dangerous 

schemes 249. 
Levering, F. 1823, 569. 
Lovett, John J. 517. 521. 
Lowry. John and Washington 554. 
Lucas. Gen. Robert 270, 572-4, 576. 
Lucas County organized 4, 564-75. 
Luckinbill. George (1837) 537. 

M'Arthur, Gen. Duncan with Gen. Hull to 
Detroit 269 ; continues in War of 1812, 
342 passim ; commands Ft. Meigs 352 ; 
makes expedition thru Canada 361 ; com- 
mands 8th District and reports 362. 

M'Bride. J. H. 1836, 521. 

M'Bryer, Andrew escapes from massacre at 
Pickawiliany (1752) 100. 

M'Clure, Samuel (1825) 559. 

Macomber, Albert B. 1867, 625. 

M'Connell, James (1825) 530. 

M'Cune, Capt. messenger from and to Ft. 
Meigs (1813) 342. 

M'Farland. Tarleton (1837) 537. 

M'llrath, Thomas 516-17, 584. 

M'lnnis, Robert. Charles, James, Philip and 
John (1822) 552-3. 

M'Kee, Alexander in 1774, 127 ; deserts to 
British 133 ; his offices and works against 
Americans 134, 143, 147-8. 185-7, 215, 
222-4. 238 note. 254, 261, 383, 471. 

M'Keehan. Dr. British maltreat at Maiden 
(1813) 345. 

MKeen. H. B. 1824, 550. 

M'Knight, Thomas R. Maumee 1820, 518- 
19. 527. 552. 580. 

M'Lean, John 563, Charles 578. 

M'Pherson, James 373, 381. 

Haddocks. James (1832) 572. 

Mail, first routes 579 : by canal packets 581 ; 
postage rates 581 ; postoffice receipts 
(1827-30) 582. 

Malaria (1792) 383 (1813) 339-40 (1821) 
408 (1871-5) 3. See also under Sickness. 

Maiden. Fort (British built 1796) 239; 



INDEX. 



MALDKN, Fort — Concluded. 

hL'udquurlers for suvagea diirlnK Tecum- 
seh-Urilisb t:()nttpiracy uuU War of lbl2, 
^(il : plan for buruliig 315 ; occupied by 
Aiuorican Army 354. 
Man, early existence of 47-9, in Maumee 
Hlver Basin 50* 52-4« 5U' G9« ,'-.8» Gl, 
\V>* 63* 
Mauler, llov. Solomon (IS^n) 5«9. 
ManuliiK, John (ISli.'J) G55-G. 
Manor, Peter kIvcu land 373. 
Manufactories, woodworking 542-4. 
Maps, of townships 1 ; of moraines, glacial 
lake beaches, Doflance Bay beaches, forts, 
military roads, drainage system, etc., 28 ; 
Highland ICskar 4(i, prehistoric mounds and 
circles 54, G2. 63; Champlaiu's (1G14-32) 
75; Covens and Mortior's (1G54) and 
Sanson's (1G56) 7G ; Creuxius' (16001 
and .IcsulLs' 77 ; important addition to 7S ; 
Basin of the Great Lakes and .Inliet's 
smaller (li;72) 79; Franquelin's of IG82. 
79. of l(iS4, 80; Head of Maumee River, 
with prehistoric and historic sites 97 ; 
X. \V. Territory, Jefferson's plan for 
division of 153, by Ordinance of 1787, 
156, civil divisions in 1792, 177; Incor- 
rect of Lake Michigan 157. 566; Fort 
Adams 190; Defiance and vicinity 191, 
l''ort Ueliance 199 ; General Wayne's daily 
encampment 197; Wayne County (1796) 
242 (1800) 248, 249; Ohio (1S02) 250; 
Lower Maumee River 309 ; Fort Meigs 
316; meander of Maumee River thru 
Paulding Co. 450 ; meander of HIanchard 
River in Putnam Co. 498 ; civil and land 
township 590 ; Toledo double belt rail- 
ways 623. 
Mark. John (1834) 560. 
Markel, Eli and Jacob 537. 
Mar Poe (Marpau, Marpack) hostile Potta- 

wotaml chief 263, 266, 392. 
Marsh, George (1835) 557-8. 
Marshall, John 546, Charles C. 559, Samuel 

584. 
Martin, Rev. Jacob 531, James J. 561, 
Catherine 569, Elizabeth and Lydia 570. 
Masonic Lodges first (1817) 518. 
.Maumee Bay, important adjunct of Toledo 

Harbor 482. 
Maumee River Basin, situation and de- 
scription of 1-5 ; topography 2, 8* 33 
pa'>sim ; first outlining of 31; claimed by 
Five Nations and ceded to British (1084, 
1744) 82. 90, 94, 97 ; government mili- 
tary 1'29, 242, 250» 252; included in 
Botetourt Co., Va. and Illinois Co. 136. 
In Wayne Co. (1790) 242, in Hamtramck 
Tp. (1798) 246; State claims to ceded to 
U. S. 145, 152-3, 155; torts in (1796) 
236 (1801-3) 252; first election 246; 
claims of Aborigines to northeast part 
purchased and reservations apportioned 
255, see also under Treaties ; U. S. Trad- 
ing Agency In 260, 2G4 ; African slaves 



MINOOBS. 
265, 384, Pawnee Blaves 384 ; population 
1811 265. See also under Uovernniental 
organizations. Military movements and 
Northwestern Territory. 
Maumee Villngc 323» 518-20. 564, 566, 
568-9. 570. 580. 582. See also uniler 
Miami Village. 
May, William a spy among hostile Abor- 
igines (1792) 178; escapes and reports 
to Gen. Wayne 178-9; captured by Abor- 
igines and shot 193. 
Meade. Xenophon ( 1832) 554. 
Mercer County organized 4, 555. 

Meridian, Principal in United States Land 
Surveys 590. 

.Merritt, Samuel (1810) 512. 

Meshkcmau, Ottawa chief 255; anecdote of 
(1817) 375. 433. 

.\Ietea, PottawotamI chief 280, 435* 

Methodi.st Episcopal Church, first at Orleans 
(1819) 518, Perrysburg 519, Defiance 
531* 532, Paulding 558, Toledo 569-70; 
missions among Aborigines 400-5. 

Miami Aborigines, hostilities and promises 
of peace 120-1, 159-60, 282, passim. 
n\imber and condition of 3*)7-8, 427-32 ; 
villages plundered by La Balme (1780) 
144. destroyed by Gen. Ilarmar (1790) 
163-5, Gen. Wayne arrives at 202, 
Miamis invited to return to 222, short 
sword found at 279*. See also under 
Aborigines. 

Miami Village (within present Maumee) 
271, 512-17; also called Waynesfleld 
(J 81 7) 518; postofflce and custom house 
at 579-80, 582-3. 

Michigan, Territory organized (1805) 253: 
population in 1811, 265; 355; State 
(1837) 577; Ohio boundary 556-77. 

Military Movements (1686) 86, 464 (1693) 
405 (1697) 87, 465 (1702) 87, 465 
(1707) 465 (1712) 465 (1719) 466 
(1720) 466 (1733) 466 (1739) 466 
(1744) 466 (1748) 467 (1749) 467 (1751) 
467 (1752) 467-8 (1759) 468 (1760) 
468-9 (1764) 469 (1778) 471 (1779) 
472 (1780) 472 (1790) 473 (1794) 474 
(1796) 475 (1803) 475 (1812) 476 
(1813-15) 47G-7 (1817) 477 (1819) 477. 
See also under Wars. 

Military Posts (1680-6) 86 (1749-50) 95-6 
(1789) 159 (1796) 236 (1801-3) 252. 

.Military Roads dotted on map 28* 

Military Supplies scant 296 passim; accu- 
mulated by Auglaise River 314, 317, by 
.Maumee 317, 337-8, 359. 362. 

Miller, Rev. Joseph 557, Margaret 570. 

Mills and mechanics supplied by the ITnited 
States to Aborigines 373. 376, 379, 393-4. 
411, 414; first mills by settlers 459-60, 
487-91. 495, 498, 500-4, 509-11, 516. 
556. 571. 

Mills, Mary Toledo 1825, 570. 

Mingoes, Mengwees, see Senecas 134. 



INDEX. 



MISSIONARIES. 

Missionaries, see Religious workers. 

Mitchell, John F. 1834, 560. 

Mominie, Baptiste (1815) 517. 

Money, legends of buried 60 ; wampum used 
as 237 note; form in 1796, 241 note; 
scarce and at discount (1812-14) 358-9 
(1820) 526. 

Montgomery, James 380, Sbadrack 564. 

Moraines, St. Joseph-St. Mary 27, 28» 40, 
43, 44* 506* Defiance 27, 28* 30* 40, 
41, 506* Glen 45* Erie-Saginaw Interlo- 
bate 27, 28* 37. 39* Mississinewa 27, 
28* 37, Wabash-Aboite 27, 28* 37* 38. 
Salamonie 28* 37* Map of 28* crests of 
30* 37* 38* 39* 44* highest altitude of 
28* 41, soil of fertile 30, 42, 44. 

Moorehead, James (1837) 537. 

Moreland. William (1822) 552. 

Morey. Rev. Paul B. (1820) 519. 

Morris, Capt. Thomas ambassador to Pon- 
tiac's hostile Aborigines along Maumec 
(1764) 114; his life saved by Pontiac 115; 
persecuted by Miamis at Head of Maumee 
115-18; 427. 

Morton, D. O. Toledo 1837, 578. 

Mosher, William 537, Thurston 560. 

Mounds of earth 52* 59* artificial prehis- 
toric 54* 56* 59* circular 61, 62* 63* 

Mudgett, Oilman C. 558, 587. 

Mulligan, Benjamin (1822) 527. 

Murphy, Edward 553, David 561. 

Murray, Daniel 512-21. 570. 

Musser. Daniel and Martin 560. 

Names, Aborigine 370-1, 375, 412 passim. 
See also under Aborigines, Captives, In- 
terpreters, Librarians. Religious Mission- 
aries, Scouts, Settlers, Soldiers, and the 
Surname desired. 

Napoleon platted 1832, 554. 

Naval, squadron on Lake Erie 346-8 ; vic- 
tory of over British 348-51 ; Toledo 
Militia and U. S. Training Ship Essex 
485. 

Navarre, Peter 310, 320* 336, 416-17. 

Nearing. Guy (1823) 5^0. 

Neelon, Sylvester, timberman 542. 

Nelson. John reports difference between 
British and French dealings with Abor- 
igines (1696) 85-6. 

Newspapers 247. 521-2, 530, 550. 556, 578. 
584. 

Nicholas. Wyandot chief conspires against 
French 90 ; sues for peace 91 ; treachery 
o£ 92; burns Ft. Miami (1748) 92. 

Nicholas, Abraham S. 1834. 560. 

Northwestern Army 269. 274, 283, 290-1. 
See also under Army of the Northwest. 

Northwestern Territory, claims to by Five 
Nations relinquished (1684) 82 (1744- 
1784) 94, 152, see also under Treaties; 
claims of States ceded to United States, 
New York (1781) 145, Virginia (1784) 
152, Massachusetts (1785. 1800) 153. 



PHILLIPS. Horatio G. 
Connecticut (1786. 1805) 155, 253; map 
of 156* organized (1787) 157; letters 
from military posts reporting conspiracy 
of Tecumseh with British 258-68. See 
also under Governmental organizations, 
Maumee River Basin, and Military move- 
ments. 
Norton. Elijah H. (Toledo 1867) 625. 

Occonoxee. Ottawa chief 371 ; village of 
503* 558. 

Ohio, the center of Aborigine warrings 90 ; 
British purchase from Aborigines (16841 
82 (1744. 1748, 1784) 94, 152; new 
route to over A] leghenies 94 ; French warn 
British to keep away from 95, and shut 
them out 100 ; desirable as a British 
colony 101 ; Aborigines were taught by 
French (against British) and by British 
(against Americans) that Ohio belonged 
irrevocably to them 103, 181 ; organized 
as a Territory 248, as a State 251-2; 
Ohio-Michigan boundary dispute 556-7, 
570, 572-7. See al.so under Governmental 
organizations and Lands. 

Oliver. William 260, 281-2. 321, 564-5, 
Peter G. 519, 546, 566, John 536. 

Orwig, George B. private library 637. 

Ottawa. Blanchard River at 498* Capitol 
Putnam County 563. 

Ottawa Aborigines 91-3, 284, 371, 433-4. 
558. 578. See also under Aborigines and 
Treaties. 

Ottokee. Ottawa chief 416 ; Village capitol 
Fulton Co. 1851, 578-9. 

Ouiotenon 109, 169, 228 passim. 

Parker. Payne 0. 415. 527, 529. 

Patheu. John captured at Ft. Miami 98-9. 

Patten ( Pettit ?) Rev. Ellas 519. 531. 

Paulding County organized 4. 557-8. 

Paulding Village capitol Paulding Co. plat- 
ted 558 ; library 632. 

Peace, efforts with Aborigines for 157-60, 
168-70, 176-81, 192, 208-12, 217-40, 
382-4. 

Peck, E. D. plank road 1849. 587. 

Peltier. Charles and James 546. 

Peltries, see under Fur trade. 

Perkins. John (1815) 524-5, 628-9, 534, B. 
S. (1836) 536. 

Perrin, Mrs. Amelia W. (1810) 513. 

Perry, Master-commander Oliver H. victory 
over British on Lake Erie 349* 

Perrysburg platted 1816, 517, 520-3, 580, 
582 ; Way Library at 627. 

Peters, William (1810) 512, 517. 

Petroleum, discovery of in Trenton Lime- 
stone 7, 9* origin of 10, 11 ; product 12- 
14; refineries of 11* 572* 

Pettit (Patten ?) Rev. Ellas 519, 531. 

Phelps, Edwin (1849) 588. 

Philbrick, Thomas and Clark 530. 

Phillips. Horatio G. 408, 525-6. 



INDEX. 



PICKAWILLANY. 

I'lckuwlllany (1748) 94-5, 98-9. 

Pioneer experlencus 403, 406. 409 pasi^lni ; 

relics 53C* 
Pipes of Aborigines 5S» 73* 117, llil. i:iC* 
44J* Calumet or iilpe of peace yi, 107 
nole, i:!l. 123* 225. 
Pknia, old In 1749, 94-5, In 1780, 143; 

Fort (1794) 216, 218; 377. 
Pirogues (boats) 317, 446* 478. 510. 
Piatt, H. S. (1832) 571. 
Plum, Parrls M. (1820) 521. 
Plumnier, John (1815) 524-5. 

Poague, Col. builds I''t. Amanda 2K9. 

Poe, Rev. Abraham H. 5.'^2, Jacob 5.'j2. 
Pontiac, Ottawa chief confronts .Maj. Holers 
]0.1 ; conspires against Itritish and cap- 
tures forts 105* 100; retires to the 
Maumee, befriends Capt. Morris 113; 
meets Col. Croghan 121 ; visits Sir Wil- 
liam Johnson 123. 
Port Clinton, troops at 352-3, 357. 
Port Lawrence platted (3817) 565, in 1822. 
568-9, in 1832, 570 : first wharf 571 ; 
united with Vistula to form Toledo 572 ; 
postofflce 581-2; custom house 583. 
Port I.,awrence Township 570, 577. 
Portage^ protected by Gen. Wayne 219, 226 ; 
from lower Maumee eastward 311, 359 ; 
Maumee-Wabash (1774) 470 (1778) 
471-2 (1795) 474 (1803-9) 390, 479; 
River St. Mary to Miami 492; River St. 
Mary to Auglaise 493 ; Auglaise to Scioto 
and to Miami 497 ; from Tiffin 506. 
Porter. George 521, iClijah (1837) 578. 
Postal routes, first 579-82. 
Pottawotami Aborigines, tribe of 434. See 

also under Aborigines. 
Potter, Judge Emery D. 1840. 558. 
Powell, Thomas W. 1822. 520-2, 529. 
Powers. George (1849) 587. 
Prairie du Masque 530, 553. 
Pratt, William 519-21, Jonas 553. 
Pray. John (1S20) 519. 
Prentice. Joseph and Fredericlt 569. 
Presbyterian missions among Aborigines 114. 

396-9* first churches 519. 534* 
Presque Isle, upper 195* 196* 
Preston, William 524, 528-30 note. 
Priddy, Rev: John (1857) 559. 
Proctor. Gen. cruelty of at Battle of Raisin 
River 311 ; defeated at sieges of Ft. Meigs 
and Stephenson 333. 343. 345 ; defeated 
at llattle of the Thames 356 ; savagery 
and unfairness of 330. 358. 
Prophet, the Shawnee aids the conspiracy of 
Tec^umseh with the British 257* evil prac- 
tice of 393. cowardice of 394. 
Purcell. Alfred (1836) 536. 
Purdy. Daniel 512. 517, Samuel 559. 
Putnam County organized 4. 561-2. 

Qualters, see under Friends, Society of. 
Quebec Act. obnoxious 129. 



RIVERS. 
Race. Andrew. David. Robert and Wlliiam 

512, John 515. 
Railroads, first 619-23. 
Kalmond. M. commandant l"t. .Miami (1749) 

95-6 ; reijort of 99. 
Kalstoll, Joseph (I860) 545. 
Redoad. John (1815) 5)7. 
Reese, David (1834) 500. 

Relies of Aborigines 50* 55« 58* 62* B3« 
73* 123» 125* 208' 235» 279* 385» 442» 
of pioneer settlers 137* 175* 313« 363* 
535« 545* 
Religious work and workers, among the 
Aborigines : the Jesuits 65-74 ; for ad- 
justment of civil, military and religious 
.sentiment 113; sugge.sted to Uritish 126; 
converts to massacred 146; in ISO". 24li ; 
by the Society of Friends 382-96, Philip 
Dennis 387, 391, Isaac Harvey 393, Henry 
Harvey 395; Presbyterians 39G-400. 
Thomas 15. Huglies, James Sattcrfteld. 
Joseph Badger, David Bacon 39G. Marquis 
Ander.son. Ellsha Macurdy .397-8. Isaac 
Van Tassel, Leander Sackctt. Hannah 
Riggs. Sidney E. Brewster, Sarah With- 
row. William Culver 400; Methodist 40ii- 
405. John Stewart. Jonathan Pointer. 
William Walker. Anthony Banning, James 
Montgomery, Moses Hinkle. James B. 
Finley. Harriet Stubbs, George Riley. 
Charles Elliott 401, Lydia Bar.stow. Jacob 
Hooper 402. Thomas Thompson. Elnathan 
Ciirrington Gavitt 403; Baptist 406-9. 
Isaac McCoy. Corbly Martin 406. Johnston 
Lykins 407, Daniel Dusenbury 409; United 
Brethren (.Moravians) 383; in general 
410; among soldiers, Capt. Josiah H. 
Vose 205 ; 351-2. 
Reservations tor Aborigines and the United 
States 153, 411-13, 415-16. 517. 547. 
See also under Treaties. 
Rhea. Capt. James commandant of Ft. 
Wayne 205. 267, 277-79. 281 ; at Ft. 
Industry 476. 
Rice, Major 534. Ambrose 566. 
Rich, George 11. 1837, 578. 
Richard.son, Isaac 516, 521-2, 584. 
Richardviile, Jean Baptiste Miami .Aborigine 
chief 222, 378, 392, U. S. builds house 
for 413. 431. 
Richart. John and Frederick 537. 
Rickley. John J. 1848, 564. 
Ridenour, John (1825) 561. 
Riley. Capt. James U. S. Surveyor 546-7, 
556. 598. James Watson 556-8, Matthew 
552. William 572. 
Rinehart. Hugh T. (1848) 564. 
Rivers, early modes of crossing 404, 587 : 
have been great thoroughfares 443, 464- 
79 ; boats on 444* 445» 446« 479-84 ; val- 
uable for food supply 447, 466 ; effects on 
of clearing the forest 447 ; future storage 
dams 447 ; valuable as pleasure and rec- 



INDEX. 



RIVERS — Concluded. 

reation resorts 448. 

Aiiylaisi', map of 28* large boulder in 35* 
at Garman Run 56* Blodgett Island in 59* 
former forts by: Augiaise (1795) 216. 218. 
227, 23fi, Jennings (1812) 28* 284* 337, 
Amanda (1812) 28* 289, Wincbestcr 

(1812) 28* 191* 290-3 passim, Brown 

(1813) 28* 502* Gen. Wayne's military 
road 28* 216 ; Delaware Aborigines return 
to 305 : large quantity military stores 
gatliered by 314, 337 ; description and 
views of 496-505, portages from, channel, 
water-gaps 497, at Ft. Jennings 284* 
Cascade (Myers Mill) 499* at mouth of 
Blanchard 500* mills by 501-3, at Charloo 
5113* at mouth Powell Creek 504* water 
gages 504, channel, dispersion of water 
and How 505, entrance into the Maumee 
4U«, 525» 540* 

Augiaise, Little 28* 501* 502* 
Blanchard, Fort Findlay built by 28* 
270* Ottawa towns by 284, 371: mission 
work by 401, 405 ; description of 499- 
501 : meander of 498* mouth of 500* at 
Findlay 551* 

Maumcc. maps of, general 1* 2S* of 
the Head 97* thru Paulding County 
450* central 191* last thirty miles 309* 
view of Head 204* 449* origin of, size, 
course and length 448-9 ; origin of name 
and meander 450* tributaries, flood plains 
and channel 451* glacial granite boulder.'i 
in channel 19* 34* valley of 8* 52* 450* 
flow 448 ; water gages 448-9 : view of at 
Defiance 200* 293* 525* 540* Islands: 
Preston 453* Girty 45U-7* Grand Rapids 
458* Dodd 459. Graw, Marston, Mission 
461, Whitney 399* 461, Roche de Bout 
194* 461-2* Hollister 462, Ewing, Garden, 
War Club, Hop, Sandbar, Willow, Corn, 
Muskrat 334* 462, Grassy, Delaware, 
Clark, Horseshoe, Corbut 462 ; prehis- 
toric semicircles of earth by 62* 63* 
beauties of 454* water gap thru Defiance 
Moraine 455* first State dam of and site 
of Camp No. Three 456, 296* 297* de- 
serted channels and ancient natural dam 
457, 461 ; second State dam and Grand 
Rapids 457-8* former dams 459* ice 
gorge 460* ; Aborigine villages by 163, 
165 ; Gen. Harmar's defeat at Head of 
161-7; former Forts by: Miami (1680-6) 
86, 464, Miami (1749-50) 96, 467, De- 
fiance (1794) 28* 191* 192, 199* 200* 
201. 207, 217-18. 224, 235-6, 267, 475, 
524-5* Deposit (1794) 28* 193, 194* 
238, Deposit (1813) 28* 308-9* 312, 
Wayne (1794) 28* 203, 204* 205-6, 217, 
254, 259-60, 274-82, 294, 380-1, 388-90, 
546, 549* Miami (British 1794) 28* 184, 
193, 198* 211-12, 214, 236, 239, 272, 512, 
Miami (1812) 272, 515, Industry (1804) 
253, 308. 476, Meigs (1813) 314-17, 320- 



ROCKS. 

33, 334* 338* 339* 340-3, 353, 359, 363. 
515, 523, Turtle Island (British 1794) 
474 ; fort at mouth suggested by Gen. 
Wayne 221 ; view of at Presque Isle Bat- 
tlefield Fallen Timber 195* 196* a great 
thoroughfare 102 ; record of transit and 
incidents along 463-77 ; in lower course 
a drowned river 463 ; fords of : at Ft. 
Wayne 204, at Defiance 200* 585, Hull 
28* 271, near foot of lowest rapids 300, 
404, 585, Winchester 287*; 587: 
soldiers along, see under Military move- 
ments ; British cannon in at Defiance 288 ; 
French account of in 1718, 466; Count de 
Volney along 474 ; Friends account of 
(1804) 475-6; mission by 339* Aborigines 
later along 477-8, reservations by lower 
414, 416; later commerce 478-9; river and 
lake boats 480-1 ; Toledo Harbor and late 
shipping 482* 483* boatbuilding 484* 
487 ; ferries 522, 528, 587 ; first bridge 
across lower 522, central 587 : the Maumee 
as a canal harbor 600, 606* 60S, 612 : 
Swan Creek, prehistoric earthworks by 63* 
Aborigines by 219, port of 239, an adjunct 
to Toledo Harbor 482, early mills by 516, 
571. 584, Port Lawrence 565. as canal 
harbor 600, 610, 612. 

Ottawa of the Maumee, an adjunct of 
Toledo Harbor 482, 498 note. 

Ottawa of the Augiaise, view of at Lima 
559* description of 498. 

St. Joseph, maps of 1* 28* sources 40* 
41* 42* 43* Fort Miami by (1749-50) 
95, 97* source, length, direction, channel, 
area drained 487 ; tributaries, lakes, niills 
488-9* 490* 491; portages from 487; 
terraced banks 490 ; discharge 491. 

St. Mary, maps of 1* 28* sources, water 
gap thru St. Mary Moraine, described in 
1749 and 1783, 492 ; Fort Miami by 
(1680-6) 95, 97* Forts Adams and St. 
Mary (1794) Barbee (1812) Shane and 
Decatur (1813) 493; portages from 472, 
474, 479, 492-3 ; boats and boating on 
303. 493-4 ; general course, fall, water- 
shed, meander 303, 494 ; abandoned chan- 
nels of 495 ; mill sites by 495. 

Tiffin. 'Bean Creek' 213, sources and 
portages from 506* channel, meander, 
length 507* 509* 510* French names and 
origin 508 ; mills and commerce of 509- 
11 ; meander of 590* 

Roads, military 28* 242, 299, 303-4, 306-7; 
first post-roads 249, 256 ; public 529-30, 
583-6, turnpike 587, plank 587-8, gravel 
and stone 588-9. 

Robb, Scott (1815) 516. 

Robertson, Col. Robert S. 55, 632. 

Roche de Bout 194* 461-2* 475-6. 

Rocks, chart of strata 7 ; Corniferous Lime- 
stone 6, 8, 14, boulder 35* Trenton Lime- 
stone 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, porosity of 9, 14, 



INDEX. 



ROCKS — Concluded. 

gus and petroluum from 9-11 ; potable 
water Crom 14. 15 ; drillings thru strata 
lu, IZ, 14, la; composition of lu, 18; 
gUu'lor grooved 18* 19* 27. 34* granite, 
foreign or erratic brought by glacier 18* 
ISi* -'i, 30, 34« 3«« 

Hockford (Shane Crossing! P. O. 582. 

Ungers, Maj. Uobert meets Pontia<\ and re- 
ceives surrender of Detroit from Kiench 
103. 

Kohu, William iCamp No. Three 1822) 
Charles and Samuel 537. 

Hoot, Abner (1851) 540, .John 570. 

Rundell, John H. 1837, 554. 

Russell, William 555, Andrew 559. 

St. tnair, Gov. and Gen. 130, 15()-8, Itil, 
o.x|>edltion against hostile Aborigines and 
signally defeated by them 169-74, 17G-7 ; 
opposed organization of Ohio as a State 
251. 

St. Marys City 555, 580, 582. 

Sandusky 91-2, 108, 114. 126, 218, 220, 
228, 264. 

Sanford, John M. 1837, 537. 

Sarbar, Christian (1834) 502. 

Saigent, Joseph and Samuel A, 587. 

Savagery encouraged by British 130-42 
passim ; begot hatred that endures 358 
note. 

Savages, see under Aborigines. 

Scalps, human 70, Kreneh buy 85 ; IJritish 
and French buy eaib other's 92-3 ; 131* 
American bought by British 133, 185 ; 
scalp dance 134* scalp parade 168 ; dis- 
play and use of 329, 384 ; wolf-scalps, 
bounty on used to pay taxes 534. 

Schools, land for Aborigines 374, 376, 402, 
409, manual training for 392-3, 395, 
400-3, 409, 595 ; township School Sections 
of land 591 ; private and public 591-6 ; 
for negroes 594. 

Schrauf, Sebastian (1825) 561. 

Scott, Gen. Charles successful e-xpedition 
against hostile Aborigines 169 ; joins Gen. 
Waynes campaigli 188; disciplines 
soldiers 203 ; suggests name of Fort L)e- 
Qance 207 ; in Battle of Fallen Timber 
209 ; prompUiess with soldiers as Gover- 
nor of Kentucky 273. 

Scott, Jesup W. 521, manual training 595, 
John 537, Moses 550, Thomas 555-6. Wil- 
liam 560. 

Scouts, daring deeds of American 186-8; 
John McDonald 184 ; Capts. Ephraim 
Kibby and William Wells 186 ; Robert 
M'Clellan, Henry and Christopher iMiiler, 
— Hickman 187, 286, — Thorp 187 ; 
John Logan 274, 301-2, 372 ; Capt. Bal- 
lard. Lieut. Harrison Munday, lilnsigu Leg- 
gctt 286 ; A. Kiddle 286. 302. 305 ; Ser- 
geant M'Coy 287 ; Bright Horn and Light- 
foot 301-2. 



SLOCUM. Charles E. 

Serlbncr, Abrarn and U. N. 553. 

Seuians. William 528-9. 592, J. B. 532, 
Samuel 553. 

Sessions, Hoiaec (1836) 536. 

Settlors, llrst American at lower Maumee 
255, 512-18. 56 1-6. 569-70, Incidents of 
513-18, suITerers from War of 1812 com- 
pensated 516; at Dellance 524; at Fort 
Wayne 546-51; at FIndlay 552; In Henry 
County 553 ; In Mercer County 555 ; In 
Van Wert County 556 ; In Paulding 
County 557; In Allen County, Ohio, 559; 
iti l^utnam County 561. See also under 
immigrants, and the Individual name 
desired. 

Shabonee, PottawotamI chief 435* 

Shane, Anthony 337, 372 ; wife of 408 ; 437, 
555. 

Shane Crossing 275, 493» 582. 

Shasteen, Edward and William 537. 

Shaw, John U. S. Agent 381, C. G. 572, 
Solomon 537. 

Shawnee Aborigines 118, 129. 132, 139, 148, 
436. See also under Aborigines, and 
Treaties. 

Shawnee Glen, Defiance 532* 533» 

Shelby, Gov. Isaac 352, 357. 

Sheldon, Rev. George (1834) 560. 

Shiptimber 541* See under Timber. 

Shirley. Robert 527-9. 534. James. Ellas, 
Robert. Jr. 527. Nathan 532. 

Shively, Amos (1837) 537. 

Shock, Jacob (1837) 537. 

Shuman, Michael (1837) 554. 

Sickness, sanitation and surgeons of the 
armies and Aborigines 181, 197, 199, 290, 
295-6, 298, 339-40, 345, 359, 408. 416. 
514. See also under Malaria and Small- 
pox. 

Sieges, of Fort Wayne 274-82, 294-5; of 
Fort Meigs 320-35, 342-3. 

Simcoe, Lieut-Gov. of upper Canada 176, 
179; efforts of to federate Aborigines 
against United States 183 ; builds Fort 
Miami by lower Mauraee and otherwise 
conspires against U. S. 184, 214, 217, 
382-3. 

Simmons, Rev. William (1825) 531. 

Simpson, David 563, John 552. 

Sinclair. John (Toledo 1864) 624-5. 

Sink holes of lake origin 40. 

Simms. Lieutenant (1804) 390. 

Skinner. Jesse 512. 516-17. William 517. 
Judge George 562, Robert J. 564. 

Slaves, African 265, 384, Pawnee Aborigine 
384. 

Slawson, James 512. 517. 584. 

Sleight. Joseph (1822) 552. 

Slocum. Frances captive with Delawares and 
Miamis 235. 418 note. 

Slocum, Giles Br>'an letter from Toledo 
(1832) 570-1. 

Slocum. Charles E. private library and 



INDlEX. 



SLOCUM — Concluded. 

museum of at Defiance 629. 633, 634* 
U35* 636. 
Smallpox wished among Miami .\borigiuea 
by the FreucU 99, to Pontiac's warriors 
by British 111; vaccination of Aborigines 
against by United States 416. 
Smith, H. T. 521, Timothy S. 527-30, 5S0, 
l.saac S. 539, Dr. Samuel 546, Daniel C. 
553, .\chilles 555, Andrew J. and Ezra J. 
558, Marniaduke 564, W. H. H. 625. 
Sneath. Mrs. Laura S. 1904. 628. 
Snook, Capt. William March commanded 

Fort Defiance in. 1794, 201 note. 
Snook. William and Wilson N. 527. 
.Soldiers, in Gen. Harmar's expedition to 
the Maumee (1790) 161-7; with Gen. St. 
Clair (1791) 171-4; with Gen. Wayne 
(1794) 182, 184-5, 189-90, 193-4, 197-8, 
201, 205-6, 209-10; in War of 1812, 269, 
271-5, 277, 282, 284, 280-90, 292, 294-7, 
299. .301, 303-4, 306, 308-9, 311, 313-15, 
317-29, 332-3, 335-7, 340-3, 345-7, 349, 
352, 357-60, .363. See also under Cap- 
tives, Military movements, and Scouts.' 

Sorcerers and superstition among Abor- 
igines 73-4* 257* 393-5, 427. 438. 

Siiafford. Maj. Amos 512, 567, 579, 583, 
Aurora 518-19. 521, Samuel 520. 

Spanish close Mississippi River to Amer- 
icans 155 ; plot to separate Americans 
.west ot the Alleghenies from the United 
States 183, 245 ; in communication with 
the British 185 ; did not surrender forts 
according to treaty 245, 249. 

Spaulding, Oliver (1832) 572. 

Sperger, Frederick W. 1822, 527. 

Spink, J. C. lawyer 1830, 536. 

Spotswood, Gov. Alexander opens road to 
Ohio (17161 88. 

Sprague, Rev. William 531, Sidney S. 5S7. 

Stacey, Oliver Van Wert (1837) 557. 

Stearns, Rufus W. 1834, 556. 

Steuben. Baron de sent by Washington to 
demand surrender o t British forts in 
United States territory 151. 

Stevens, Frederick F. 561, Oliver 572. 

Stewart, Dr. J. B. 517, Samuel 559. 

Stickney. Benjamin F. at Ft. Wayne (1812) 
267-8. 380, 546 ; describes siege ot Ft. 
Wayne 279-82 ; reports condition of Abor- 
igines (1817) 367; at lower Maumee 381; 
in Ohio-Michigan boundary controversy 
565. 567-70, 572. 574. 577 ; favors canals 
597. 

Stoddard, Stacey (1815) 517. 

Storts, Andrew (1837) 553. 

Stout, .John and Christian 554. 

Strong, Hazel (1S32) 554. 

Sugar-making by Aborigines 390. 533-4. 

Sullivan, Daniel (1825) 561. 

Sunderland, Daniel and William 561. 

Superstition, see under Sorcerers. 

Sutphen, Dr. J. V. D. 1827, 570, 572. 



TREATIES. 

Sutton. Joseph (1825) 561. 

Swan Creek, see under Rivers, Maumee, 

Taber, Cyrus Ft. Wayne (1835) 547. 
Tarhe (Crane) Wyandot chief 231; an Ine- 
briate 385 : a beggar 386. 
Taxes, paid with bounty on wolf-scalps 534 ; 
beginnings of 554-5 ; Aborigines exempt 
from 374, 430. 
Taylor, Pierce at Defiance 528, Israel 550, 

William 552-3. 
Tecumseh. Shawnee warrior conspires with 
British against Americans 256-68 ; visits 
Gov. Harrison with hostile Aborigines 
202 ; gathers force 282, 319 ; at sieges of 
Ft. Meigs 329* 330, 343 ; killed in Battle 
of the Thames 356. 
Telegraph and telephone 582. 
Territory Northwest of the Ohio River, see 

under Northwestern Territory. 
Terry. Robert (1834) 560. 
Thorp, — Findlay 1814, 552. 
Thomas, James B. 552, Rev. Nathaniel Ladd 

.■^57-8. 
Thurston, D. J. 1817, 51s. 
Till, see under Glacial Till. 
Tilor, Josephus (1820) 521. 
Timber 540* 541« 542-3 ; manufactures 

from 541 • 542-4. 
Tipton, John Ft. Wayne 1824, 381. 
Tittle, Jacob, Peter and George 537. 
Todd. Gen. 209, Ensign Charles S. 301, 305, 

Judge George 521, 535. 
Toledo, M'Carthy Village in east 375; be- 
ginnings of 565-72; named in 1833, 572; 
Harbor, extent and importance of 482, as 
winter port 483* shipbuilding at 483-4* 
naval militia and U. S. Training Ship 
Essex 485 ; petroleum refineries 572* 
views of in 1902, 576* 577* ; postofflce 
582; libraries 624-5* 637-8; War 572-7. 
Tomahawks of Aborigines, stone 58* 206* 
metal supplied by Europeans 125* with 
pipe 125* 442* 
Tompkins, Daniel D. 1834, 560. 
Town.s, abandoned 515-16. 518. 557, 580-1, 

618-19. 
Townships, first Hamtramck (1798) 246; 
Waynesfield (1816) 520; Auglaise (1820) 
520, 528, 553, 557; Perrysburg (1823) 
520 ; Defiance ( 1824) 529 ; Damascus 
(1823) 530, 553; Port Lawrence (1827) 
570; Land and Civil 589-90* 591. 
Tracey, David (1834) 560. 
Trading Posts, United States for Aborigines 
258 (1809) 259 (1811) 263-4; abolish- 
ment of 381. 
Travis, William. Forman E. and William C. 

525-6. 
Treaties, with Aborigines : 

Albany, New York (1684) 82. 
Lancaster, Pa. 1744 1748, 90, 94. 
Detroit. Michigan (1761) 104. 



INDEX. 



TRRAIIES — Ooneluded. 

Nliigarn (1764-5) 114, 120. 

Fort Stanwijc, N. Y. 1784, 162. 

Fort Mlntosh, Ohio (1785) 153. 

Kort Finney. Ohio (1786) 154. 

Fort Ilarmar, Ohio (1789) 158. 

Vlnconn<!s. Incl. 1792, 177. 

Phllndplphia (1792) 177-8. 

Grpcnvlllp (1795) 225-36 (1814) 364. 

li-ort Wayne (1803) 252 (1809) 259. 

Wabash (1804) 253 (1826) 411-12. 

Fort Industry, Ohio ( 1805) 253. 

Detroit (1807) 254-5. 

lirownstown, Mich. 1808, 256. 

Mississippi tribes (1815) 366. 

Spring Wells, Mich. 1S15, 30(!. 

Fort Harrison. Ind. ISIO, 3(>6. 

Lower .Maumee (1817) 369: tor removal 
(1833) 416-17. 

St. Marys, Ohio (1818) 376-8. 

Edwardsvllle. 111. 1818, 377. 

With scattered bands (1821-7) 380. 

For removal (1829-42) 414-15, 417-18. 

See also under tribal names 425-42. 
Treaties, with Franee tor the British suc- 
cession (1760) 103. 

With Great Britain, closing Revolutionary 
War (1782-3) 148-9: Jay 1794, 238, 
244: closing War of 1812, 362. 

With Spain (1795) 236. 

With France (1800) 249. 
Trees, large 195-6, 202; at Fort Wayne 97» 

544: at Defiance 191* 544* 545. 
Tremain. Calvin 569. 581. 
Tremainville 5i;n-70, ESI, 586. 
Trent. Capt. William (1752) 100. 
Trenton Limestone, lowest exposed and ex- 
plored In Ohio 7 ; gas and petroleum in 

9, 10; water in highly mineralized 14; 

depth from surface 15. 
Trevltt, Doctor (ISIG) 546. 
Troutner, .Joseph (1824) 550. 
Truman. MaJ. Alexander peace messenger 

murdered by Aborigines 178. 
Tucker. William 11. library 637. 
Tupper, Gen. Edward W. in War of 1812. 

273, 288. 291-4, 299-301, 313. 
Turkeytoot Rock 308. 
Turner. Dr. William U. S. Agent Ft. Wayne 

380. 407-8. 546. 
Tuttle. .Tohn (Defiance 1849) 588. 

United States, conspiracies against 130, 133. 
142. 156. 244-6, 249, 256; efforts of for 
peace with Aborigines 149. 152-3. 157- 
61, 170. 176-81, 208, 224-35 ; receives 
cession of State claims to this Dasin, New 
York (1781) 145, Virginia (1784) 152. 
.Massachusetts (1785. 1800) 153, Connec- 
ticut (1786) 155 (1805) 253: reser- 
vations of within Aborigine grants 153-4, 
158. 227-9: Trading Posts for Aborigines 
(1809) 259 (1811) 263-4. ungratefully 
burned at Ft. Wayne 282, abolished 381 ; 



I 
WAnREN. Thomas 

policy toward Aborigines 369, liberal to 
395 puHsIm, builds dwellings for 413, fos- 
ters religious mIsslonK and educatloD 
among 374. 399. 402. 409. 413, pays debts 
of 395. 415, 417, guards health of 416. 
could not wholly protect from use of In- 
toxicants 429, 441, see also under Abor- 
igines, Agents, Animals, .Mills; custom 
houses 512, 582 ; surveyors of lands 
546-7, 556. 
Upper Sandusky^ Fort Feree at 291 ; agency 
for Wyandots 381 ; religious Mission for 
Aborigines 401. 

Van Ansdall, Lucas 555, William 559. 

Vance, Samuel (1817) 516, 519, 534. 553, 
Wilson (1817) 516, 551. 

Van Home, Thomas U. 1833. 564. 

Van Wert platted 1835. 557, library 630. 

Van Wert County organized 4, 557. 

VIncennes. Capt. de establishes French mili- 
tary post by Maumee 87. 

VIncennes. Indiana. 135. 138. 154. 159. 

Vistula Village platted (1832) 570-1. 

Vose, Capt. Joslab H. commanded Fort 
Wayne 1817-19 ; religious character of 
205 note. 

Voyageurs, early 81 ( 1747 t 92. 

Wadsworth. Gen. James Samuel 538. 

Waite. Morrison R. 534, 624, Israel, Reuben, 
Silas and William 554. 

Walbridge. hiram (Toledo 1845) 624. 

Waicott, James (1825) 556. 

Wales. Philander (1832) 572. 

Walker, Kev. G. Methodist 1827, 519. 

Walking Purchase paraphrased 375. 

Wallace. Ellas (1825) 561. 

Walton. Joseph (1826) 559. 

Walwortu. Eleanor and Sarah Toledo 1825, 
3()9. John 570. 

Wampler. Joseph (1816) 517. 

Wampum, war belts of 86, 90-2, 99. 106-7. 
117, 130. 137: peace belts and strings 
96. 122. 234-5* uses of 237; 3S5« 

Wapakoneta. Shawnee chief 436, 564. 

Wapakoneia Village 370; council bou.se 371, 
564 : 562» 563* 582. 

Wars, British-French (1813-84) 82 (1689) 
84, Queen Anne's (1702) 87-8, King 
George II. (1744) 88-90, last (1754-60) 
94; British-Aborigine (Pontiacs 1763) 
106-113; Revolutionary (1775-83) 130- 
148; United States-Aborigine (1790-4) 
161-215; War of 1812, 256-362. See 
also under Military movements. 

War-parties of Aborigines, sent by French 
againsi British 92. by British against 
French 93 ; sent by British against Amer- 
icans 130-148. 

Ward. James Defiance (1841) 532, Joseph 
559. Gen. John 560-1. 

\> arren, Thomas 527, 532, Isaac 527. 



INDEX. 



WASHBURN, Samuel 

Washburn, Samuel 561, Daniel 572. 

Waaon, Robert A. Toledo 1867, 625. 

Wasaon, Parmeuas and Robert 527, 533. 

Water, potable from the rocks 14-G ; shal- 
low wellH 45 ; river 443. 

Water Gages, in Maumee River 448-9 note, 
in the Ottawa of the Auglaise 49S note, 
in the Auglaise 504, in the Tiffin 508. 

Watcrhouse. C. C. 1833, 528. 

Waterloo. Indiana, postofBce 582. 

Waterman, Neh. Toledo 1867, 625. 

Waterville, Ohio, postofliee 582. 

Watkins, Joshua (1837) 557. 

Watt, Hudson 560, William 561. 

Wattles, Augustus principal the Kmlen In- 
stitute for negroes 594. 

Wauseon, Ottawa chief 416, 578. 

Wauseon Village 578. library 632. 

Way, George B. and James S. 578. 

Way, Willard V. 587. library 627. 

Wayne, Gen. Anthony chosen commander 
Northwestern Army and issues proclama- 
tion (1792) 177; Aborigines attack his 
convoys 182 ; builds Forts Greenville and 
Recovery (1793) 182; Aborigines attack 
Ft. Recovery and are repulsed 184; dar- 
ing acts of his scouts 186-7 note ; portrait 
of 188* diary of his Maumee campaign 
189-206 ; builds Ft. Adams 189* 190* is 
injured by a falling tree 190 ; builds Ft. 
Defiance 192, 199* 200* wins success in 
Battle of Fallen Timber 193-4, 208-9 ; 
plan of daily encampment 197* names 
applied to by Aborigines 197, 223 ; builds 
Ft. Wayne 203-4* returns to Ft. Green- 
ville 206; reports of 207-24; wins Abor-- 
igines to Treaty at Greenville 219-35 ; 
farewell address at Greenville 234 ; visits 
Secretary of War 237, Detroit 241 ; starts 
on return to Philadelphia and dies at 
Erie, Pa. 241; high character of 182, 241. 

Wayne County organized (1796) 241; great 
extent of 242* divided into four township.< 
246 ; reduced in size 248* 249* ceased to 
exist in Ohio at organization of State 
(1802) 252. 

Waynesfield Village (1816) 564-5. 

Wayneslield Township 520, 551. 

Weather, severe winter 1779-80, 140. 

Weaver, Sherrel (1856) 542. 

Weidenhammer, Benjamin 537. 

Weir, Rev. — Methodist (1825) 531. 

Welch, John ( 1825) 561. 

Wells, deep for natural gas, petroleum, and 
water 9* to 16. 

Wells, Capt. William U. S. Army scout 
186-8; interpreter 233, 389-91. and other 
service to. his country 258-67. 386-9; his 
reservation at Ft. Wayne 97* massacred 
and heart eaten by Aborigine, (1SI2I 
276-7 ; U. S. gives land to his children 
379. 

Weosecah or Wolf, Shawnee chief 394. 



YOUNG, Andrew 

Whipple, Capt. commands Fort Wayne 
(1804) 205. 388-9, J. P. 554. 

Whistler. Capt. John commands Fort Wayne 
205. 276, Fort Larnoult Detroit 267, Fort 
Barbee 205. 

Whitney, Frances Maria Toledo (1825) 
5G9-70, Noah A. 569-70, 573, James M. 
and Michael T. 572. 

Wickham, John C. 1828, 553, 593. 

Wilcox, Ashbell (1837) 553. 

Wilds, Jonathan K. 1833, 564. 

Wilkins, Maj. John army against Pontiac's 
warriors meets disaster 112. 

Wilkinson, Gen. James suspicioned 156 ; ex- 
pedition against hostiles 169-70 ; visits 
field of St. Clair's defeat and buries re- 
mains of soldiers 175 ; sends peace mes- 
sengers to Maumee where they are mur- 
dered 178 ; in Gen. Wayne's campaign 209 ; 
succeeds Gen. Wayne in command N. W. 
Army 2^7. 241 ; receives visit from secret 
emissaries of France and Spain 245 ; takes 
possession of Spanish forts 246. 

Wilkinson. boat-Capt. Jacob 512, 519, boat- 
Capt. David 516. 

Williams County, organized 4, 528; in 1826, 
533-6 ; first court house 534* capitol 
moved from Defiance to Bryan 536. 

Williams, Jesse L. 1832, 602. 

Willshire platted 556, postofflce 582. 

Wilson, Ishmael Defiance (1837) 537, Eben- 
ezer 553, William 570. 

Winchester, Gen. James given command N. 
W. Army (1812) 274; arrives at Ft. 
Wayne 282-3 ; letters to Gov. Meigs 285, 
295 ; order of march down Maumee 285-6 ; 
loss of scouts 286 ; meets advance line of 
British 286 ; fords Maumee 287* arrives 
at Defiance 288 ; his five camps 191* 288, 
290-1* 295-6* 297* receives Gen. Har- 
rison 289 ; appointed coinmander Left 
Wing N. W. Army 290 ; builds Fort Win- 
chester 290-3* mistakes of 292, 305-11 ; 
marches down Maumee ■ 305-6 ; builds Fort 
Deposit (No. 2) 308-9* advances to River 
Raisin 308-10 ; defeat of by British and 
Aborigines 310 ; again taken prisoner 311 ; 
at Mobile (1815) resignation and death of 
311 note, 

Winnemac, Winnemeg or Catfish, hostile 
Pottawotami chief 232, 260, 281, 302, 436. 

Wolves, extinction of 1 ; taxes paid with the 
botinty on their scalps 534. 

Wood, Col. Eleazer D. builds Fort Meigs by 
lower Maumee (1813) 314-16. 

Wood. Emilus 518, Christopher 559. 561, 
John G. and Joseph 559. 

Wood County organized 4, 519. 

Woodcox. Benjamin B. 545. 

Wyoming massacre, Maumee Aborigines par- 
ticipate in 133. 

Young, Andrew (1845) 518. 



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